April 17th, 2010
Baby Gabriel’s Christening, Photo by wantet.
I was chosen as one of the ninang (godmother) of my colleague’s son baptism. Although this is my 3rd time to be chosen as a Ninang, I was still quite excited and happy to be part of this special occasion.
Maritess is one of the people I respect and look up to in the office. When I was still new in my job she was one of the people who really helped me and since then she has become one of my good friends. For her to chose me as a godmother for her son is quite an honor.
I was worried before today if I can attend the event as there were no longer any vacation leave slots available for April 17. Last night I took the risk and sent a message to my Team Lead if I can take an urgent half-day leave. I know that there’s no guarantee but I was quite desperate. He replied and told me that he will check and get back to me as he was outside. I wasn’t able to sleep well last night. I kept checking the BB to see if he has sent me a message. Morning came and there was no response from him.
I reported to work at 9am and kept thinking how I can attend Gabriel’s Christening. When my Team Lead came in 3 minutes past 9am he told me that as a one-time exception he was going to allow me to take a half-day urgent leave and that I can leave by 1pm. I was so ecstatic when he told me this.
I was quite fortunate that I didn’t get stuck on a call. Although I could leave at 1pm I went to finish my follow-up cases. By the time I left the office it was almost 2pm and had to hurry going back to my flat to leave my bag and take my camera. I didn’t had any time to eat my lunch as by the time I arrived in the flat it was already past 2:30pm. I rushed down and waited for a taxi but it was very difficult to find one available. After more than 10 minutes of waiting I was able to get one and was able to arrive just in time in Blessed Sacrament Church.
The occasion was quite special as it wasn’t only Gabriel’s Christening but it was also John’s and Maritess Church wedding. It was quite a good and memorable day today and I’m blogging this to help me remember in the future.
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January 9th, 2010
Sinulog 2009- Grand Parade, Photography by wantet.
Sinulog 2010 marks the 30th anniversary of the Sinulog. I’m pretty sure this one is going to one big and grand event compared to the previous Sinulog that I’ve witnessed. I can’t wait to go back home and celebrate!
The Sinulog 2010 celebration officially kicked off yesterday with the start of the Novena at the Basilica del Sto. Niño and a launching parade. The previous day, the Walk for Jesus was held from Fuente Osmeña Blvd. to the Basilica del Sto. Niño. This weekend the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan and the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan competitions will be held in Cebu City Sports Center.
For now I have to contain my excitement and be contented looking at the pictures taken by my friends.
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December 10th, 2009
Learning from my mistake on my previous run last month, I woke up as early as 4:15am to prepare for the half marathon run(21.1Km) which was going to start at 6:45am. I took shower and had a quick light breakfast.
Being early for the run certainly has a lot benefits. I arrived in the venue by 6am and still had enough time to leave my stuff at the baggage counter and warm-up. Most importantly, I was not too far behind from the starting line. At exactly 6:45am the half marathon race started. The race route was going to take us from Esplanade Drive to the following roads: Raffles Quay-Shenton Way-Prince Edward Rd-Marina Station Rd-East Coast Parkway-Rochor Rd-Temasek Avenue-Nicoll Highway-Mountbatten Rd-Stadium Rd-Nicoll Highway-Republic Avenue-Esplanade Drive-St Andrew’s Rd.
The first 6km went pretty well but after that I was starting to feel tired and realized I have a long way to go. I haven’t even reached the half-way mark of the 21.1Km run. Thinking that I might have ran too fast than my regular pace I decided not to push myself too much so I have enough energy to finish the run. I decided to mix running and a bit of walking and I have to admit it did take away some of my rhythm. After every few kilometers of running I would stop and walk. Reaching the half-way mark was quite a relief . At 16km mark I was already feeling pain on my feet and legs. The stop and walk became more frequent. I checked my time and I was trying to tell myself that I need to finish under 3 hrs. Reaching 18km I started to gain some life and ran from Nicoll Highway to Republic Avenue but when I was reaching near the F1 pit stop I was feeling very tired and had to walk again. I didn’t run until I was in Raffles Avenue going to Esplanade Drive. After reaching Fullerton I walked again and just before reaching St. Andrews Rd I ran again until the Finish line.
After 2:49:38 hrs I finished the 21.1km Half Marathon Run. I was super tired but quite happy to have finished the run under 3 hrs. After every race I always say to myself that I need to train harder and prepare better for the next race but always come up short. Anway, I still enjoyed the run which is the most important thing. Till the next run again..
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December 5th, 2009
The Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) will be happening tomorrow starting at the Esplanade Bridge. This year is my 2nd year to join the run. Last year I joined the 10K run finishing in 1:20:19 hrs(net time). This year I decided to push myself a bit further and signed up for the half-marathon (21.1km). This is going to be the longest that I’m going to run (excluding the Adventure Races that I’ve joined in the past). About a month ago I ran for 15 Km for the New Balance Real Run and I think I did just okay. Nothing impressive but I managed to finish the run despite doing a lot of catch up after being late for the run.
My preparation for this half-marathon has not really been very consistent but I think it’s better than last year. I didn’t really prepare much last year. This year I was really trying to run more and at a longer distance. It would have been much better if I was really running twice or thrice in a week. There are always distractions in between and sometimes I’m just too tired to run coming from work.
All I hope is I can finish tomorrow’s run at a decent time.
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November 27th, 2009
It’ s been almost 9 months since my last post here. I’ve been preoccupied with so many things the past few months plus I’ve just been plain lazy – no better excuse.
Just one more month and this year will come to a close. So far it’s been a great year for me. Traveled to Phuket and Bangkok last April and the following month after visited Bali again.
One of the most memorable things that happened this year was climbing Mt. Rinjani. Although I wasn’t able to reach the summit as it was closed due to Mt. Baru’s eruption just the experience of traveling alone to Lombok and making the trek all the way to the crater rim was already quite an accomplishment for me.
I am hoping that I can update my blog frequently starting today and I’m also planning to put up an online portfolio. There’s a lot of work to be done but I need to set a timeline if I want things to get done.
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April 4th, 2009
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March 19th, 2009
Last 28th February, Abby and I went to Jurong Bird Park to take advantage of the 2009 Reasons SMS Passport promo launched by the Singapore Tourism Board. We were no longer hoping that we can still obtain free tickets to the bird park as we arrived there past 12noon after having our brunch at Swensen’s in Jurong Point. We didn’t want to wake up early just to queue for free tickets on our precious weekend. We were satisfied in just getting a SGD2 discount off the standard ticket price of SGD18 per person. For several months now we have been planning to visit the bird park but never had the chance to do it until last Saturday.
We started our walk with the Penguin Expedition. I finally got to see King Penguins for real! I’ve always adored them and I was thrilled to see them alive although they are not in their natural habitat.
We headed to Flamingo Lake where a swarm of flamingos were wading in the water.
Jurong Falls, which is located within the African Waterfall Aviary, is the world’s tallest man-made waterfall in an aviary at 30 meters high.
Inside the African Waterfall Aviary are thousands of birds flying within the aviary which is covered by a net raised 35 meters high. Starlings and turacos can be seen feasting on fruits near the suspension bridge.
Starlings of different colors can be found inside the aviary and photographers were crowding to capture them.
Another attraction inside the bird park is the Dinosaur Descendants where the ostrich, doubled-wattled cassowary, greater and common rheas and emu can be found.
One of the exciting attractions inside the bird park is the Lory Loft where park visitors get the chance to feed the colorful lories for SGD3 per cup.
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February 22nd, 2009
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February 21st, 2009
Dusk at Labrador Jetty
I had long wanted visiting Labrador Nature Reserve after seeing Allan’s sunset photos last year.
I was not sure where the park is exactly located but with the help of Google Maps on the BlackBerry handheld, I was able to find it after more than 20 minutes of walking from the bus stop in Alexandra Road last Thursday.
It was a lot of walking but when I reached the park I was so delighted to see the view it offered. I regret I didn’t go there much earlier. There were plenty of interesting subjects to shoot inside the nature reserve.
I was just right in time to catch the sunset but the sun only showed itself for about a minute and it was covered by the clouds again. I wish I have a telephoto lens to catch the marvelous sunset but for now I have to be contented with my ultra-wide angle lens (Don’t get me wrong but I do love my UWA lens).
I will definitely come back to this place again and make sure I’ll come early next time.
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February 21st, 2009
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