2024: Happy New Year & Happy Resolutions

Happy New Year.

Manigong Bagong Taon. Mauswag na Ba-gong Taon. Malipayong Bag-ong Tuig. Masinadyahong Bag-ong Tuig.  Maupay nga Bag-ong Tuig.  Naragsac nga Baro nga Tawen. Maaligwas ya Balon Taon.  Masaplalang bayung banwa.  Prospero Ano Nuevo. 

It is the 1st week of 2024. It is that time of the year when people of all shapes, sizes, weight, wealth,  gender, creed and sports list down their New Year's Resolutions. 

New Year's resolutions are the determinations we set ceremoniously at the beginning of  every year. The New Year represents a fresh start, giving each human being the opportunity to start with a clean slate and redetermine how we want to move forward.  Optimism makes us human.   

For the Bicolano Penguin (BP),  I have written down 4 with multiple rating options:

 The 1st resolution is about persevering   in the BP's bucket list quest of finishing a full marathon and/or ultramarathon in all 82 provinces of the Philippines.  In 2023, the BP added 4 provinces, bringing the total by year-end to 25 provinces that the BP has successfully finished a full mary or an ultra.  These 4 provinces are:

1. Cebu:   Cebu City Marathon in Jan 2023.

2. Negros Occidental:  BCD2DSB 50Km Challenge  in July 2023

3. Bohol:  Bohol International Marathon   in Aug 2023

4. Bulacan:  1st Bulacan Marathon in Oct 2023

Marked in yellow are the 25 provinces where the Bicolano Penguin has finished a full mary or ultra already.  

The 2nd resolution is about kindling  this relatively new passion of the BP who has now evolved into a Mangrove Loving Penguin  (MLP).  This passion is about propagating and protecting mangrove forests, arguably one of the  most important ecosystems in dealing with the adverse effects of climate change. At present, the BP/MLP has already planted magroves in 6 provinces:  Cam Sur, Cam Norte, Albay, Sorsogon, Batangas and  Quezon. 

Marked in green are the 6 provinces where the Mangrove Loving Penguin has planted a mangrove already.  

The 3rd resolution is about continuing the BP's love affair with story-telling.  Writing about life experiences, especially about pursuing the joys of Runner's High and Helper's High, and posting the stories in the Bicolano Penguin blog.  The BP running blog was started way back in 2011 with assistance from fellow running blogger  Wandering Jouster. In 2023, 8 articles were posted. Looking forward to exceeding that number in 2024. Run to write.  Curre. Scribere. Vivite.  

The 4th resolution is about starting this new fascination of the power of stories thru videos in YouTube. In late 2023, just started the Mangrove Loving Penguin YouTube channel dedicated to all things mangroves. Has posted, thus far, 1 video and looking forward to growing this number.  Technically-challenged, the differentiators of MLP's videos are  authenticity and spontaneity.  No scripts needed, the MLP will gets it groove from the mangroves. 

There you have it.  4 resolutions for 2024. 

Feels great to be Human...