THE KNIGHTS RUN: Run for a Cause

December. Traditionally, it is that month of the year that we see schools all over the country having their alumni grand homecoming.  And for a school rich in tradition, it is no different for the Ateneo de Naga.

For this year 2019, the silver jubilarians is the Ateneo de Naga HS Batch 1994.  No doubt, they are planning a ton of activities to celebrate such a milestone.  One such event being organized by Batch 1994 is the Knights Run which will be held in the morning of  Dec 22. 

2019 STADTLAUFER SORSOGON MARATHON: The Gospel of Running

"Matthew 18:20  For when two or three are gathered unto my Name, there I am in their midst." 

Got to quote from the Bible when I was requested by Race Director Zenik Chavez to have the opening prayer for the program before the start of the 2019 Stadtlaufer Sorsogon Marathon last Aug 25.  It was an impromptu request and I had no choice but to improvise. 

2019 STADTLAUFER SORSOGON MARATHON: A Php 500 Marathon

A Php 500 Marathon?  Does a Unicorn really exist?  Is Bigfoot alive?

ULO NG APO MARATHON: Basag na Tuhod

"Basag na tuhod!"

A fellow runner blurted out to me as we crossed paths along the rolling hills into the  Iram resettlement area. With a lithe built and long legs,  he looked like a veteran runner that eats long distance runs for breakfast, but the use of these words and the exasperated tone of his voice belied the image.  The marathon course had defeated him and only a sliver of his pride was keeping him from quitting the race.     At that point in the backroads of Iram settlement area, we still had roughly 10 kilometers to  go before we finished the full 42 kms .  He then added - "Parang Ultra ito. Hindi marathon." Such was the rigorous affair that is the Ulo ng Apo Marathon.  It inspired dread and respect among majority of its marathon participants. Save for a sprinkling of elite runners, many did find the route very challenging.

RUN FOR JOJIE: Altra Auction

Pleasant surprises make us happier.

RUN FOR JOJIE: Coming Together for a Comrade in Sole

"No one fights alone!  Together we ran for Jojie."

These are words printed on the main tarpaulin in the SM Naga front yard as the fun run called "Run For Jojie" was underway on that breezy Sunday morning of June 30.  Truly, at that point in time, Jojie was not alone as there were more than a hundred runners present and raring to start in a fun run named after him.  Maybe even a canine or 2. Certainly, a ton of runners came out to show their solidarity for a fellow addict of running. A comrade in sole, so to speak.

HOKA CARBON X: Looks Lithe Moves Lithe

"This shoe is built to be fast."  

TP50: Tarlac my 17th Province

There were more than a handful of marathons and ultras held in late April and early May.  But it was the Tarlac to Pampanga 50K Ultramarathon (TP50) that the Bicolano Penguin joined.  The appeal of TP50 was two-fold.

PWD FUN RUN: PWeDe Pala

The PWD Fun Run this Sunday morning in UP Diliman is the shortest (at 2 kms) and the slowest (at an ave pace of 16 minutes per km) official run for the Bicolano Penguin.  But it is also the most fulfilling ever for me.

YAPAK YAKAP: Barefoot Philippines' Annual Color Run

"Preferential option  for the poor." 

MATSU: Haven for Ultra First-Timers

The Mt. Asog 360 Ultramarathon (MATSU) is proving to be a haven for runners gunning for their first ultramarathon. Now on its 2nd edition and organized by RUNconada, MATSU is kind of like the Tagaytay to Nasugbu (T2N) ultra which is organized by the grand daddy of Philippine ultramarathon - the Bald Runner.  Both MATSU and T2N are ultras with a 50km distance and have seen its fare share of ultra first timers.

ADEN83 AND CSI83 OUTREACH IN BUHI: Men & Women for Others

Tempting for me to end this blog article with just a posting of this cover photo.  After all, it is often said that a "picture is worth ten thousand words." And the cover photo does include the more than 2 dozens of smiling and euphoric Ateneans and the Colegialas of High School Batch 1983 together with the principal and a handful of public school teachers  that participated in the batch outreach last Feb 5, 2019 in Barangay Igbac in the town of Buhi.

ATENEO DE NAGA HS BATCH 1983 35TH BATCH REUNION: Remembrance of Things Past

Blogger's Note:  This short piece is written by fellow 83nean Dan Espiritu. It is actually a message from him after I shared the blog article about our 35th batch reunion last Dec 28. Touched by its depth and sincerity, I asked permission from Dan, who was the editor of our school paper back in the days,  to share it in my blog. Ever the gentleman, Dan  replied "yes, of course."   

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ATENEO DE NAGA HS BATCH 1983: A New Purpose in Life at 35

Blogger's Note:  This article written by fellow 83nean Noel "Ghibz" Guevara is a sharing of his reflections of the batch reunion we had last Dec. 28, 2018.  The Bicolano Penguin blog has featured Ghibz' writings more than a couple times already and his style is always packed with exuberant bravado. In his latest piece, the bravado may have been toned down but the trademark candid honesty is alive, kicking and taking no prisoners.  Enjoy. 
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ATENEO DE NAGA HS BATCH 1983 35TH REUNION: Play, Pray & Party