Bataan Death March 102K Ultramarathon 2010: A friend’s field report

March 11, 2010

“It is only through sacrifice that man can achieve true greatness.”

Maybe it was self-inflicted sacrifice, but the constant pain of training and the never-ending mental and physical struggle of long-distance running were necessary for them to get to the finish line. 

I’m referring to the participants of the recently held Bataan Death March (BDM) 2010 Ultramarathon.  And one particular person stood out amongst them, primarily because he is the only person I knew who participated.

Francis Randy “F.R.” Hortelano finished his first 102-kilometer ultramarathon at this year’s BDM ultramrathon.  And would you believe that he only started running a little less than a year ago?

I myself am a witness to his development, being his batchmate at AMCI.  From running 1.6 kilometers in 11 minutes to finishing first in our mandatory 15K run at under one hour and 20 minutes, F.R. stands as an inspiration to many who know him.

Read more about him at Running Diva’s blog.

Photo taken from our Orientation and 15-K run weekend in October 2009.

Bill Shaw of Jeepney Magazine on Greater Good Philippines

March 8, 2010

Bill Shaw, executive director of Urban Opportunities for Change and co-founder (with his wife, Debbie) of Jeepney Magazine, talks about the first street paper in developing Asia and his involvement with the Homeless World Cup.  Catch the full interview with Bill Shaw only here on Greater Good Philippines.

 

First Ignite Manila draws cheers

March 3, 2010

Manila joins 63 cities in six continents for the Global Ignite Week slated from March 1 to 5.  Ignite Manila, held at Mag:net Cafe on March 2, draws 16 presenters talking about a gamut of topics ranging from promoting atheism and reproductive health, to explaining the dynamics of Go and talking about how a soccer ball can change lives.

These presenters join hundreds across the world presenting in front of more than 10,000 people.

This video shows outtakes from the event, including a brief interview with Red Tani, organizer and host of Ignite Manila.  Red talks about the learning lessons taken from the first ever event of its kind held in Manila and what we can expect in the next Ignite event.

First Club Manila East Surfing Cup a success!

March 1, 2010

Club Manila East successfully held its first ever indoor surfing competition on February 27.  Organized by the Philippine Surfing Academy, the Surfing Cup 2010 drew two dozen amateur surfers to CME’s Ocean Wave pool to display their skills.

Competition results:
3rd place - Mark Go
2nd place - Lincoln Ong
Champion - Ed Gualberto

This video, courtesy of Diarito.com, shows Paulo Soler, instructor at PSA; and Reu Dellota, operations manager of CME, talking about surfing and the prospects of the sport in the country.

(more…)

Ignite is coming to… Manila!!!

February 19, 2010

“Enlighten us, but make it quick.” 

This new trend and style in powerpoint presentation has finally reached Philippine shores.  Manila will join more than 50 cities in six continents on March 1 to 4 for the Global Ignite Week. 

A motley line-up of 16 individuals will present about their passion, initiative and/or areas of expertise in a form defined by Forbes.com as “the end to boring presentations”.

Hear from the likes of Bill Shaw, editor-in-chief of Jeepney Magazine; Paul Zialcita, percussionist and youth leader; Carlos Celdran, changemaker and tourism entrepreneur; and many more!

Ignite is an on-going series of fast-paced presentations using 20 slides that automatically advance every 15 seconds.  To me, it’s like TED….only shorter.

RSVP now at the Ignite Manila website.  The event will be held on March 2 at Mag:net Cafe, Fort Bonifacio from 7pm to 11pm.