NUVALI’S Dirt Weekend 2013: Setting up World-Class Mountain Bikers

In the International scene, the Philippine mountain biking as a sport is pretty much young compared to other countries in the west. But even as young bikers as we are, Filipino’s never fail to achieve audacious feats and acquire skills that would certainly be at par with anybody else. Mountain biking has been around for several decades and our bike trails all over the country side are noted to be one the best in the world. So with these promising environments, it won’t be long that we will someday dominate the sport. 

Last April 24, 2013, NUVALI, one of the most progressive eco-tourism park and landscape in Sta. Rosa Laguna hosted the press launch of Dirt Weekend 2013. Dirt Weekend, a premier mountain biking event is running on its 4th year. In previous Dirt Weekends, it showcased four different mountain biking disciplines that are being participated by more than 2000 mountain bikers from all over the country. The biking events were Four Cross, 24 hour mounting bike, Trail Mountain biking with Orienteering and Cross Country Race. 

However, this year some events would be slashed-out and will give way to other events that can be participated by not-so-hardcore biking disciplines. These cycling events will encourage more novice bikers, designed to be enjoyed by family members and by those who are just starting to make mountain biking as a leisure sport. 

Another breakthrough of this event is the honor of earning a professional badge in the international cycling community no less than the Switzerland-based world governing body Union Cyclist International (UCI). Participants can be assured that the venue and organizers of this event passes the international standard and podium finishers can be ranked and be qualified to join other international cycling anywhere in the world. The events are also be judged by UCI Official Reps Ms. Beatrice Lawaja of Malaysia and Oscar Rodriguez of the Philippines. 

So this coming April 26 to 28, 2013, Dirt Weekend will anticipate thousands of bikers that will swarm the rugged trails of 1,860 hectare of Ayala Land Development. Among the local groups participating are Bikeworx, Sabak, Potato Corner, Yellow Cab, KTM, John Wilkie, EXO or the Executive Off-Road Cycling Association, Cycline (Mindanao) and Prima Isuzu D-Max. 

Run United 2 2013 Offers new surprises for its Loyal runners

One down, two to go!

Approximately less than two months from now, the Unilab Active Health epic run, Run United 2 2013 will hold its second leg at the of SM Mall of Asia’s popular running circuit. Last March 17, when Run United kicked-off the first leg, there were more than 12,000 people ran covering most of the road traffic of the streets of Sen. Gil Puyat and Macapagal Avenue. But according to its long time run organizing partner Run Rio, they are confident that the second leg would surpass the last one.

Last April 14, 2013, the organizers cooked up something different in the usual press launch that they made in the past. The sponsors together with some friends in the media were treated to three loops of running at the university oval inside UP Diliman and each loop is measured approximately 2.2 kilometers. But prior to that, all of us had a comprehensive warm up session led by the coach himself, Mr. Rio Dela Cruz.

After the very relaxing 6.6k run, another fun event was prepared that really pushed some media runners to their optimum limits of stamina. A handful of volunteers were set in a friendly competition of sprint running with the combination of Burpees exercise. Among the runners who joined, top three were selected being the fastest and was given prizes for the efforts. Surprisingly, I came out third place. 

After the fun and very active event outdoors, we all proceeded inside for the press launch and were served with a filling breakfast that everyone enjoyed. Officers from Unilab even had session on the basic nutritional values that can be found in ENERVON Active multivitamins and how it is different from other sports food supplements. Soon after, coach Rio explained some of the highlights of the RU2 2013 and other exciting surprises that await the runners.

The following are the details of the race…

2013 Run United 2 will be held on June 2, 2013 with Ceelin 500m dash, 10k, 21k and 32k race categories. All categories will have a start and finishline at the SM Mall of Asia.

REGISTRATION VENUES:

Online Registration: April 1 to May 12, 2013
In-Store Registration: April 15 to May 19, 2013
Priority Registration for Run United 1 21k Runners: April 10 – 14, 2013 (only at Riovana BGC)

RIOVANA

• BGC –28th Street corner 9th Ave., Bonifacio Global City –Monday to Sunday from 12nn to 8pm
• KATIPUNAN – 3rd Floor Regis Center, Katipunan, QC (infront of ADMU) – Monday to Sunday       from 12nn to 8pm

TOBY'S

• SM Mall of Asia – Monday to Sunday, 12PM to 8PM
• SM North – The Block – Monday to Sunday, 12PM to 8PM

REGISTRATION FEES:

Race Category Registration

Fee Inclusions
Pre-Race Post-Race
500m Php350 Singlet, Race Bib, D-Tag, 10% Race Day Discount on AH Apparel, & Raffle Stub Active Health Ventilation Knapsack Kit, Drinks & Race Analysis

10K Php800

21K Php900 Singlet, Race Bib, D-Tag, 10% Race Day Discount on AH Apparel, & Raffle Stub Active Health Ventilation Knapsack, Finisher’s Medal, Finisher’s Shirt, Drinks & Race Analysis

32K Php1000

ASSEMBLY AND GUN START TIMES:

Race Category Assembly Time Gun Time
500m 6:00am 7:00am
10km 4:30am 5:30am
21km 3:00am 4:00am
32km 2:00am 3:00am

REMINDERS:

• Registration is on a first come, first serve basis, and may end earlier than the announced deadline. Race kits may run out before May 19, 2013.
• Singlet size availability will be on a first come first serve basis.
• Singlet and finishers shirt samples will be available for fitting at the registration centers.
• A timing device (d-tag) will be used by all participants during the race.
• D-tag will be presented when claiming the finishers’ kits – no d-tag, no kit.

RACE DETAILS:

• Race details are available at the following websites: www.unilabactivehealth.com and www.runrio.com.
• Registration Queries: feedback@runrio.com

CONTACT DETAILS:

For In-Store Registration Inquiries:
• Globe – 0927 347 7700
• Smart – 0929 7178164
• Landline – (632) 887 6194

Kuse: An Authentic Filipino Cuisine

KUSE – short for Kusinero, a local town “chef” who cooks for big gatherings like wedding, baptismal and other special occasion to almost everybody in the neighborhood. Every rural town in the country has its local “Kuse” and each kuse in every province has its specialty noted for every it’s expertise. 

The Chef Quarter Group of Restaurants opened the KUSE Traditional Filipino Cuisine last 2009 at Venice Piazza, Mckinley Hill to capture the authentic taste and look of the most love Filipino delicacies of every region in the country. These are the food that Filipinos would expect to eat at any weddings or Baptism celebrations cooked at the back of the celebrant’s house in charcoal and wood.

Last week, I was invited to experience the masterful creation of Chef Mau of Chef’s Quarter which surprisingly, was originally from Liliw, Laguna. I discovered also that his dad was used to be the local Kuse of Liliw, and eventually got the inspiration of becoming like one. Along with other food bloggers, we were served some of the specialty and best sellers of the house.

We started our food tasting by trying out a few appetizers. The Mini Ukoy with Visayan Sauce is a crispy fried mixture of taro, shrimp and vegetables. The Ukoy is just one of the usual dish a Filipino family would serve in any given day, but this one was definitely special. A much better version of the one I normally cook at home. 

We also tried their Pork Sisig but take note, it’s the Kapangpangan style. I’ve tasted a lot of sisig in my life and each region has its own version of sisig, but I admit, nothing beats the original style –the Kapangpangan style. 

Another memorable dish that were served was the Salmon skin Chicharon. What makes it special was the crispiness and the vinegar mix for dips. Another food in their menu that many would look forward to is the Sinigang na Bangus sa Bayabas. For some who are used to eat Sinigang in other styles like Sampalok, or with Gabi, the Sinigang Na Bangus sa Bayabas can be an acquired taste, because it’s not very common. But for some who likes Sinigang like me, this one is definitely a treat.

The Paco (Fern) Salad ng Laguna is one blast-from-the-past experience. A delicacy that’s very common among Laguna, Quezon and Bicol natives. Although each province has its own version, the we had was a much simpler yet very tasteful with just a mixture of good vinegar dressing, onions and tomatoes and that’s it! :)

Of course, these were just among the many delicacies Kuse has to offer its guests who want to taste the best foods served in the local home town where the “kuse” can only give. 

Visit Kuse in the following branches:
• Kuse Venice Piazza, Mckinley Hill (Tel. 836-4969)
• Kuse Lucky China Town Mall, Binondo, Manila (Tel. 708-9576)
• Kuse Eton Centris Walk, EDSA, Quezon City (Tel. 709-9817)

The Amazing Pinoy Fun Run: Putting the “Fun” back to Fun Run

The running culture in the Philippines is certainly getting stronger year after year and so does the runners who, just a few years back were running short distances but now running full-marathons. In many running events, it has been very evident that a longer distance category has the most number of delegations.

Apparently, many beginners this year are finding hard to get a good start in running life style simply because many got too intimidated by seasoned runners. That is why; running organizers are now geared to organizing shorter distances to put back the “Fun” in the fun run.

This coming April 27, 2013, a very unusual run organizer will stage the Amazing Pinoy Fun Run at the popular running hub of the Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. This band of athletes is most popularly known in a different type of sport which is full-contact rugby. I’m talking about, our very own; the Philippine Volcanoes headed by Andrew Wolf, Chris Everingham and celebrities Jon Avila and Survivor Philippines finalists, Sheena Vera Cruz.

Primarily, the objective of this endeavor is to promote the running to those who are contemplating to start a running as a healthy life style. The running event will feature some other challenges along the course that is fun and unique. These obstacles are moderately challenging so that all runners will enjoy it. As an advocacy, the run will also benefit two foundations namely Filipino Needy Children’s Fund and Clark jets Rugby club, a group of underprivileged youths who are into rugby and are being trained by the Philippine Volcanoes themselves.

Last March 19, 2013, members of the media, both traditional and online were invited to witness the press launching of the Pinoy Amazing Fun Run at the second level of Fitness and Athletics at the Bonifacio Global City. At the press launch, one thing that is very noticeable, is that the Volcanoes were very much hands on in running the event. Much different from the other fun run launch I’ve attended where celebrity ambassadors limited only to answer questions from the press and pose in photo ops. As much as these athletes were the ones running everything, they were also the ones who did the distribution of kits themselves, and even cleaned up the place after the press launch ended. Truly, these athletes are not just modeling sports and healthy life style but a healthy character as well, that everyone should emulate. 

The Amazing Pinoy Fun Run is now open for registration in all Chris Sports outlet in Metro Manila, Fitness & Athletics and ROX. This event is also supported by Golds Gym, Greenwich, Energizer, Chick, The Medical City, Timex, Berocca, Jack City, Jack TV, ETC, Manila Bulletin and Philippine Daily Inquirer. For more details, log on to www.amazingpinoyrun.com , like Amazing Pinoy Run 2013 on FaceBook and the Race on Twitter.

But wait, there's more! :)

Trails Unlimited is raffling off three (3) Amazing Pinoy Run race kits, 2k, 5k and 10k respectively. Through an electronic selection via random.org, I'll be picking out three lucky runners who will win either a 2k, 5k or 10k race categories. All you have to do is to like Trails Unlimited Facebook fan page, Amazing Pinoy Run  2013 Facebook fan page, comment as to what category you like to participate in and share this promo to any of your five friends. That's it!

Winners will be announced one week before April 27, 2013.