Thought for the Day

TEN SPIRITUAL TONICS

1. Stop worrying. Worry kills life.

2. Begin each day with a prayer. It will arm your soul.

3. Control appetite. Over-indulgence clogs body and mind.

4. Accept your limitations. 

5. Don’t envy. It wastes time and energy.

6. Have faith in people. Cynicism sours the disposition.

7. Find a hobby. It will relax your nerves. 

8. Read a book a week to stimulate imagination and broaden your views.

9. Spend some time alone for the peace of solitude and silence.

10.Want what you have, instead of spending your strength trying to get what you want.

Thought for the Day

Midterms Week for Second Semester SY 2010-2011

Today, January 29, 2011 is the last day of Midterm exams for First Year Law Students at the University of the East - College of Law. Luckily, I have only one exam scheduled for today because my other four subjects were already done the early part of the week.

But my last exam proved to be the longest and most exhausting one, the exam was made not for a two-hour exam but I think you need more than five hours to accomplished. The five pleadings alone would eat up around 2 hours - you need to prepare with your own facts a Criminal Case Complaint as well as a Counter-Affidavit, then a Civil Case Complaint and the Answer to that. Both criminal and civil case pleadings have different set of facts. And add to that the pleading Demurer to Evidence.

It's not that you can not think of how to create your pleadings, but what will matter is the exhaustion in thinking as well as in writing down the pleadings and also the time allotted to finish the exam.

But as they say, if there are hardships, there will be success. And if there are evil, the good are just around.

Despite to all what happened this week, I am still thankful for everything. Thank you God for the week that had past. Thank you for keeping us in your guidance!

2011 RunRio Trilogy Leg 1: Unilab Run United 1

Hi fellow runners!

After the Condura Skyway Marathon on February 6, 2011. This will be my next goal on the road.  Join us!

Run United 1, the 1st leg of the RunRio Trilogy 2011, will be held on March 6, 2011 at Bonifacio, Global City. This family event is going to be the biggest of 2011. Boasting of 4 race categories, 500m (for kids), 5K, 10K, and 21K, – Run United 1 is the event for you and your family.

REGISTRATION VENUES

Online registration period is from January 31, 2011 to February 21, 2011 only. You can register online (coming soon). Delivery of race kits will start on February 5, 2011.

Regular In-store registration period is from January 31, 2011 to February 13, 2011 only at the following venues:

• RUNNR – G/F Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City (12nn – 8pm,Tel # 4031787)
• R.O.X. – Level 2 R.O.X. Bldg. Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City (12nn–8pm, Tel # 8564638)
• Toby’s SM Mall of Asia – G/F Entertainment Mall, Roxas Blvd., Manila
  (12nn–8pm, Tel # 556-0445)
• Planet Sports Glorietta – 2F Glorietta 3, Makati City (12nn – 8pm, Tel # 8177896)
• Planet Sports Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa City (12nn – 8pm, Tel# 8422886)
• Planet Sports Trinoma – 2nd level, Trinoma cor. North EDSA, Quezon City
  (12nn – 8pm, Tel# 9167451)
• The Athlete’s Foot Robinsons Galleria – 3F Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas Pasig City
  (12nn – 8pm, Tel# 6363162)

Late registration period is from February 14 – 26, 2011 at the following venues: RUNNR, Bonifacio High Street, Toby’s SM Mall of Asia and The Athletes foot, Robinsons Galleria.

SINGLET DESIGN 

For more info, visit RunRio website.

Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte - Naturally Beautiful!

This photo was taken last August 30, 2009 when we have our honeymoon trip at Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. In the background was the vast South China Sea and the beautiful Dos Hermanos Islands.

Looking at Dos Hermanos Islands, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Sulit.com.ph and Trajet Tours and Travel promote tourism in the Philippines and abroad. Find great travel deals at Sulit.com.ph, the leading online classified ads website in the Philippines.

After our Church Wedding last August 21, 2009 at the Our Lady of Remedies Church in Malate, Manila (our second wedding because we had our Civil Wedding a year earlier), we decided to have our honeymoon trip in my home province. Thus, we picked Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte to be our destination because this northernmost town of Ilocos Norte offers a lot of beauty and adventure.

Pagudpud boasts natural beauty such as the Saud Ivory Beach, Blue Lagoon Beach, Kabigan Falls, Dos Hermanos Islands, Bantay-Abot Cave and Paraiso ni Anton among others. Also, Pagudpud have man-made attractions such as the Patapat Viaduct and the Ilocos-Cagayan Boundary Canopy or View Deck.

Other nearby towns also have natural and man-made attractions such as the Bangui Wind Mills, the Burgos Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. These spots are just few kilometers away from the heart of Pagudpud.

And if you are really interested in exploring most of the tourist spots of Ilocos Norte in a short trip, you can also try what we have done. After our 1 day and 1 night stay at the Villa del Mar Beach Resort in Saud Beach, and after going around Pagudpud from Patapat Viaduct to Kabigan Falls and back to Saud beach, we took land travel by bus to Laoag City where we went to see the Provincial Capitol as well as the famous Sinking Bell Tower of Laoag.

From Laoag City, we again took a bus going to Batac, Ilocos Norte where we visited the Marcos Mausoleum and dropped by the snack center to have some Miki and Empanada. Batac is the hometown of several Filipino heroes, from there we jumped off our travel back to Manila.

Pagudpud is my favorite destination because it gives me the feeling of comfort, being my home province also the pride to have all these natural beauty. Beside from these, when you are already in Pagudpud, you can have the chance to explore numerous beauty spots Ilocos Norte can offer in a not so expensive budget! Sulit na Sulit!

P.S. You can view my dedicated post about our honeymoon trip at Pagudpud for more photos.

This is my entry to the Sulit na Sulit Travel Contest sponsored by: 

To know more about the Sulit na Sulit Travel contest. Visit the Sulit Philippines contest page. Deadline is on January 31, 2011.

Weekend Blog Follower Caravan #4

Happy weekend everyone! This is the fourth week of the Weekend Blog Follower Caravan. I just joined during its third week and I have gained 19 new followers. Thank you and warm welcome!!!

Here are the simple rules:

1. Make sure you follow our hosts: Pinay Mommy Bloggers and Pinay Mommy Online.

2. Every Saturday, you make a post to welcome your new followers with any of the badges above. Submit the LINK of your post to our weekly post.

3. Once added visit other players’ post and leave a comment telling them that you have followed them from the Weekend Blog Follower Caravan. Then don’t forget to place the link of your blog to where you wanted to be followed back.

Join now!

Midterm Exams for Second Semester 2010-2011 - Lessons Learned

Time fly so fast and almost we cannot catch our breath keep tracking with time, days and nights. It was just like a few weeks ago when the Second Semester for School Year 2010-2011 started and now we are already having our Midterm Examinations!

We had our Midterm exam for Obligations and Contracts today from 6PM-8PM. At first glance it was easy, questionnaire was made up of five questions True or False (1 point each), twenty questions Multiple Choice (3 points each) and seven questions Essay (5 points each). With a total of one hundred points.

I can say that the exam questions are not that hard especially when you have really reviewed a lot. I have an average level of readiness, meaning not so ready but I was confident with my answers. But then after the exam and we tried to re-think about the answers, something went out to be a great mistake of mine which might cause to me fail the entire exam!

Lessons learned:

1. Prepare for the exam 101 Percent. If done reading the book, read again to be really familiar with the topics and explanations.

2. Read questions and facts given thoroughly. Understand and think about the question twice or more before jumping into answering.

3. Be aware of the "distractors", meaning the words or phrases that would make the statement, fact or question wrong or correct.

4. Do not be in a hurry. Take your time, if the exam if scheduled for 2 hours, consume the time allotted.

5. Review your answers thoroughly. Read from #1 to the last # to see if you have really answered the best option.

I think I have all violated these lessons, it might be costly. I was kinda in a hurry last night answering the exams, I overlooked the words that made the sentence different, for example the facts were stated as solidary debtors, meaning the creditor or creditors can demand payment for any one of the debtors to pay the whole amount of the obligation.

But then, what I answered was about joint debtors, meaning they are proportionately liable to their creditors, they are not liable for the whole amount of the obligation.

In short, I answered the opposite of the correct answer which is a very huge mistake.Essay question have a lot of weight on the exams. So I might fail the midterm on Obligations and Contracts :-(

In the end, lessons learned, though I have should have known these being my second semester at Law School. Really, life is a learning process, sometimes we need to commit mistake to learn again those forgotten lessons of the past.

D-tag Installation for Condura Skyway Marathon 2011

Today I received this e-mail from Condura Skyway Marathon Secretariat, it contained the D-Tag Timing Chip Installation guide. I converted it to JPEG format so that I can embed here in my post.

 

Proper installation of the D-tag will ensure accurate recording of the runner's time.

 

So let's be aware of this reminder guys. 

 

 

See you all on Race day, February 6th 2011!

 ~~~~

Dear Condura Skyway Marathon Runner,

 

Thank you for joining the Condura Skyway Marathon.

Please take time to read these instructions for accurate and glitch-free recording of your time.

Click here: instructions_simple.pdf

See you at the starting line!

Sincerely,

Condura Skyway Marathon - Secretariat

 

11 Tips in Making Resolutions Realities

1. MAKE A LIST OF YOUR GOALS and select the top three to five that are the most important to you. Pray for God's guidance in the process. He knows best.
2. BE REALISTIC. Reaching for a goal should stretch you, but it should also be doable. Decide on a reasonable time frame for reaching each goal.
   
3. DON'T TRY TO DO EVERYTHING AT ONCE. Focus on your top goal for a set period of time. Then move to goal number two, while maintaining the progress made toward reaching the first, and so on.
   
4. PRAY. Prayer brings into play the spiritual help you need to reach your goals.
   
5. WORK WITH GOD. Change involves overcoming past thought and behavioral patterns. This is never easy, but change for the better is possible if you ask God to help and follow His lead. "With God nothing will be impossible".
   
6. CHART YOUR PROGRESS. Keep track of how far you've come, using a journal or chart. Keeping records and reviewing them periodically can also help you to identify weak spots.
   
7. GET HELP FROM OTHERS. Share your plan with a friend and ask for his or help. Being accountable to someone will give you added incentive to stick to your resolutions even though it's though.
   
8. DON'T BE DISCOURAGED BY YOUR MISTAKES. You will have some setbacks and "off" days. Take these lows as a reminder that you can't do it on your own. Draw closer to God and depend more on His help. Tomorrow is a fresh chance to do better!
   
9. BE IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL. If you are truly serious about making a change, you will be willing to see it through, no matter how long it takes.
   
10. VISUALIZE VICTORY. Periodically visualize what your life will be like once your goal is reached. Picture the advantages you will gain and how much happier, healthier, or more productive you will be.
    
11. REWARD YOURSELF FOR EACH GOAL YOU REACH. The real reward will be the feeling of accomplishment and the benefits you'll experience from the change you've made, but having a physical treat attached to a specific goal can make it even more enjoyable.
    

"NOBODY CAN GO BACK AND START A NEW BEGINNING, BUT ANYONE CAN START TODAY AND MAKE A NEW ENDING." – Maria Robinson

~excerpts from Activated, Vol. 1, Issue 1

What I think of the Plea bargain between OMB Prosecutors & Gen. Garcia?

I think the Plea Bargaining Agreement entered into by the Office of the Ombudsman Special Prosecutors led by Atty. Wendell Sulit with General Garcia in connection with the initial Plunder case filed against him just showed how weak our justice system is. It also somewhat reinforced the stereo type that government lawyers tend to just lose cases that they handle.

It’s a big question why only now that the prosecutor’s are saying that they do not have strong evidence to prove the guilt of General Garcia for the crime of plunder. That the prosecutor’s say that the case will not prosper that why they resorted to the Plea Bargaining agreement that made general Garcia admit for a lesser offense of direct bribery and made him return only 135 million out of the initial 303 million claim of plundered money. The deal also allowed General Garcia to post bail with the amount of Php 60, 000.

Now, who’s really at the losing end? Is General Garcia who just lost 135 million of his bulk wealth? Or the Filipino people who have just been cheated by another Plea Bargaining Agreement? Or the government that seemed to be incompetent in defending the will and welfare of the citizenry?

I think the happiest and most lucky Filipino right now is General Garcia, though he just surrendered 135 million pesos and admitted a crime of direct bribery, he is still a free man now and he has the remaining half of the initial 303 million alleged to be plundered by him during his tenure as AFP comptroller.

The reasoning that the prosecutors have no strong evidence is an alibi that is so weak to believe into. The millions amassed by General Garcia despite of his income and wealth discrepancy is a clear evidence of Plunder. If it is not Plunder, then what we gonna call it?

I think that there could been a lot more way to prove the guilt of General Garcia. His family members are still awaiting extradition, deeper inventory and evaluation of his properties, AFP third party accounting and more. The prosecutors should not just be entering into Plea Bargaining Agreement even without the consent or knowledge of the directly involved agencies. It is a long way to go and our prosecutors should have learned their lessons before not now.

~This is another written essay in completion for my subject Legal Writing this 2nd semester.

 

What I think of Hubert Webb Acquittal?

 ~This is one of my previous essay in completion with my subject on Legal Writing this semester.

I think the recent acquittal of Hubert Webb and company created a lot more questions than answers not just to the people directly involved such as Mr. Lauro Vizconde and the Volunteers against Crime and Corruption (VACC) but to all people around the Philippines and even abroad that followed the proceedings of the so-called “trial of the decade” or the Vizconde Massacre from the Regional Trial Court, the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.

I have read, heard and viewed several opinions, commentaries and interviews of the both parties involved in this landmark case – mainly Vizconde and Webb. Still both camps have endless questions, and one key question was if Webb and company are not the real perpetrators, who would it be?

The Supreme Court’s main contention that the testimony of the star witness Ms. Jessica Alfaro were not credible and also the witness herself cannot be credible is a matter of “trial of facts” to which the lower courts have the task at hand to perform, the Supreme Court being the highest court of the land has the power to review decisions of the lower courts as well as the Court of Appeals.

The decision of the Supreme Court created another question, why the high court is now a trial of facts? The credibility of witnesses and their testimony are best observed in the lower courts where the judges can directly and personally observe the actuations, reactions, speech and body language among others of the witnesses. While in the Supreme Court, the justices are just facing and reading the voluminous records and transcripts of the proceedings from the lower courts.

Also, the question of who are now the real perpetrators are still left hanging in the air.Will this question remain unanswered as the case remains unsolved? It would have been more ideal, justifiable and acceptable if upon the acquittal of Mr. Webb and company, the Supreme Court or any related government agency have captured or pinpointed the real criminals. This would have really put an end to this two decade proceedings.

Now, the Motion for Reconsideration filed by Mr Lauro Vizconde I think will just be in any way dismissed by the High Court, for the reason that nobody can be put into double jeopardy, meaning you cannot file the same case and respondent twice. The acquittal has ended the battle of Mr. Lauro Vizconde against Mr. Webb and company.

I feel sorry to Mr. Vizconde that until now justice seemed to be so hard for him to achieve. I just want to believe that if he cannot get justice here on earth, in heaven, he will.

~January 8, 2011

2011- New Astrological Signs

In the last few days, I overheard in the news, that New Zodiac Signs were introduced by the Astrological Society, meaning your old birth zodiac sign will be no longer your sign starting this year 2011. For example, in my case I am no longer a Saguittarian but now I am already a Scorpio. Whew!

The Astrological Society have also added a new astrological sign, Ophiuchus , because apparently, they omitted it back in the day when the mystical revelations of astrology were being formed.

So here's the new breakdown:

Capricorn: Jan. 20-Feb. 16.
Aquarius: Feb. 16-March 11.
Pisces: March 11-April 18.
Aries: April 18-May 13.
Taurus: May 13-June 21.
Gemini: June 21-July 20.
Cancer: July 20-Aug. 10.
Leo: Aug. 10-Sept. 16.
Virgo: Sept. 16-Oct. 30.
Libra: Oct. 30-Nov. 23.
Scorpio: Nov. 23-29.
Ophiuchus: Nov. 29-Dec. 17. (Yes, Ophiuchus...here's the scoop on your new sign)
Sagittarius: Dec. 17-Jan. 20.

Now, will you follow your new zodiac sign? Some of my friends are not so happy with this new arrangement of the zodiacs as well as the addiditional sign of Ophiuchus.

It is now option to follow or not, but in the long run, I believe that we need to adjust to changes. Somehow, only change really is inevitable here on earth! Welcome myself to being Scorpio ;-)


~several information partly lifted from Yahoo!

Weekend Blog Follower Caravan #3

 

~Hello World! I am happy to welcome everyone and I am most happy also to join in this worthy undertaking of helping our fellow bloggers. Please find below more details of the said activity~


Weekend Blog Follower Caravan is a simple online blogger-helping-blogger weekly meme. It was designed for bloggers to help each other in terms of blog followers either through Google Friend Connect and email subscribers. And if this becomes a success, hopefully will include Twitter and other platforms that could help boosts each other’s blogs.

Weekend Blog Follower Caravan is a Saturday meme but will have its post published every Friday at 11PM (+8 GMT). The rules of this game are simple. But before you play, make sure you have a Google Friend Connect and Email Subscription widgets visible in your blog. This will make it easier for you and your future followers to get connected with your blog.


Here are the simple rules:

1. Make sure you follow our hosts: Pinay Mommy Bloggers and Pinay Mommy Online.

2. Every Saturday, you make a post to welcome your new followers with any of the badges above. Submit the LINK of your post to our weekly post.

3. Once added visit other players’ post and leave a comment telling them that you have followed them from the Weekend Blog Follower Caravan. Then don’t forget to place the link of your blog to where you wanted to be followed back.

See?! Simple as 1 – 2 – 3!!


~Happy weekend everyone! Join in now!!!~

Backpack for Bloggers

Happy New Year everyone!   Tell us about your most memorable OUTDOOR adventure for 2010 and win a backpack from Mountain Hardware worth 6,990 Pesos!!!

1.       What to Do :
a.       Write about your memorable OUTDOOR adventure/s from 2010.  (Minimum of 100 words). Include picture/s from that adventure.
b.       Share it through your website/Blogging Platforms (ex. Blogger, Wordpress, Multiply, Tumblr, etc.). Facebook notes - not allowed as medium.
2.       Requirements in Your Entry
a.       Blog must include a link to the R.O.X. Philippines fan page (http://www.facebook.com/roxphilippines) and Twitter account (http://twitter.com/rox_philippines). Automatic disqualification if these links are not included or if the link is leading to another page.
b.       Blog must be in English or Filipino.
c.        Only one entry per blog/website is allowed.
d.       Existing blog posts can be used as long as you include the R.O.X. Philippines Fanpage and Twitter account and that the adventure is from 2010.

3.       Submission of Entries
To qualify, you must email the following details to: marketing@rox.com.ph
  Full Name :
  Mobile Number :
  Entry Link :
Deadline of Submission: January 14, 2010 – 5:00 P.M.
Once your email gets through our system, you will receive an auto-reply. Do not reply to this message as this email address is only used for specific promotions.
*We will not accept submissions through our Facebook Fanpage or Facebook Account.
*Qualified Entries will be posted in a list through the R.O.X. Philippines Fanpage Notes. 

4.       Criteria : One winner will be selected based on these criteria by a pool of judges from the R.O.X. team :
a.       Content Quality
b.       Ability to inspire others to try the outdoors.
c.        Readability – must be easy to read, can be easily understood
d.       Relevance of photo/s to the content

5.       Notification of Winners
a.       Announcement of winners will be on January 17, 2011.
b.    Winner will be notified via email or contacted through their mobile phone. Announcement will also be made through the R.O.X. Philippines Facebook Fan Page.

6.       Claiming of Prize : Depending on your location, prize will be shipped in any of our branches : R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street/Ayala Mall, Cebu/ Marquee Mall, Pampanga.   

UPDATED LIST OF ENTRIES HERE : http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=136649688902&notes_tab=app_2347471856#!/note.php?note_id=154498957934301

Backpack Model  : Mountain Hardware SuperScrambler

• Fully-padded dual-density shoulder straps and low-profile mesh hipbelt
• Lightweight top loading design with removable lid pocket
• Foldover main compartment closure with zippered pocket allows use without lid
• Removable HardWave framesheet resists round-out and preserves flexibility
• Removable lightweight foam padding in backpanel
• Large internal pocket allows use of sleeping pad for additional/alternate backpanel cushioning/support
• Full front daisy chain for attaching ice tools and climbing gear with four side compression straps
• Additional webbing tabs on front panel can be used to anchor accessory straps, ice axe loops, etc. for added versatility and gear carrying options

Mountain Hardware SuperScrambler - 50 Liters Capacity

My Most Expensive Hershey's Chocolate Bar

My Race Kit for Condura Skyway Marathon 2011

For my personal record, so far of my 28 years of existence, I bought a Hershey's chocolate bar for Php 1, 275.00! Insane maybe but this is for a noble cause because part of the amount will go to the Dolphins of Bohol - the dolphin capital of the Philippines.

My Dri-fit Technical T-shirt, Bib Number & D-tag

Aside from that, the event was being organized by Condura. It is the 4th year of their Skway Marathon for the benefit of the dolphins and other marine sanctuaries in the Philippines.

My first half marathon race

The Condura Skyway Marathon 2011 on February 6, 2011 will be my first 21k race or the half-marathon category. I have not trained that much due to my loaded schedule at work and at law school.

But with the help of God and my ever trusted legs and feet, I believe that the finish line will not fail me.

Common now, let's eat my most expensive Hershey's chocolate! Yummy!

Running Training Tips by Dr. Stuart Weiss - Part 2

e. Take salt before and during runs and races of 10k or longer, unless salt is contraindicated by your doctor. Consume salty foods in the days leading up to the run or race, and ingest common table salt before and during your workout or race to maintain the body's water-to-sodium balance. Take on fast-food salt packet at the start of a race. if you're running  a half-marathon or marathon, take another packet at the halfway point. After the race, take a sport drink that has some sodium and eat salty foods.

f. Drink for thirst. If you feel thirsty while running or racing, have 4 to 8 ounces of fluid (preferably a sports drink that has some sodium in it at an aid station or whenever you feel you need it). If you aren't thirsty, don't feel compelled to drink. If you can't use thirst as guide, drink no more than a cup (8 ounces) of fluid every 30 minutes. Do not overdrink. Over ydrating can lead to hyponatremia (low blood sodium). This condition can lead to nausea, fatigue, vomiting, weakness, sleepiness - and in most severe instances - seizures, coma and death. Before you run, check the color of your urine. It should be pale yellow, like lemonade. Dark colored urine (like tea) indicates dehydration; completely clear urine may indicate overhydration. 

In training, weigh yourself before and after your runs to get a sense of how much to drink to replace the fluids lost. You should aim to weigh the same or no more than 2 percent less after you train. You'll need to drink more in warm, humid weather than on a cool, dry day.

f. Avoid NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) starting 24 hours before your race. These drugs, which include ibuprofen and naproxen sodium, can limit blood to kidneys, increasing risk of low sodium (hyponatremia). You can start taking them again 6 hours after the race.

g. Don't take anti-diarrheal or cold medicines on race day. These drugs can have dehydrating effects.

h. Always listen to your body - don't overextend. Train sensibly. Increase the distance and speed of your runs gradually, and recover by resting and refueling between hard workouts. Working with a coach or training group can help you stay within safe healthy parameters.

i. Listen to your body. Don's ignore feelings of illness. A sense of "just not feeling right" can be a sign of serious medical problem. The marathon medical team is available at the start, every mile along the course, and at the finish. Most runners who spend time at a medical aid station are able to finish the race.

~courtesy of Condura Skyway Marathon

Minute Maid Pulped Up!

I just drank a bottle of Minute Maid Pulpy. They say it’s got ‘no preservatives added’. Aw, c’mon…It’s bottled juice. Is that even possible? So I thought maybe... they are telling the truth! The taste was so pulpy and natural, my taste buds can not grasp for any artificial or preservative smell or taste in this bottled juice!

I didn’t believe it the first time I heard it’s got no preservatives added.  So I read the ingredients (even the fine print) and everything checked out! It really has NO PRESERVATIVES ADDED!  That means it doesn’t have ingredients that may turn out to be allergens, or worse...carcinogens!  Whew! Now that’s healthy goodness that tastes so good, I... would want to drink Minute Maid Pulpy every time I got thirsty or in every meal I have. With my running activities, Minute Maid Pulpy will boost my immune system and will help me go for the extra mile!

So okay, it’s got no preservatives added. That’s really good, right?  Not just because it doesn’t have those icky, harmful ingredients, but it also means... Minute Maid Pulpy was naturally-made and a healthy, nutritious drink for everyone, for our kids, the young and the old ones alike!

So far anyone who still has a hard time believing that Minute Maid has got no preservatives added - meaning it's THAT natural, it's almost like it's plucked straight from the tree, it's just as Mother Nature wanted your orange juice to be, it's got nothing but the good stuff yes, none of those potentially toxic stuff that can harm your brain, kidneys, heart; cause tumors aargh- the list of preservatives' bad effects just go on!!! Anyway, just to prove a point on just how good Minute Maid Pulpy is 'cause it's got NO PRESERVATIVES ADDED, I'm gonna include Minute Maid in our weekly groceries and our household will drink Minute Maid Pulpy everyday. And I am sure that with Minute Maid Pulpy natural goodness, I can cross my next 21Km run with ease and grace! 

Feels good to know about the real pulpy deal, right? C’mon show me a smile on the comment box, and you might win yourself a Really Pulpy Deal!  

(That’s a chance to win a Minute Maid gift pack simply by commenting. Sweet! C'mon you just might be picked as the lucky 'commentor'!)

Love,

Rod Pagdilao, Jr.

Minute Maid Pulpy Blog Contest

CONTEST  RULES

This contest is  open to all Filipino citizens and foreigners who are of legal age, at least 18  years old, and are permanent residents of the Philippines.


To join, you will  need to do the following:

    1. Like Minute Maid Pulpy on Facebook by  clicking the ‘Like’ button on the Facebook Fan Page.
    2. Pulp up your blog by using the “Pulpy  Blog Generator”. Simply follow the instructions to generate a Pulpy blog post  and to download any of the different Minute Maid blog design elements you can  use for your blog, such as:
        a. Minute Maid Background
        b. Minute Maid banners
            i. Leaderboard  - 728x90
            ii. Banner  - 468 x 60
            iii. Half  banner - 234x60
            iv. Button  - 125x125
            v. Skyscraper  - 120x600
            vi. Wide  Skyscraper - 160x600
            vii. Small  Square - 200x200
            viii. Square  - 250x250
            ix. Medium  Rectangle - 300x250
            x. Large  Rectangle - 336x280
        c.Minute Maid Badge
        d.Minute Maid Widget

    3. Apply the Pulpy blog post and Minute  Maid designs on your blog. Once done, go back to our Facebook Fan Pageand post  the link of your blog post on our wall to submit your entry.

    4. Help us spread the word about Minute  Maid Pulpy’s “Pulp up your blog” contest by Tweeting or sharing your blog and  asking your readers to comment. If you win the contest, you get to choose a  winner from your comment-givers.

    5. All entries containing profanity,  nudity, obscene or lawless acts, will automatically be disqualified. A panel of judges will choose winners  based on the following criteria:
        a. Creative Writing: 60%
        b. Use of Minute Maid’s imagery: 30%
            i. Background:  15%
            ii. Banners:  5%
            iii. Badge:  5%
            iv. Widget:  5%
        c. Number of comments: 10%

    7. All entries should be posted and  submitted on the Facebook wall starting January 10, 2011 only. From January 10, 2011, your blog should remain “Pulped up” until the announcement of winners.

    8. The contest judges and all employees of  The Coca-Cola Export Corp., Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc. and its  sub-distributors, and other promo partners/third party suppliers, including  their relatives up to the third degree of consanguinity or affinity, are  automatically disqualified from joining this contest. Persons reporting  regularly to The Coca-Cola Export Company, Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Co.  Inc. and its sub-distributors under a contract or service and who, by the  nature of the service they render may have a direct and personal knowledge of  the promotion shall also be disqualified.

    9. The Coca-Cola Export Corp. reserves the  right to postpone or cancel this contest in the event that the contest becomes  impossible or inconvenient to continue due to fortuitous events.

WHAT  ARE THE PRIZES?
    1. Winners will receive the following:

         - (1) Grand Prize Winner: PHP 20,000.00
         - (2) 1st runner up: PHP  10,000.00
         - (3) 2nd runner up: PHP  5,000.00
         - (4) Comments winner: A month’s supply  of Minute Maid (330 mL)

    2. Winners will be announced on the Facebook Fan Page and selected popular blogs.
    3. Winners will also be contacted via  Facebook or through their blog on how to claim their prize.
    4. Winners shall have at least sixty (60)  days from the date of publication or announcement or notification of winners,  within which to claim their prizes. Winners shall present 2 valid photo IDs as  evidence of his/her identity and entry such as:

         - Passport
         - School/Company ID
         - Government issued IDs (e.g. SSS, BIR,  Driver’s
            license, etc.)

    5. Verification will be conducted by The  Coca-Cola Export Corp. on authenticity of entries and identity of potential  winners. Decisions of the Coca-Cola Corp.   in case of questions or disputes relating to the promotion shall be  final.

    6. All unclaimed prizes after the said  date shall be forfeited in favor of The Coca-Cola Export Company.

 

Running Training Tips by Dr. Stuart Weiss - Part 1

My Condura Skyway Marathon 2011 Race kit

Hello running world! I received today the delivery of my Condura Skyway Marathon 2011 race kit, and part of the kit is a printed training tips from Dr. Stuart Weiss. I would like to share these tips in two parts, here it goes;

Running is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself. However, as in any sport, there can be health and medical risks. Follow these tips to protect yourself as you embark on your training.

a. Have a physical exam before you start a regular exercise program - Tell your physician what you plan to do, including the volume and intensity of your training and any races you have planned. Be as clear and precise as possible.

b. Have an annual physical exam, no matter how healthy your lifestyle - Many conditions and syndromes are unrelated to your exercise level and have mild or vague symptoms or no symptoms at all. If you're over 40, get an exercise stress test. Follow-up after the exam by getting extra tests that are recommended. At any time, see your doctor immediately if you experience new chest pain, pressure, unusual sweating or shortness of breath. Less urgently, see a sports medicine physician if you feel any pain while running that causes you to change your form.

c. Think carefully about caffeine before races - If you habitually drink a cup or two of coffee or tea in the morning before you run or race, or consume a caffeine-containing energy gel during a run, you should feel free to do the same on race day. If you don't normally use caffeine before or during your run, don't do on race day. You may experience dehydration or upset your digestion. There is some research suggesting that the caffeine equivalent of two cups of coffee can limit blood flow to the heart during exercise. Discuss your risk with your doctor so you can make the best decision.

d. Consider taking baby aspirin before you run or race - Some doctors recommend a daily baby aspirin (81mg) to runners to reduce risk of sudden death while running due to clumps of platelets forming in the blood. Discuss this risk with your doctor so you can make an informed and responsible decision. If taking daily baby aspirin isn't the healthiest decision for you, you might consider taking one on race morning.

To be continued...

~courtesy of Condura Skyway Marathon 2011