The Takbo.Ph Runfest

I have been planning to run for the Takbo.ph Runfest since last year, but my run mates decided to run for another fun run so I was not able to join. But this year, I told myself that I will definitely join the Takbo.ph runfest. As early as April, when I heard that registration for the run is open, I headed to a registration site and registered. 

June 13, 2014, Sunday, as early as four in the morning the streets of BGC become a sea of blue with the runners who have joined the Takbo.ph Runfest. There are three event distances – the 5 km, 10 km and 21 km. Again for the nth time I am running for the 10km distance. Gun start for the 21k is at 4:00 A.M., for the 10km it was 5:30 A.M. and for the 5km it was 5:40 A.M.

 The sun was already up at five in the morning that you will already feel its scorching heat. But nevertheless, it didn’t stop the runners. At the 2km mark, I was already thirsty but there was still no water station to drink. I think the water station was at the 2.5km mark. It was refreshing to drink the water specially when the weather was so hot and you can feel that you are drenched with your sweat. At the 7^th km and 8^th km, instead of water, energy drinks were the ones given. It was just the right timing to regain your strength to finish the last 3 kilometers of the race.

Because the race was held at BGC, the traffic in the area was severely affected. There are lots of intersections to cross from and you can hear the honking of the impatient drivers. There are times that you will be running with speeding trucks and buses at the area. Good thing is that there are lots of marshals in the area to provide enough security and safety for the runners. The marshals are also very lively and cheery, especially the girls, who will encourage you to continue running. There are also enough markers in the area, showing where to make a turn and indicating the distances.

After 1 hour and 24 minutes of running, I reached the finish line where, marshals are waiting to tag you with the time and to give you a medal.

Taking a Bite at Slice

Slice is introduced to me by a friend while we are at Serendra, hungry and looking for some place to eat. Slice is located at the 7^th Ave., corner 29^th St. West Superblock at the Ground Floor of Bonifacio High Street, besides Jamba Juice and Cotton On.

Slice is a small store that has a homey feeling. But this small store will surprise you with the variety and arrays of cakes, cupcakes, cookies and beverages.

Aside from the display of cakes, you will also be awed by the posters and pictures displayed at Slice. You will see pictures of Sen. Pia Cayetano, who owns the place, and her different adventures. One that caught my attention is that they are because there is no wi-fi so they encourage you to talk with each other instead. They also have magazine that you can read while enjoying a sip of their drinks.

what cake should I choose?

For our dinner we ordered, a slice chips that is composed of thinly sliced banana and potato chips together with an aioli dip. The chips although thinly sliced is tasty and soft that is not hard to bite. Although the potato chips are covered with cheese powder, it will not stick into your hand.

a bowl of chips

We also ordered for a Seafood Puttanesca, which according to the waiter is one of their bestseller. And she is not lying with it as being one of the bestseller. The pasta is covered with squid ink and has shrimps and salmon. There is no “umay” as we shared a huge plate of the pasta. We are three in the group and one serving of the pasta is enough to satisfy our hunger.

the Seafood Puttanesca

Of course our meal will not be complete if we won’t order some cakes. For the cakes we ordered a slice of the Tres Leches and Double Choco Yema. Tres Leches has a ultra-moist bread that will melt in your mouth. It is creamy like a leche flan and has a sweet taste. The Double Choco Yema on the other hand is a chocolate cake with yema between the two layers of bread. The yema is nicely complemented by the chocolate ganache covering the cake. The slices of the two cakes are also big that we don’t mind sharing it.

the creamy Tres Leches

the sinfully Double Choco Yema

Aside from pasta and cakes, Slice offers breakfast meals that are served all day. They also have salads, burgers and sandwiches and rice meals. 

jars of cookies and cupcakes

Escapes near the City

Summer is over and some of us still have the hang-over of the beach, the out of town adventures, travelling and lots of stuff. But because of the rainy season is here, it’s not that easy anymore to get out of the city, travel, go to a quiet place, enjoy some water and relax. Luckily there are places inside and near Metro Manila where we can still spend time quietly, relax and enjoy other things than the beach.

Binagonan-Angono Petroglyphs

The Binangonan-Angono Petroglyphs is a National Cultural Treasure as it shows the primitive form of art of the Filipinos. The cave of the petroglyph was first discovered by National Artist, Carlos “Botong” Francisco in 1965. To preserve and restore this national treasure, the National Museum opened a museum in the place showcasing artifacts, paintings and animal fossils. Aside from the historical artifacts and the petroglyphs, the place also has rich faunas and since it is located inside the Thunderbird Resorts you will also enjoy the scenery.

Mondays-Fridays / 9:00 am - 4:00 pm;

Saturdays, Sundays and holidays by appointment
Contact Information:
ASBMD, National Museum Central Office; 527-4192
email: nm_asbmd@yahoo.com

How to get there: Ride an Angono bound jeepney but be sure to ask the driver if they would pass the Scrapyard Resort and Balaw-Balaw as this will be your drop-off point. Upon reaching Scrapyard Resort or Balaw-Balaw, hire a tricycle to take you to the petroglyphs or as more commonly known by the locals as the “kweba”. Tricycle fee is Php 300 (one-way). Reminder, don’t bring heavy baggage and the maximum passenger capacity of the tricycle is 2 persons; the road is too steep and it may be difficult for the tricycle to climb the road. 

Sierra Madre Hotel and Resort

It’s been three years since I went to Sierra Madre Resort in Tanay, Rizal. Located at the foot of Sierra Madre, the resort is a place of tranquility as it offers you a nice view of the mountain and fresh air. The resort also is very affordable with room costs staring at Php 1,500 for a non-air-conditioned room that is good for 2-3 persons. Although there is no air-condition this is no problem since the weather is cold because of its location in the mountain. The resort’s amenities include a swimming pool, a falls, zipline, horseback riding, convention center, prayer house, restaurant and a lot more.  

Sierra Madre Hotel and Resort is located at Km 58 Marcos Hi-way Mayagay Tanay Rizal

Telephone Nos. 913-2001 or 697-4321 and look for Vet, Don or Cha.

How to get there: From Cubao, ride a jeep going to Cogeo gate 2 and alight at the market. From the market ride a jeep bound to Sampaloc and tells the driver to drop you off at Sierra Madre Resort.

Pinto Art Museum

The Pinto Art Museum is located at Antipolo City. The museum showcases paintings and sculptures from various Filipino artists. The museum’s galleries are full of paintings that will leave you in awe about the creativity and ingenuity of the Filipino artists. The museum also has spacious and luscious gardens that have an over view of the city and some parts of Antipolo. If you get hungry while wandering around the museum, there is a café inside that can satisfy your gastronomical cravings.

Pinto Art Gallery is located at Number 1, Sierra Madre St., Grand Heights, Antipolo City, Rizal, Philippines.

Gallery is open Wednesdays to Sundays, with gallery hours from 9am to 6pm. Special tours are by appointment only.

Telefax:  63-2-6971015

How to get there: From Crossing in Mandaluyong you need to ride a jeep bound to Antipolo, Tanay and asks the driver to drop you at Ynares Gym in Antipolo. From Ynares Gym ride a tricycle and tell the driver about Pinto Art Musem. 

University of the Philippines

If you did not want to leave the city, you should try to visit the University of the Philippines in Diliman Quezon City. Known as home of the scholars of the Philippines, UP does not only offer good quality education but also a place of tranquility and relaxation. The very wide UP campus has a museum, observatory/planetarium, various sculptures including the ever famous oblation statue and the sunflower gardens.