120- Send Over The Flowers

Things like this tend to be subjective, but from where I stand, 2016 has been a year full of grief, specifically in terms of the passing away of cultural icons.

The latest victim of this worrisome trend was actress Carrie Fisher, who died after going through a cardiac event en route to Los Angeles, USA. It's times like this when you have to question what God must have been thinking when he weighed the balancing of fragility and power when he created man. All throughout our lives, we struggle to be at one with comfort, with safety, with utter security. We do this all while knowing that we will one day kick the bucket, whether we like it or not. Why even bother, right? Well, having good quality of life is one reason. If one is to be resigned to the fact that he/she will one day die, then he/she might as well do everything he/she can to make his/her swim in life's fishbowl the best dip anyone could possibly imagine. Work with what you have. That is the name of the game. Work with what you have and make it grow into something magical.

Where I'm from, the government has managed to cheapen the value of life. It's come at us akin to a sickening thud after your head gets clocked by a frying pan. At the end of the day, any self-respecting person would come to the understanding that it would be absolutely wrong to surrender. Scream at the top of your lungs from the top of a skyscraper. Never give up. Tell life to send the flowers in advance because you want to want to be able to enjoy the said flowers, not have them sent to you when you're dead.

Amidst all of the doom and gloom that this year's brought on, we all ought to grab a drink and toast to never, ever, thinking that our song could ever possibly stop playing.

The musicians on the Titanic kept going. You and I can (and should), too.

MC

118- Lazarus

Shame that I could not take photos, as doing such was barred.

Lazarus felt like watching an extended David Bowie music video. My artistic mind, not absent of any interest in the craft, nor totally ignorant of it, tried  very hard to decode the meanings behind what was put on stage before. Maybe it was because I hadn't bothered to research on the story of "The Man Who Fell to Earth", or, perhaps it was because I had not eaten a proper lunch before entering King's Cross Theatre. A viewer would need to have a very keen eye for detail, and some background knowledge on Bowie beyond the usual in order to not get lost in the initial, euphoric, throes of Lazarus. The use of some Bowie classics such as Heroes and Sound and Vision in the production made me smile. The confusion etched across the face of Thomas Newton, the play's main character. His yearning to be free, and him being forlorn from his one true love- all of it was akin to a rusty steak knife being thrust through your back. Not fun if you're the stabbee. Acting to marvel at if you are part of the theatre audience.

I have around a year to go in London, and while some days have been gloomy, with timescales difficult to measure and manage due to short days and longer nights, having great art within arm's length is something that helps keep me sane. That, and healthy food being readily available in groceries (Philippine supermarkets are not as accomodating).

I have always been a fan old David Bowie- especially of portions of his work from the 70s and 80s. Having watched Lazarus today, though, made me realize that I have a lot more to learn about a man who was more myth than mortal, a bit more alien than Earthling.

What if we are all swimming around perpetually in fishbowl, a tank

117- Rogue One

I just watched Rogue One in East London. I must say- the film ranks among the highest in terms of storytelling and plot development, in the Star Wars saga. 

Casual fans might view the film as just another sci-fi flick, but longtime followers of the series will surely be able to appreciate the tie ins both to the prequels and the original trilogy. The casting, the cinematography, and script were all spot on. For the more nostalgic of us, the filmmakers even managed to pick out Peter Cushing from mothballs, and make Carrie Fisher young again. What's not to like? 

The chemistry between Felicity Jones and Diego Luna was perfect for their roles as purveyors of a revolution set against seemingly insurmountable odds (sounds familiar, I know). Donnie Yen and his martial arts added a unique twist to the good guys' fighting character, and a planets new and old made for both fresh start, and a trip down memory lane. 

I liked the fact that despite the rebel alliance having been able to successfully transmit the Death Star plans, those who had to take the fall, did. Star Wars has never been afraid to put forth endings which don't taste of candy and nuts. The word hope was thrown around a lot over the course of the film, and sometimes, hope comes at a steep price. The steep price was paid by the good guys in the end, but one can rest easy on the fact that their sacirifces did lead to eventual triumph in Episode 6. 

The next couple of Star Wars installments should make for intriguing filmmaking. There has already been talk of a Han Solo movie, and all sorts of rumors for Episode 8. I, as a Star Wars fanatic, cannot wait for what will happen next. One would be silly to bet against the space opera series at this point.

All bets are in for big gains- unless they bring back Hayden and Jar Jar. 

MC

116- Parklife

If there's one thing I like about living in London, it would have to be the prevalence of parks where one can just sit, contemplate, and watch adorable doggies zip by.

There is a severe lack of safe, clean, open public space in Manila, where I am originally from. Manila suffers from poor urban planning in general. I have often joked with close friends that one of the wishes I would have a genie help me out with would be for him to magically clear Manila so that builders could start over and put things in the proper order.

A pipe dream, friends, a pipe dream. It is free to dream so I might as well cash in on my dream voucher.

Photo: Southwark Park, December 14, 3pm. By Miguel Cortez

115-Homeland

Do you go home when you miss home or keep both eyes focused forward the entire time?

I am not quitting. Just looking for a break.

MC

114- Postcards from Home

Dear Migi,

Figgie misses you.

Love,
Fig

Fig the dog sends happy poetry from home.

Photo C/O Becky Cortez

113- Battersea Park Knowledge

Don't forget to do this once in a while. Slow down. Slow down.

112B- Revivial

It's about time that I revived this blog.

Chiming in from London, folks.

112A- The Long Journey Upward

I am about to move my butt to London. Am I nervous? A little bit. Am I excited? That I am too.

It sucks that I won't be able to take certain people/things with me, but ultimately, this stands to be a truly enriching experience.

To the next year!

MC

112- Change is Coming

Today is a special day in the history of the Philippines. Today, the world has witnessed the installation into office of the 16th President of the Republic, President Rodrigo "Rody" Roa Duterte.
Duterte is the first Commander-in-Chief to hail from the Mindanao region, and the first, more specifically, to have been born and raised in Davao City. Mr. Duterte had previously been a Congressman, Mayor, and City Prosecutor, prior to assuming the highest post in the Philippine government.

Duterte's tenure in Davao has been much publicized for being all about progress, but "Digong", as he is affectionately known, has not been without his share of critics. People have lauded Duterte's swiftness in terms of implementing policies, and his purportedly unwavering political will, but, have sometimes scoffed at his seemingly blaise attitude towards economic and foreign policies, his adversarial stance towards the Catholic Church and the Philippine Commission on Human Rights, his inflammatory remarks towards women and those in the media, and the Davao Death Squad- a group that he is said to control towards putting lawless elements on ice- sans any mercy and sans any days in court. We definitely have a bit of a mixed bag of nuts with our incumbent Head-of-State.

I personally did not vote for Davao's favorite son, but, now that he is in power, I wish him all the best, and will show my love for the land of my birth by supporting his policies which stand to benefit the nation- especially those who lie at the fringes of society (thank you, VP Leni).

Change is coming- for better or worse. The President said it himself- it's going to be a bumpy ride.

Let's stay ready and stay vigilant.

MC

Fire in my Eyes

Is it normal to think that everything is pretty whenever you go abroad, to a place that is progressive and startlingly different from one's native land? Call it the "Fire in My Eyes" syndrome. Everything seen through the prism of the FME is shiny, new, and tastes of chocolate mixed with rhum. All is well in this part of the world.

View from a Ngong Ping 360 cable car. There's just something about Hong Kong that makes me want to keep coming back. From March 2016.

Views at sundown from the Kota Kinabalu Boardwork- Oceanus Mall Side. Nothing super spectacular about the place per se, but, the sights over the horizon more than made up for the surroundings' lack of sparkle. From May 2016. 

Here's another one from my personal collection. From April 2013. From Montecasino, Italy. 

These eyes, this mind, has a seen a lot, and craves to see even more. For all the ugliness there tends to be in this world, at least God's given us one thing to look forward to- to experience a renewed sense of beauty whenever we travel. So you see, things aren't always all that bad. 

MC

111- Discord

Being sick is frustrating. While "consolation" is good, the competitive beast in us says that second best is the exact opposite of "best". It ultimately feels like a concession for the weak.

I remember running in Hong Kong. I don't know why, but, when I try to recall how it would feel to run pain free, and sans any worries about heart or "hand", I feel annoyed. Recently, I've had to do deal with some health issues which have derailed me. I remember doing the Philippine Skyway, and running through Roxas Boulevard in Manila, with relative ease. Where the heck has all that strength gone to?

There are minor hurdles, and there are challenges larger than life. While this hasn't quite come down to life and death, it has come down to itch and scratch. That bothers me. I need to get past this quick.

MC

110- Observations

I have been to quite a few places in my time. With every trip, comes a host of things I observe about places and the people who reside in it. 

Do you notice things in similar contexts, too? These aren't based on any scientific theories or statistics. The statements below have been given life purely through "sensory perception". 

1) Singapore- How do they keep the trains so clean? My point of reference are the train stations in my country (The Philippines). Is it a matter of having a fatter budget, or, a healthy amount of will re: implementation? 

2) Amsterdam, The Netherlands- When walking through the red light district, the girls you would see in the streetside "booths" always look so excited. Are they high? Are they genuinely thrilled? Are they sex addicts themselves? I wonder. 

3) Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur- KL looks like a city on the crossroads of progress, and the old world. Some districts are awash with shopping malls and covered by Malaysia's modern train systems. Some others, have low skylines and look more like old school Kampongs. 

4) Rome, Italy- For such a beautiful city, there seem to be a lot of vagrants going around. I once got lost in Rome at night, and while I still found myself marveling at ancient buildings and cobblestone roads as I walked, I also found myself scrambling for safety after passing an alley where a bunch of junkies had decided to hang out. Superb. Stuff. 

5) Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia- Filipinos often find themselves complaining about pedestrian behavior in places like Manila, and how our government has failed us with regards to providing the proper infrastructure for ease and safety on the streets. 

Anyone who has ever lived or visited KK would know that a lot of the time, there aren't real organized pedestrian lanes around, nor are there any lights to guide commuters to and from streets. 

Sabah also does not boast of a mass rapid transit system, ergo, people need to either take taxis (which in the long run prove to be quite costly), or, go head-to-head with a bus system that is not the easiest to wrap one's head around (especially if you're a first time visitor). 

Maybe it's just me, but, something about KK's transport system could be better. 

6) Bangkok, Thailand- The streets smell of a mix of exhaust fumes and incense. Grub in food courts- superb. Is it just me, or, could we, as a people, do so much more with Philippine food centres? Anthony Bourdain once said that in the US, food courts have become synonymous with mediocre food. Not in places like Bangkok (and incidentally, Singapore). Absolutely not. 

7)  Chicago, USA- Chicago was the first city I really got to explore in the United States. During my first trip over in June of 2009, everything seemed to be bigger, and better. One of the tenets I learned about during that trip of 10 days was that, first time visitors to the States need to be reminded that bigger is NOT always better, especially for someone with a bum stomach, or, someone on a diet, for that matter. 

In Chicago did I see some of the largest plates of food known to man. 

8) Coralville, Iowa, USA- Lush cityscapes. Some parts utterly bucolic. Fresh air. Quiet. Iowa. Beautiful. 

9) Hong Kong, China- For a city teeming with so many people, it's amazing how things can remain "organized". 

10) Las Vegas, Nevada, USA- So there were topless girls on the strip, along with people who looked like druggies. From buildings carved out of gold, to nude pool parties, to Elvis, Elvis, Elvis, Las Vegas is a decadent bloke's dream. 

Always try to absorb anything, and everything, you see while on the road. You'll never know- you might find the meaning of life in a fishbowl- or, in a field full of trees and ponies. 

MC

109- Vote with your TASTEBUDS

                                   Choose among these amazing candidates. :) Malacca, 2013. 

The Philippines has just finished with electing a new set of local and national officials. The exercise has been painstaking, for sure,

Choosing what to eat can also be a challenging exercise. Just like electing the right President.

Take the menu from Cendol Jeni Basar in Malacca, Malaysia, for instance. All the entrees look so good, so delicious. All the choices look so, well, beneficial to your mind and body.

Indecision never looked so wonderful. :)

MC

108- The Borneo International Marathon

I have just recently arrived from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. My primary purpose for going there was to participate in the Borneo International Marathon. The said race was my first international run, and while the weather and course was similar what you might see in, say, Nuvali in Laguna, Philippines, the fact that it happened across the ocean from my home country made the experience extra special. It was not my best run time wise, but, I would say that finishing it ended up being one of the most satisfying running experiences in recent memory.

Honestly, the runner in me hasn't been quite at 100% in the last few weeks (ever since I fell ill for a week in April). Maybe it's been a mental battle, or a physical one, or a mix of both. Whatever the case, having finished the Borneo International Marathon represents a step in the right direction. Back into a state of utmost focus, if you will.

More on Kota Kinabalu in future entries, but for now, I'd like to continue to bask in the glow of the Sabah running sun.

Happy To Have Been There,
MC

107- The Long Fall.

Keppel Bay on a warm summer day. 2015. 

I feel lousy. I feel uninspired. 

This meandering journey of emotions on the down low must stop. 

I recently read an article on life hacks for travel addicts confined to their office desks. 

Why delay the inevitable? First off, though, what is the "inevitable"? 

Death is inevitable, and so are taxes. 

The "inevitable" may also refer to the unequivocal decay of, first, your mind, then, your spirit. 

The inevitable, as described here, is akin to falling. Imagine yourself slowly falling off of a cliff. In the moments before you get splattered across a bed of sharp rocks, or, unforgiving concrete, your entire life flashes before you. You remember everyone you've ever loved, hated, spoken with, traveled with, shared an office with, etc. You remember those closest to you, and what they might perceive off of your untimely, and gruesome, death. 

At some point, you think of the misses- and the hits. You think of the opportunities in your life lost to fear, and some others, lost to circumstance. You wonder if you had become more of a victim of coincidence, and, a perfectly controllable incident. 

You detest routine. Your body language has always spoken of it, but, you've denied yourself the privilege of following your heart. You could never mustered up the courage to give the world the finger and do what you've always really wanted to do. 

Why not drop everything and fly? Because you can't. Because there are always practical considerations behind every action, and moment of inaction. 

As you draw closer to hitting the ground, you realize that maybe, just maybe, in your moment of confusion, you had forgotten to ask the simplest of questions. 

"Why wait any longer?" 

You hit the ground anyway, and when you do, you wake up. It was all a bad dream. 

Hope. It's something you should always have. That's easier said than done, especially when everything seems as if it's bound to end with a long descent into the proverbial abyss, but then, if you don't have hope, what else can you claim to have as a weapon against the monsters of daily existence? 

Don't fall unless you fall. Never mistake falling with flight. 

Never mistake yet another opportunity at salvation with "the end". 

MC

106- The One You Lost

                                       It's a lot like wandering aimlessly in Changi Airport. 


Screenwriters and pocketbook enthusiasts know all about the drama behind the line, "the one you left behind".

I think we all have something, or someone, we can consider to be the "one" we "have left behind". The entire process behind recalling who, or what, this is all about can be best described as a painful, painful, endeavor. It can be painful because of the heartbreaking memories these things tend to stir up, but at the same time, it can also be because thinking of stuff like this can tend to be so PAINFULLY AIMLESS and boring.

Imagine wandering pointlessly through an airport. For the sake of discussion, yes, choose a glamorous airport. Think Incheon International, or Changi. You go through all the shops, buy a few bags of chocolate, get yourself a bottle of designer cologne, and yet, still feel empty inside. You have a 9 hour layover in this diamond-encrusted nest for the weary, so, hold on, you aren't getting out easy.

So near, yet, so far. That's how it can all seem sometimes. 2 dogs in Ngong Ping, Hong Kong. 

You could the minutes, the seconds, until you board the steel glider and go to who-knows-where. You feel like crying after consuming your 5th fruit slushie, agast at how much dough you've shell out for what is, essentially, sugar, water, and food coloring. You open up your wallet and take a glance at a faded photograph. You realize that YOU were wrong. You realize that SHE too was wrong. In short, you both gave yourself chopsticks shorter than the length prescribed by your Sifu. Not good. 

You want the "Goodbye my Love" to stop. You want the stereo to shut down in the candy store, in the frequent flyers' lounge, and in YOUR HEAD. You want to stop slathering the late Teresa Teng in anger. She was too pretty and her voice, too golden, to be equated with spite in any shape or form.

Boarding time. You relish the idea of finally settling into the plane and heading to where you need to go (or so you think). You tell yourself that it will all be over soon. Exquisite-looking, shapely, flight attendants pass by you and glance at you with smiles- but none of that blood warming stuff could ever compare to what SHE made you feel. Yours had both desire, and love, all rolled into one.  

You shut your eyes, imagine azure skies ahead. But then, you get perturbed by this: 

"Ladies and gentlemen, we would like to inform you that this flight will be delayed due to the need for our flight technicians to inspect the engine on this aircraft. As part of aviation policy, we will have to request everyone to deplane in an orderly fashion. You will then be led by ground staff to a corresponding holding area where you will be asked to wait until further notice. Please do not hesitate to approach our ground staff should you need any further assistance."

You sigh. You grab your sling bag and just let out a weary sigh. You're back where you started. 

Time to ponder- again. 

Being lost, when thinking of something or someone you've lost, can tend to be tedious. 

Tedious. Tiring. 

What a trip. 

MC

105- Food Dreams and Memories

                 Char Kway Teow from Old Airport Road Hawker Center, Singapore. March 2015.


The day's finally come.

After missing out of the the WSFC in Singapore in previous years, the World Street Food Congress has finally come to my hometown, Manila. While I don't really fancy queuing up in the heat to sample food that's even hotter, bear one thing in mind- good things come to those who wait. Patience is a virtue after all- yada, yada, yada.

I have fond memories and Singapore and Malaysia the cuisines of the region. I have fond memories of me eating with my cousin, significant other, and friends (most of whom have been locals) in hawker centers and restaurants in the aforementioned countries. Some of the best moments are those formed without you necessarily thinking that such moments will end up comprising parts of stories you will tend to go back to over and over again in the future. Most times, you think of certain meet ups and trysts to specialty outlets simply as special walks, runs, and fly-bys to help you while away time.

Before you know it, you have to haul yourself to the airport, and fly back into the spike filled arms of reality.

Bet you wish could get back those mugs of pulled tea and beef rendang now, huh?

Maybe I should correct myself. Maybe I would be willing to queue up at the World Street Food Congress for a plate or two of the good stuff. I just need to make sure I have a bottle of water and a decent companion with me while I'm at it.

And with that, everyone goes home happy- and full.

MC

104- Off of Sick Bay

At first, coffee and a piece of danish like this from GTower Hotel Kuala Lumpur's Buffet Breakfast would seem to be quite scrumptuous, but then, being ill- with a systemic viral infection, no less, would work to dull anyone's appetite. 

I have just come off of sick bay. This boy just went through the ringer. A fever, colds, nasal congestion, and whole host of other things later, and, well, I feel like a newly groomed dog- with a bad owner. 

This past week has given me time off of the computer (my eyes and head couldn't take the radiation), and time to reflect on the future. 

Destiny. It's a grand thing. It is said, contrary to what popular culture would state, that our personal destinies are always under our control. I believe that we always are in control of where we end up, and it would be foolish to think otherwise. Fatalism can be the stuff stale tofu is made of. 

                                                

      Way over Jonker. One Flintstone-sized Pineapple Tart in Jonker Street, Malacca. I was there in December 2013. 

My destiny has spoken to me about seeing the world. My destiny has spoken of me going to the extent of arranging a bit of subterfuge with the agents of ennui, intellectual stagnation, and settling for satisfactory cakes. You never settle for a satisfactory cake. You always have to go for the most savory, the most freshly basked, the most satisfying bit of pastry you can get your grubby little hands on. 

Of it you're like me, you can try your hand at a low fat, low sugar, treat. Real dieters don't mind the subtractions. 

Seriously, though, being ill can do a lot of strange things to your mind- like, make you want to wander and never come "home". 

Then again, is it really that queer to dream of flight, or, is it but natural to bring out the inner Icarus in you, once in a while?

It's good to be bothered sometimes. 

MC 

103- Let's Talk About Freedom

Me at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel, in Chicago, Illinois

In 2009, I flew over to Chicago, Illinois. That was my first trip to the United States. 

Everything seemed so big, so bright, so incredible. The US tends to have that effect on first time visitors. 

Seven years after that trip, I find myself, truly, madly, listlessly in love with the idea of "leaving everything behind". 

Some might say that I need saving. I think that the only person, or thing, that needs saving is the concept of utter conformity. 

We conform because we want stability. What happens, though, when the idea of stability comes in the form of something more dynamic, something more, mercurial, than just "making ends meet"? 

That's when you know that you need to get the hell out of your box and see the world. 

MC

102- "The End of the Road"

From the Singapore Art Gallery, 2013. 

I have followed the exploits of Anthony Bourdain for years, and in many of his shows, he talks about the "End of the Road". 

Bourdain is a nomad, and a bit of an iconoclast. His is a life many are envious of- seemingly ennui free, in perpetual motion, and teeming with constant thrills. I am sure there are practical difficulties which Mr. Bourdain and others like him deal with constantly, but all in all, flying around "experiencing" life sure beats a typical 9-5. 

Tony has spoken about the "End of the Road" a lot, especially during his trips to Asia. The "End of the Road" refers to concept, an notion that after logging in an enumerable amount of mileage, one finds himself inevitably asking "why" and "where". I find myself in a similar situation now. 

Why am I still on my little island? 

Why am I still compromising? 

If I demand that my contract with compromise be rescinded, can others come with me on my trek to liberty? Upon what cushion (or pavement) will I land? 

Singapore looks fine, and so does the United States. Maybe I could just stay home in Manila. Then again, that would be anticlimactic. 

Japan or Hong Kong would be nice. I'd like to end up somewhere progressive, and someplace where I can harness my skills to the fullest, and bring my passions to the fore without restraint. 

There's an old saying that beseeches people to be careful what they wish for. This holds true in many situations. There are instances, however, when risks bring forth much fuller rewards than do decisions to "play it safe".

My fingers are crossed. My passport however, is in my "speed dial" pocket. 

MC 

101- Light Over Dark

Before you react to the title of this post, take a deep breath.

We've all been to places around the world wherein one's gleeful tourist experience is constantly threatened by an impending downpour of bad luck.

Thieves.

The loss of important travel documents.

Swindlers in night markets.

Poor food at exorbitant prices.

Luckily, I haven't gotten in any trouble while on the road. I do, however, have been a part of some funny situations.

This is funny. This is happily unexpected. Tsui Wah, Victoria Peak Branch, Hong Kong. 

Whenever things look bleak, stay calm, think on your feet, and appreciate the little smiles in your neck of the woods. 

Transcend, 

MC

100- Hong Kong

No matter what happens, I always find myself returning to Hong Kong.

                                     Easter Sunday somewhere in the Sai Ying Pun neighborhood

I have been to Hong Kong 5 different times in my life, and after everything, I still find myself wanting to see more. Every trip has felt different, with my latest sojourn being the one wherein, I feel, I managed to explore and take in a whole lot- but not nearly enough.

One of my goals for my recent trip was to try and experience Hong Kong more from the perspective of a local. This M.O. lead to me choosing a hotel in one of the island's older neighborhoods- Sai Ying Pun- to be my base of operations. I had a first timer with me on this trip, hence, I ended up going back to some "touristy" joints instead of exploring Sai Ying Pun more, but hey, just having the archaic buildings and weathered alleyways around me- the same ones seen by generations of locals- was enough for me to see this year's Hong Kong journey in a slightly different light.

There was our tryst to Ngong Ping 360. Now, I am by no means a guy who relishes heights, and this place can be classified as "touristy", but, the sights seen up in the mountains were enough to cleanse us of any cornball oil that tourist traps tend to bring forth.

In short, the place was quite beautiful.

Yes, the sky was overcast for most of the day, but still, being amongst the clouds was quite breathtaking. 

Striking a pose amidst thick fog- and very, very, cold wind. 

Every visit to Hong Kong is different, and yet, each instance is littered with familiar tidbits which make the place feel like home. 

Must do's in Hong Kong are: 

Riding the iconic Star Ferry. At 2-3 HKD, you get to tread the waters of Hong Kong harbor on a true classic. 

Visiting Victoria Peak and the areas adjacent to it. To avoid the tourist rush, I recommend that you walk around arterial roads such as Findlay Path and Old Peak Road instead of paying extra to enter the Peak view deck. You get the same/similar views plus a good work out via option A. 

What's a trip to Hong Kong without going on a dimsum run, right? Taken here is my final lunch in Hong Kong. Scrumptuous eats from the Hau Fook Group Restaurant in Mongkok. 

Find time to eschew the hustle and bustle of Central and Tsim Tsa Tsui and take in Hong Kong's older districts. Taken here is part of Queen's Road West, on the afternoon of Easter Sunday. This photo is telling of the impending invasion of the "new" in more traditional, old school, neighborhood life. Dimsum and noodle stands now exist side-by-side with sports apparel stores and branches of Mannings and a bevy of electronic retail brands. This may be seen as a boon or a bane- depending on the perspective taken. 

Exercise, walk, run. Experience the city you're in at a pace different from your usual. I choose to do this through walking endlessly through neighborhoods, and yes, training. I run, run, and run some more. My recent trip to Hong Kong saw me run in the Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun districts (apart from walking pretty much everywhere else). Here is a photo snapped from my Easter Sunday training session in Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park. I later made my way to Victoria Park in Tin Hau also for a last minute sprint session. 

Make sure you have time to take in a cultural show. My answer to the incessant beckoning of the proverbial cultural muse brought me to the Hong Kong Cultural Center for a concert by the Hong Kong Symphony Orchestra. Previous to watching this program, I had only watched symphony concerts online and on television. This was a great treat. :) 

The Hong Kong International Film Festival was also on when I was in town. Unfortunately, no time could be spared from my hectic itinerary to catch a flick or two (this is something I regret a wee bit right now). 


I could mention shopping here too, but hey, that would make my piece a bit too cliche.

5 times over, and I still find myself wanting to see, and experience, more. There are always smells from another food stall, new malls and museums to explore, new trails and districts to run through (New Territories, I have seen parts of you, but not you naked enough), new people to meet, and new images to tattoo onto one's consciousness. Hong Kong is such a dynamic city that the more discerning visitor will never run out of new dreams to grasp.

I always find myself itching to hop back on a plane to somewhere as soon as I get off of a plane that's seemingly gone everywhere.

In the case of my love affair with Hong Kong, and with the orient in general, I'd have both hands up for a repeat. As of this piece's writing, I can confidently say that I'd go back to Hong Kong at the drop of a hat, simply because the rhythm and the rhyme of the place, speak to me. When something begins to touch the very heart of you, for one reason or the other, you know that something right is going on.

Find Hong Kong on the map and break loose. No ifs and buts. No yawning, no ennui. May constant movement and indescribable energy, guide you.

Absolutely no regrets. Thank you for visiting.

MC

99- The Dream Realized.

Some people scoff at the notion of torturing one's feet for 42.195 kilometers.

"Why do something like that to yourself?"

"Why do it knowing that you'll ache like hell afterwards?"

"Why run when you can just do something 'easier' to stay fit?"

Well, the crux of all the madness associated with running is the concept of challenging one's self, and pushing one's self beyond one's "perceived boundaries".

I did it. And I feel fantastic about it.

Thank you, TBR, for giving me the opportunity to climb up a notch.

Run on!

MC

THIS KISS, THIS KISS. 

(PHOTO BY STEPH TATEL)

98- Joy.

With Steph and our super pal Bianca at Unilab and the Philippine Rheumatology Association's "Rayuma Run" 2016

Like a lot of people who are addicted to running, I try to follow a training schedule to keep me focused.

When I train, I work to equate my effort with a sense of joy. Joy is a powerful driving force. Without joy, you can tend to regress into a sense of complacency about how far, and how strongly, you can go.

Running provides me with a sense of freedom and bliss which I'd be hard pressed to find in a lot of other aspects of living. Training solo provides me with enough space to collect my thoughts and calm my soul. Staying fit, of course, is a huge benefit that comes as a result of the constant training.

I've participated in athletic endeavors in the past, activities that one would normally associate with guys (basketball, weight training, etc.). Running and running well requires a different sort of discipline, though.

With my first 42km run coming up in less than 48 hours, I can't help but feel nervous, but happy, too, that God's given me the strength to run like I do.

It's quite pleasant to view my running journey "in retrospect". At the same time, I can't rest on my laurels too much. My tryst is far from over.

The prospect of experiencing new things, running new trails and paths, with the wind blowing against my face, is enough to make me want to keep moving, keep going strong.

That is what "joy" is all about.

MC

97- Dream Running Destinations

Every runner has dream running destinations. Mine are the following:

 1) Rome
 2) London
 3) New York
 4) Tokyo
 5) Boston
 6) Greece
 7) San Francisco
 8) New Zealand
 9) Amsterdam
10) Chicago

Are these yours, too?

MC

96- Condura Skyway Marathon 2016

                     Office mates Mike and Bianca during the 2016 Edition of the Condura Skyway                                                             Marathon, Manila, Philippines, Feb. 2016


There are fewer things in this world I enjoy more than running.

For many years, I was into sports that typical guys would get into- basketball, weight training, etc. Those sports required some form of discipline, but let me tell you, excelling in running, and in multisport in general, requires a different type of focus. You need to work to eat right, diligently perform strength and resistance training, diligently go through the ringer for structured, scientific, cardiovascular endurance training, be smart about what gear you use, etc. It's easy to start running. Move your feet, breathe in and out, and there you go. If you want to move mountains (or climb them like a boss), though, you need to approach running with the type of guile and methodical patience you'd see out of, well, an Ethan Hunt type (see Mission Impossible reference).

I have worked to jive to the rhythm of the aforementioned type of zoned-in focus in how I've embraced running. My participation in the recent Condura Skyway Marathon 2016 was something which I had looked forward to for a long time, and something that I had looked forward to particularly because of the charitable aspect of the affair.

The Condura Marathon 2016 was my third journey through the Skyway- an elevated automobile highway that stretches from Alabang in Muntinlupa City, to somewhere in Magallanes Road, Makati City. Airconditioner manufacturer Condura has held the Skyway Marathon for the last couple of years to help support families of Philippine Military personnel who have lost loved ones in the field. For a typical citizen such as myself, running Condura is the least I could do to help those whom our heroes in uniform have left behind.

The medal. Quite the beautiful slab of metal. 

As with other 21k races I've run, my day began at around 1:30am. One light meal, shower, and petroleum jelly coating later, and I was off. My friend Bianca teased me as we drove to the race venue about how slow I was driving. "You can only really do 60kph, can you?" she quipped. Well, whatever restraint I had while driving would invariably be shattered once I got on the race course to run. It's not that I would eschew the idea of pacing, but, I give my all whenever I run. I'm sure Bianca gives her all, too. :) 

        The goofball and his medal. Shout out to my buddies from Team Soleus. What can I say? I just                              love the technical shirt you guys gave away last December 2015! 

One of the best things about running races (apart from the whole process of competing with yourself) would be the company you share after you run. It took me and Bianca a good 45 minutes to exit the parking lot at nearby Festival Mall (no thanks two girls in a Nissan who kept trying to cut us in what should have been a SINGLE FILE queue to the exit gate). You can imagine what hunger, drowsiness, and the general fatigue (despite the runner's high) dealt unto a person c/o running a marathon, can do to one's mood. Before we could step out of our car and give the girls a pair of Stone Cold Stunners, we thankfully made it to Recovery Food in Molito, Alabang, for some breakfast. 

There's nothing like talking about how your race went with friends and other fellow runners. The cafe was packed with people who had just come from the Condura Marathon. Excitement filled the air, and that, paired with the prospect of a good shower and a nap upon arriving in our respective homes, was too good to pass up on. 

I notched a personal best time for 21KM at this race (2:02:08 chip and watch time). That represents the proverbial cherry on the ice cream for yours truly. 

Running's become such a huge part of my life. With 3 2016 calendar races, endless training sessions, under my belt, and a whole lot of passion in tow, I look to the future with tons of optimism and unbridled joy. 

My life's marathon as a runner has only begun, and I intend to savor every minute of it. 

Up next- The Bull Runner Dream Marathon 2016!!

MC