My photo
I am a Bicolano by birth and choice. By any standards, I am a slow runner but I like it that way. I look at running as a healthy and exciting way to make a difference. Together with my fellow runners from our family, school, office, and the community, we use running to give back.

Philippine Marathoners in the Olympics


August 12 is the date set for the running of the men’s marathon in the 2012 London Olympics.  I have marked that date and I hope to be in front of a big TV/computer screen  to witness this great athletic spectacle.    Of all the sporting events of the Olympics, the marathon is the one that has provided great drama and high points.  


Olympic Games 2012 Marathon

LOPEZ LINK April 2012 Issue : Picture of Bicolano Penguin Inside


Lopez Link April 2012 Issue

FRONTRUNNER MAGAZINE Vol III Issue 2 2012: Picture of 83neans Inside




With a cover like this, I was excited to get my hands on the latest issue of the frontRUNNER magazine. Camilla Brooks is on the cover and the BDM tattoo on her back told me that the Volume III Issue 2 2012 is  about ultramarathons.


MY RUNNING KIT FOR THE 3RD T2N


My Zoot Icefill arm coolers, Headwear bandanna, Spyder sunglasses and Solatek cap


3rd T2N 50K Run: A Top Hit Among Newbies and Oldies Alike


“If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon.” These are words attributed to the great Czech runner, Emil Zatopek, gold medalist in the 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters and marathon at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. 

NEW BALANCE 880 : IN A BLINK I LIKE IT


The New Balance running shoes that the Bicolano Penguin has recently purchased are the NB 880.  


The NB 880 looks cool in blue

WHAT BRAND OF RUNNING SHOES WILL I BUY FOR MY NEW PAIR?


For one year now, I have exclusively been using Asics running shoes, the Cumulus to be specific, for my running.  To my mind,  Asics provides the best in cushioning.  And for long distances beyond 42 kms,  a generous amount of cushioning is an ultra runner’s best friend.

DO I NEED A NEW PAIR OF RUNNING SHOES?


For the past 12 months, the Bicolano Penguin has purchased or been given 4 new pairs of running shoes :  a pair of  Asics Cumulus 12 (purchased from A Runner’s Circle), two pairs of Asics Cumulus 13 (gifted by my sister for my  birthday and by my wife as a X’mas present), and a pair of Asics GT 2160 (pasalubong from my sister-in-law).  

2nd INTEGRITY RUN: Running For Integrity Towards a New Philippines


Thousands of  runners of various shapes, sizes, color and age, joined the 2nd Integrity Run this May 6, 2012  at the Bonifacio Global City. This fun run against corruption is an annual endeavor of the Makati Business Club (MBC) and the European Chamber of Commerce of Philippines (ECCP).  It is part of the Integrity Initiative which is  a private sector-led campaign that aims to promote common ethical standards among various sectors of society. It operates on the principle of inclusion and collective action.




Father and Son at the Village Pool


In the midst of these hot days of summer (the scientific folks at PAGASA would not yet call it “heat wave”), what should the Bicolano Penguin do?  Answer:  Go back to where he came from.  But Bicol is  hot and more  humid while Antartica is many many many miles and dollars away.    Stupid me.