There you go. A design teaser for the new menu 2011. Watch out for it in October!

My Prince and Princess

Noah is a year older while Pia is six.

Noah is strong while Pia is compassionate.

The Prince and the Princess. My inspirations.

Cebu Ultrarunner's Club "Not Your Kindergarten' 50K Ultramarathon

Ngano ni enter! (translated: Why did I join this?) Those are the exact words I told myself and my staff while running the long stretch between the city of Danao to the northern town of Carmen, part of the route of the firs organized run by the new club of ultra runners here in Cebu. Who would have thought the day would be a sizzler when it was raining like hell for weeks already.

Well we got what we deserved, exactly not your kindergarten stuff. As one guy in the street told his companion after being told that we started running in Mandaue City, "Na unsa man na sila, nag lisod lisod ra jud sa kaugalingon! " The good thing about this run was it was free! No hefty registration fees to think about, no water stations, not even a medal. It reminds me of the ultra marathon races abroad when a handful of people would just clap their hands when you reach the finish line. The feeling, the same! The euphoria, the same!

I didn't actually trained hard for this thinking, hey I've ran 65k already so what's 50k? More like being arrogant. I could have sworn that I'll have been pretty screwed up if I took the pace higher. I didn't. I followed my ultra pace, steady and consistent. I ended up running up to the marathon distance before my knees showed signs of hurting again. Must be old age! Haaaay! So I just walked the remaining 7k to the finish and still ended up among the top 20% of the participants. Good thing about this run was there was no soreness the day after! I'm glad I made this run. I was a sort of camaraderie and friendship among fellow ultra marathoners. I hope the club would be ran well and soon would be able to organize on our own. A special thanks to all those benevolent runners who in their own way provided nourishments in their place!

I have high respect for the special idiots who ran that day. They just belong to a different level. Their is that passion burning just to run for the sake of enjoying the run and not competing. Congrats to all!

Food Marathon

And here's a taste of the good life (lol). Kidding aside, It's been a while since my last blog. Feels a little sluggish lately, my right brain must have suffered a concussion. Oh well, I have been running my butt off ever since I've been hooked. How ironic that life is a race and my runs are to enjoy, living life as it should be, eating notwithstanding! This was a shot when we had the season shoot with the new menu for the restaurant. A marathon of sorts, after three days of shooting it finally ended. The best part though comes after the shoot where the eat-all-you can portion comes. Thankfully, I've got running and the eating binges continues.

Here's some RAW photos I took. It may take two months before the new menu comes out making loyal customers anxious and anticipating.

Ok guys, this is far as it goes before your tummies would be screaming "I just love Spice Fusion!"

For those who doesn't know where the restaurant is, Its locate in SM Cebu Northwing and Banilad Town Center. Check it out!

Kawasan Falls Marathon

This got to be the most fun I had with a marathon. I didn't mind traveling 130kms southwest of Cebu although I felt it was really far! Not as festive as the international marathons ones but the simplicity and the all out support from the town people of Badian, Alegria and Malabuyoc made up for it. Except for the route which most probably thought it was flat with a "few" rolling hills, everything was heaven sent from the cool weather, 99% cloud cover and little rains here and there, the very scenic route and the hospitality of the people.

This was to be my fourth marathon. Although I did trained for endurance, it was to be ran leisurely with lots of photo taking. I was bringing along my Lumix just like in HK. Here's 42k of running photos:

Arrived at our beach house in Lambo after a 3 hour ride. This was to be our home for the a day and a half. Bare but comfortable, I wouldn't complain especially if the beach was just in front of you.

Oh the beach! I haven't been to this side of Cebu but this one got to be one of the best. The white powdery sand and the crystal blue waters of Tanon Strait makes you wanna swim rather run the next day.

Off we ate an early dinner of Korean noodles, spaghetti and the famous Dumanjug native chicken. Salt caps were ready for distribution with the crew, half of them first time marathoners.

Marathon day and its the usual pre race photo ops! TTB, Team YYKredit, friends like Berput Queen Abby and Noy Adol, Jacob, Edward, Doc Willie and many more too many to mention.

5 minutes before gun time, roads filled up and everyone excited, it was going to be a long road ahead but nevertheless a road that shall end like never before, a waterfall as its background.

The crowd soon disperse, 400 runners taking his own race one step at a time.

It was to be a scenic marathon and it was it many ways. Old provincial bridges, one after another....

Coastal views 80% along the way!

Heritage churches to remind us to thank God that life is good...

and non stop high fives to kids and old alike!

The signs were there to remind us the journey ahead would be long and tiresome...

but also happy moment of bonding and camaraderie with fellow marathoners alike.

As the journey close to an end, we were all greeted with the sound of the river beside us and a trail that invigorated the trail runner in my heart. This is where I ran the fastest.

And so I finish my 4th marathon at 4:47:52, Rank No. 87 and barely 3 minutes slower than my PR, fresher legs and an injury that I didn't expect. Such is the life of the running enthusiast!

Every race never ends without the usual photo taking souvenirs all smiles and all saying that after the pain, life is good after all.

And so the journey ends where it started, the beach. Time to bask in the nature's wonderful creation and enjoy life. After all, Life is a beach!

Next Stop: Warrior 50 Ultramarathon. Crossing my fingers. Wink Wink.