Endurance Test: The Rogin-E Last Man Running Marathon

I was there last Sunday at the Rogin-E Last Man Running Marathon not to run but to make sure that the runners were hydrated. I was at station 5 located at Bayanihan Rd. near Heritage Park.

A misfortune happened minutes before the race started. One of the tables suddenly fell down with the gallons of water that made a total mess of our area.  And we have to move and set everything again.

At approximately 5am the race started.

The event has 3 categories: 5K, 10K and the Last Man Running.

For the LMR (Last Man Running) category, a P50,000 prize was waiting for the sole winner. What made this race different was that the runners had to maintain a pace. A pace runner was there to serve as their guide. Failure to meet that requirement, meant elimination from the race.

The runners for the LMR category run for 7 hours! I was truly amazed with that display of physical endurance under the scorching heat of the sun.

Out of 52 who joined the LMR, 8 made it through until 11am. Two of which were actually gorgeous women.

With Bearwin Miley. Photo by Raffy.

with the LMR winner. He is P50K richer. Photo courtesy of Michelle P.

Photo by Michelle.

cheering the runners

See more pictures at:  http://www.activemoments.net/index.php/Rogin-E---Last-Man-Running---2011 

You may also visit the following blogs:

http://travel.yekram.com/
http://kulitrunner.wordpress.com/2011/01/10/rogin-e-last-man-running-route-maps-and-singlet-design/

60 kph rule in QC

Finally!

You'll surely agree that a lot of motorists here in our country drive like they own the streets; as if they never care of the traffic regulations.  They create their own rules!

However with the new regulation implemented in Quezon City, setting 60kph as the speed limit along Commonwealth Avenue, aggressive motorists should get tamed. As per news, if they get caught by the camera, their vehicles will be flagged by the LTO, and they couldn't renew their registrations or driver's license.

I hope that they are really serious in implementing this regulation, not even government officials should be exempted. And I hope this would also be implemented in other areas in the metro.

Read article: 

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/211333/motorists-warned-vs-defying-60-kph-rule-along-killer-highway

MRT Accidents

Is there a reason to be paranoid? If you typically take an MRT (Metro Rail Transit ) ride everyday, there is a reason to.  I am not scaring you, but accidents like what had been reported all over the media this week is just so hard to ignore.

Last Tuesday, it was reported that the downward escalator at the MRT Ayala Station suddenly stopped. 10 people were said to be hurt and 2 were serious according to the GMA News.

And on Thursday, the brakes of a train got stuck near the Santolan Station. As reported in Manila Times, smoke was seen in front of the train that caused a commotion. The passengers rushed to get outside. Seven passengers were reported to be injured.

The train has to be replaced but due to budget constraint, that won't be possible. Unless the MRT would push through with their fare hike then they could probably come up with a budget.

I just hope the changes has to made quickly. If something needs repair, maintenance or replacement, I hope it is going to happen soon. We are talking about lives here.

photo from GMA News TV 

Suggested readings: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/211071/mrt-muling-nagkaaberya-kalumaan-ng-gamit-sinisi-ng-opisyal

New taxi rate in Metro Manila

The new taxi rates are expected to be implemented today. From P30, the minimum fare is now P40 and the additional charge for every 300-meter distance jumps from P2.50 to P3.50.

So this would mean that if I am used to paying P65 from my place going to work, I would approximately add P15-20 should I decide to take a cab.

The new hike order covers Metro Manila and Cebu City.

Taxi drivers and operators however, need to install calibrated meter that issue receipts. Failure to do so, passengers can refuse to pay the new fare.

I heard it would cost like P4,000 for the calibration. With that, I doubt if taxis would b able to install it immediately. It will probably take a month or 2 to have get it done.

For sure, this would impact on how things are.  Salaried employee like me would most likely consider taking a jeepney or FX instead unless, there would be a salary hike too.

Cheaper Medicines

photo from http://www.doh.gov.ph/photogallery/displayimage.php?album=188&pos=3



GMA’s administration is not a total failure. I don’t want to be so antagonistic with her governance. Somehow, beyond all the commotion and controversies, I say that she is a hardworking president. This is just my opinion and I’m sure that a lot of people would protest on what I say.

I am not saying this because I wanted to make choose a stand between the government and the struggling masses. All I am saying is I would like to commend the government under Arroyo’s presidency for something worth commending.

Last July 28th, the president signed an executive order that imposed an across-the-board 50% price reduction on 5 essential medicines. The price reduction took effect last August 15. The issuance of the said executive order is the exercise of the mandate under the “cheaper medicines law”. The so-called law gives power to the president to impose the maximum retail price on selected essential medicines as per recommendation by the health secretary. As reported, pharmaceutical companies consented to reduce the prices of 16 other essential medicines which were found by DOH to be highly priced and volunteered to reduce 22 other medicines as well.

Since a free healthcare is far-fetched, I have to say that I find this move favorable. This addresses the immediate need of the ailing Filipinos. However, I have to point out as well that this is, as I have already said addresses the immediate need, therefore it is just a short-term relief. As what I have read, this program entails the importation of medicines from India. Looking at the bigger picture, we see the Philippines to be more and more dependent from other countries. The program doesn’t promote our own drug industry. Read the Health Alliance for Democracy for more information http://www.bulatlat.com/news/2-23/2-23-rey.html

But then again, I think that this initiative is good enough.

Just a dinner

President Arroyo and her entourage spent a P1million for one extravagant dinner in a fancy restaurant in New York. This enraged a lot of concerned citizen. How in the world could they ever spend that lavishly amidst the never-ending strife of the Filipinos.

Here is the picture of Le Cirque in New York where the presidential group was said to have eaten their $20,000 dinner.

photo copied from About.com



Whether it was paid by Leyte Rep. Romualdez or not, the point is they have spent much for it. It is an issue of delicadeza as Atty. Gaby pointed it out in Unang Hirit this morning.

It is so sad that these people who were entrusted to run our country do not set good example at this time of global economic crisis. They are trying to justify it by saying that they were celebrating the wedding anniversary of the president and also by saying that the delegates were hungry. Let them tell that to those hungry Filipinos. Their excuses are just so lame that I can’t help but raise an eyebrow.

As government officials, they are entitled to a respectable dinner but a million worth of dinner is unreasonable.

Malacaňang Palace refused to say sorry. Whether they asked for apology or not, the deed was already done. But this is an issue that people don’t normally get a way with. This for sure would mobilize critics, reformists or activists. This entails more discussions and disputes for the executive pork barrel. For 2007, P693 million was said to be the audited budget for presidential trips. And each year, that increases. Now, who would say that we don’t have money.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said that this is a propaganda to anger the people. They have said to occupy only two tables and ordered a “set” meal consisting of soup, salad, a main course, drinks and coffee or tea.

Here is the article posted last August 7 in NY Post by Richard Johnson:
The economic downturn hasn't persuaded everyone to pinch pennies. Philippines President Maria Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was at Le Cirque the other night with a large entourage enjoying the good life, even though the former comptroller of her country's armed serv ices, Carlos Garcia, was found guilty earlier this year of per jury and two of his sons were arrested in the US on bulk cash-smuggling charges. Maca pagal-Arroyo ordered several bottles of very expensive wine, pushing the dinner tab up to $20,000.
NY Post

The restaurant tab, purported copies of which have since circulated on blogs, showed that the Arroyo delegation had five servings of wild golden osetra caviar ($1,400), 11 bottles of Krug champagne ($5,610), and 25 orders each of the Chef’s Seasonal Menu and Tasting Menu (totaling $1,450 and $4,500 respectively), along with 17 other items.
Inquirer

Government officials need to be reminded once again that they are living in public scrutiny.

This is simply embarrassing and unacceptable.



photo from http://www.ellentordesillas.com/