Saved by Bananas

Ahhhhh holiday....my friends, Stip and Glenn invited me to play 9-holes with them at the Tabangao Golf Course in Shell. I'm a little bit hesitant initially, the fact that I am too amateur in this sports. Plus Janice's (Glenn's fiance) brother-in-law will also play with us - a French guy named Stefan who's religiously practicing golf since October. Crap...laughing trip 'to...hehe...But then again what the heck...

I started my day waking up at 1am. Why 1 am? I had this stiffening of hands during the night that I thought I was suffering from a mild stroke. Little did I knew that the meds which I was taking for a month now (e.g. steroids + approvel) have effects other than what they should do in my body. Approvel lessens my potassium thereby causing muscle cramps, muscoskeletal pains and increased heart rate (tachycardia)...Hay Buhay...Since I am active and very mobile, the potassium in my body will surely be reduced tremendously. Before, I used to have cramps due to intentional lowering of salts so I have to take in oral rehydration salts and bananas. But now, I think I have to eat BANANAs regularly to keep the level of K within its limits - not too high not too low.

The bananas became my savior last night when all except 3 of my 10 fingers were left moving. Kala ko katapusan ko na. I ended up sleeping at around 4 am. I even told Lil Bro while eating that I think I am having a stroke....Taranta tuloy ang pasyente ko...hehe. Since I do not want him to worry about me, I asked him to transfer to the other room instead of the usual living room area where he was accustomed to sleep. He's also having a hard time sleeping because of his coughs (which eventually stopped when he transferred).

Around 3:30 am the stiffening stopped. Couldn't have survived it without those two pcs of bananas.

9 am. Off to the course. Stefan and Glenn are already waiting at TEE OFF #1. Stip is nowhere to be found. Lashengggggg kase 4 am na natapos sa toma wahahaha.......So no photographers for the day.

Final verdict:

Harabas

On May 5 & 6, I will be engorging myself into two equally gruelling sports activities. PURPOSE: To test self-endurance towards becoming the penultimate demi-GOD hehehe

Need to have a solid plan on this. May 5 is the Diversity and Inclusiveness Sportsfest - an internal corporate sports event which I was invited to participate in. Sa badminton daw ako kasali. I might end up finishing it by 6 pm thus I gotta sleep over to one of my buddies' house in Manila in time for : May 6 which is the Men's Health trail run. Registration starts at 6 am wahhhhhh kulang sa logtu. Have to register by that time to enter the race by 7 am. Let's just hope I can still walk after these 2 challenges.

To give you a hint of how the trail run will commence, I have copied the course instructions para makihati kayo sa delubyong papasukin ko. Hehe

Course Description: Approximately 9 km. The route is a mixture of dirt, gravel, and singletrack trails. The course features a lot of climbing, but most of all, some spectacular views. Suggested Equipment: Trail running shoes, quick-dry clothing, hydration packs (although there will be at least 2 water stations), caps, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Race: All participants will be released at the same time, regardless of category. The route will be marked using flags, bunting, and banners. Directional and timing marshals will also be placed along the route.

O cge gudlak na lang saken.

First time joiner in trail run: 300 pesos

Badminton rep for MF: libre...

Becoming a pseudo demi-God (",): priceless....

Pacquiao Namakyaw

Panalo na naman si Pareng Manny. Me panibagong kanto na naman sa mukha nya hehehe. Sangkatutak na naman ang 'product endorsements' at malamang sangkaterba na din ang salapi nya...sana lang di siya matulad sa ibang mga boksingero na nawala sa ere at bumagsak. Syempre nag-reasearch ako kung gaano na ba kasikat itong si Manny (LORD: The CORRESPONDENT ata tong segment na to ah?) Aba'y may humigit kumulang 16 na produkto ang nasa kanyang sinturon ngayon, daig pa ang mga naglalakihang artista at celebrities sa Pilipinas. Ilan sa mga ito ay ang mga sumusunod:

• Surf - Detergent from Unilever
• Chicken McDo - McDonald's food product (Fried Chicken)
• Alaxan - Analgesic Tablet (the generic name was Ibuprofen-Paracetamol) from United Laboratories
• Alaxan Gel - Gel for curing pains from United Laboratories
• Datu Puti - Soy Sauce, Fish Paste, and Vinegar from Southeast Asian Foods, Inc.
• Circulan 4 in 1 - Blood vessels food supplement
• San Miguel Beer - Beer (the current TV ad was about him and Erik Morales) from San Miguel Corporation
• Ginebra San Miguel - Gin from San Miguel Corporation
• Magnolia Ice Cream - Ice cream
• Magnolia Low Fat Milk - Low fat milk
• Smart Buddy All Text Load - All Text Load from Smart Telecommunications
• X-treme Magic Sing - Karaoke
• Thunder Energy Drink - Energy drink
• Chavit Singson's political ad for 2007 Elections- Endorser
• Darlington Socks - Stockings (appearing alongside with his brother Bobby Pacquiao)
• Nike - print ads and sports shirt prints
• No Fear apparels

Sa loob ng 5 taon, lang beses na din nyang nakopo ang boxing belt laban sa mga pinakakamagaling sa kanyang division. E manalo naman kaya si Pacquaio sa pagkandidatura niya sa Kongreso? Kalaban ni Manny sa pagiging congressman ng genseral Santos City si Darlene Antonino-Custodio, ang ninang niya sa kasal. Tinaong ko si Manny kung ano nga ba ang kanyang palagay sa nalalapit niyang pakikipagtunggali sa laranagn ng pulitika. PASOK!!!!

UTOY: Manny, How are you lately?

Manny: Lately, it's veen strezful. You know. Absolutely stressful. But sometimes good. Even though it's bad, things are good. Thank you.

UTOY: Ano daw? Ah Manny, tingin mo mananalo ka ngayong eleksyon?

Manny: Ah sa ngayon deko pa masyadong umaaasa ba...thanks GOD na lang from the bottom op my heart pag nanalo sa laban nato. Para sa inyo ang laban nato. Deko kayo iiwan, kahit san man ang...

UTOY: teka Manny, kumakanta ka na...O cge gudlak nalang sa imo ah! Back to you Mel.

Summer na sa Pinas!

At last, summer na yahuuuu. Hulaan kung saan-saan ang mga lugar na to sa Pilipinas na pwede nyong puntahan this zum'mer. Tara na, sakay na! Ang mananalo magtuturok ng gamot sa kapatid ko ngayong summer. (LORD: Parang merong isang batang takot sa karayom...)

Karir sa Isports

Got three adventure races that I will be joining this year. First off is the Tour of the Fireflies - an event that boosts the use of bikes instead of belching mobiles to have clean air. Next is the Men's Health Trail Races, a series of run and bike catered for the adventure seekers. The event is open for all including women hehe. Last is the AXN Amazing Mall Race. I am partnering with Dennis, my friend from Lipa who happens to be a kidney patient also. Sana matapos namen ang 6 grueling hours of shopping...

Easter Sunday!!!

From Sagada we headed to Halsema Hi-way going to Baguio City. The road has improved a lot since 2002. It took us only 6 hours with a stopover in Buguias, Benguet for lunch.

Black Saturday...Pangunguweba (Spelunking)

The Guide

The Spelunkers

The Magic Lampara

The Paas

Good Friday...Sagada

Kakaiba ang pakiramdam ko pag-akyat pa lang namin sa Sagada. Hindi ko alam kung bakit.

This will be my second time in the town but I still am hoping to visit the Anglican Church perched at its center. It was already dark when we reached our destination yet pumped up pa din si AKO probably due to the steroids I am taking. Even if all of the guys are battered from the long drive, I asked them if we could dine at the Yoghurt Haus and let Mr. Jason Well try their special chix curry and of course, their famed yoghurt.

Pagkatapos mag-goli ng lahat (except ako hehe), straight ahead kame sa YH. Buti nalang nakaabot pa kame sa LAST SUPPER. We're the last table to be served. Ang cute talagang dumiskarte ni GOD, saktong sakto parang Sprite este Pop pala. (LORD: Parang me nagpapalakas sa kin sa tabe tabe...)

Mushroom and Pasta ang tinira ko plus some white bread. Tsampion na din for P120.00. Kaya para sa Yoghurt House, 4 stars for the food, serving and the ambiance. 4 laang kasi taob na daw ang lahat yoghurt nila nung gabeng yun. Nampitso!

Good Friday

Sacrifice, that is the best word to describe what I had to endure this day. UTOY went to Batad, Banawe to check out another World Heritage Unesco site. Sabi nila this is a unique rice terraces because of its amphitheater- shaped structure. Yunik na ba yun? (LORD: O wag ng mang-asar...Good Friday ngayon).

Since the road is a bit rough, we opted to take a jeepney ride that took us about an hour from Banawe proper (with P1,800.00 damage). Aba'y sulet na din, akalain nyo 'bang pagkadulas at pagkapanget ng daan. For sure, masa shock ang shox mo.

There are not a lot of tourists in Batad. Probably, I've seen 40-50 pax, mostly adventure trekkers. Lam nyo ba kung baket? (LORD: Baket?). Nampitso. I wasn't told that before you can see the actual terraces and the falls itself, you have to walk more than 4,000 staircases back and forth. Grueling but true! Ergo, oral rehydration salts to the rescue!

God must have been watching while I was about to do the trek. Ciguro sabi nya, "Hoy UTOY, since it is Good Friday naman at andiyan ka na sa Batad, can you please pray while walking and share a little piece of yourself to GOD?". Si Lord nangongonsensya na naman...e matatanggihan ba kita? Ok let's go!

Pagkatapos ng napakahabbbbbbang lakad....

Results:

1. GOD walked with me. (PROOF: Zero cramps for UTOY for the first time. Two of the guys had it. )

2. Reached Batad terraces and the falls.

3. First to reach entry point. (LORD: Astig!...Sabi ko sayo "Just Dream, Believe, Survive)

Maundy Thursday

I am spending my Holy Week here at the North. As of today, I have visited only one (1) church - San Jose Church in San Jose, Nueva Ecija. So I need to visit six (6) more tomorrow til the rest of the week....Hopefully matapos ko or else bad shot na naman ako kay Lord.

P.S. Emer drove from Batangas City to San Jose, Nueva Ecija. I did the San Jose to Banawe route. Twas a gruelling up-mountain climb for several hours. Of course, kailangang chumibog ni UTOY kaya nag stop over kame sa Noodle Station sa Bagabag which is a town after Solano, NE. Champion ang pagkain dito eyspeysyali yung Pancit Cabagan. Kakabagan ka talaga sa rapsa. Plus me pres buko pa. 5 points para sa putaheng ito. Hehe.

Ang hirap talaga ng tumitira ng steroids anlakas kong lumamon ngayon. But I still try to control myself. Sayang naman ang 6 whopping lbs na nawala sa kin ng 3 wks. Hopefully, gumaling na ko sa tama ko...TY Lord!

Holy Wednesday

My sister and I went to Carmel Church in Lipa City to check for the schedule of Healing Masses. Recently kasi, the family has been hampered with lots of trials kaya si Eyi at si ako went to this famed church. We didn't see any schedule but the church folks told us that every Saturday there is a Healing Mass. I just want to check it out and see for myself what really is happening in that particular mass.

Taka kasi ko kung merong pa din yung kusang natutumba kapag pinendong ni Pader sa noo...joke lang po Lord.

Cge the next time I go to Carmel, I'll make sure it is on a Saturday.

Semana Santa

Semana Santa (or Holy Week) started April 1, 2007. This time, Palm Sunday fell on April Fool's Day. I was listening to the radio a day before when I found out that indeed it falls on April Fool's Day. Weird but true. Hopefully everyone will realize that foolishness and holiness are not for mixing.

I bought our palaspas (palm) at the Lipa Cathedral, Lipa City where vendors are still starting to weave their products. A bunch would cost you only Php 15.00. I promised to attend the Palm Sunday Mass early in the morning with Papa in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna.

Palm Sunday 6:00 am. Papa and my younger brother left without me. As usual I woke up late. With this, I then promised to attend the church services in Batangas City (where I work at) on an early Holy Monday.

Holy Monday I overslept. In fact, I was also late to work. Exactly 15 minutes passed 8 am. God I needed to pick up my broken promises!.

Holy Tuesday I didn't promise anything the night before for I know I will again get up late.

S.O.S GOD

I needed God these days. My bluntness in narration is the same as to what I am feeling right now. And with these broken promises, I know HE is not happy. My FAITH on HIM has deeply lessened when I was struck with a lot of problems, I almost surrendered. I even asked HIM oftentimes, WHY?.

This changed when two friends of mine walked with me one night. I have relentlessly narrated to them the hardships that I was at. When I mentioned how I asked GOD why would HE do all these things to me and my family, they stopped me. My friend then talked about how he and his wife hurdled the deaths of his father, his mother and his brother all in the same year. He said he didn't even thought of giving up nor cursing GOD. In fact he even thanked HIM for his loved ones will at last be peacefully re-united with HIM. Never was there a time that he thought it was HIS wrath. Rather he continued to see it as a test which he, and only he, can pull through.

I was taken aback. I felt ashamed of myself. That same night, I thanked HIM for bringing me friends who have personified HIS teachings in all HIS glory. I am hoping I could be as strong as these people. As faithful and as beloved like GOD wants us to be. I know GOD can make a way. Now, my FAITH is slowly keeping its pace, hoping to reconcile with who was then my only resort - HIM.

Photo courtesy of google