Colin and I haven't fully decided where to settle yet but our first option is to try it out in the Philippines where everything is cheaper than Singapore or London. For the past 2 months, we have been toying with the idea of buying a property here in the Philippines. At first, we went to view condominiums available at St. Francis Shangri-la place. We even saw the 105 million peso-worth 3-bedroom penthouse featured by Daphne Oseña-Paez. It was beautiful but way too expensive! After seeing a couple of other units, we fell in love with this 3-bedroom 210-square meter penthouse unit that was somehow within our budget. We were excited as the towers have that WOW factor we were looking for. =)


the facade of the house we like so far
When I told my mom and a couple of good friends about our choice, we usually got the same comment that with that amount of money, we're better off buying a house and lot. And so, we went around Green Meadows, Acropolis and the Valle Verde area but nothing stood out. Some were nice but none had that WOW factor we were looking for. We want an area with lots of trees that would make us feel as if we're outside the metropolis.


the house upon entry through the main door
The weekend before my engagement, my mom and Colin (yup, just the 2 of them while I was busy with my exams) went to the La Vista and Loyola Grand Villas area. The moment they entered the village, Colin loved the feel of having a lot of trees around. He liked how it was much under the radar compared to the exclusive villages in Makati. The lot areas were huge and the security was pretty good. Unfortunately, the 2 houses they viewed weren't up to his standards. But he definitely loved the place and asked me to check what else are available in the area.


the main lounge
Finally today, we viewed a unit in the same village with a lot area of 600 square meters, a nice modern house and ample space for a garden. From all the other properties we have viewed, this is the one we like best. I personally love the space and the amount of natural light that enters the house all throughout the day. We went there in the afternoon so it was still pretty hot. The house has the right ventilation and we can feel the breeze especially on the 3rd floor rooms. All four bedrooms were huge and with nice big windows! I can see one of the rooms converted to our personal gym and spinning area! Hahaha! Colin loved the garden area and the lanai where he can see himself entertaining family and friends over drinks and barbeque. =)


the lanai and the garden
We can see ourselves living in that house but we don't want to rush into things. This will be such a big investment that we want to make sure we buy the right place for us. We're not in a hurry anyway but it was definitely nice to see what the market can offer. But again, this house is so far the best one we have seen and it's well within the budget. So let's see. =P

A lot of my close family and friends thought I was not the marrying type. I thought I will never get married for the simple reason that I have been happy and content with how things are going in my life. As my brother would say it, "marriage is not a need." I guess I am bound to eat my words once I met my match in the person of my ever-supportive boyfriend, Mr. Colin Anthony Pearson. Aside from being a successful regional director in investment banking and a strong cyclist (plus plus pogi points!), he is the kindest man I've ever met. He's very straightforward. I never had to play mind games with him. Being with him is effortless. I can be myself since he complements my crazy self with his very decisive and focused demeanor. We both value hardwork, education, a healthy lifestyle and keeping a few great friends. When I crossed that finish line in Paris with him by my side after a grueling 4 days of cycling 1200 kilometers with just 9 hours of sleep, I knew he was for keeps. I knew that he has a strong body, a strong mind and a strong heart to tackle any issues in life. You see, I believe that relationships are not measured when it's all nice and rosy. It is measured best when both parties are outside their comfort zone.


fantastic view from our hotel's balcony
A month ago, Colin and I went window shopping at Marina Bay Sands while waiting for our dinner reservations at Mario Batali's Pizzeria Mozza. It was that same evening that we saw the theater production of Wicked in Singapore. Our window shopping was more of just checking out engagement rings from famous shops like Cartier, Sookie, Bulgari, etc. Honestly, it was more like "pretend" to me because I don't normally go to such stores. And if ever I enter one, I would rather check out their watches than the jewelry. =P I even asked Colin about the importance of engagement rings... why not engagement watches? =P Anyway, we wanted to see if we had the same taste when it comes to jewelry. We both like very simple pieces that are more elegant and of a very polished look. Having a great grand mother and a grand mother who have been into jewelry selling, it's a shame I never really got into it and lack the basic know-how on the topic. =P


what's a weekend without some cycling?
Colin and I make it a point to see each other every weekend. One of us usually fly 2-3x a month to spend time with the other. I thought this weekend would just be like any other weekend in Singapore. I was seriously mistaken. When he picked me up last Friday, he told me that instead of heading to his apartment at Pasir Panjang, we were staying at Swissotel The Stamford for the weekend. The room had a great view of the city. He said there was a good deal in the hotel and that we were even given a complimentary bottle of red wine. I knew something was up about this weekend because he let me sleep in until 9am on Saturday morning. He normally wakes me up early for our usual Saturday ride. After a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, we rode our 2-wheeled machines. But instead of doing our usual 120-140km RTI ('round the island) ride, I was again surprised that he wanted to head back with barely 30km on our cyclo-computers. He said he booked us a spa treatment at 4pm and he wanted us relaxed just before that. We spent 2 heavenly hours in the spa and we came out very refreshed and well-rested. We headed back to our hotel for some pre-dinner drinks, which we usually have, while enjoying the fantastic view from our room. After finishing a bottle of Veuve Cliquot, he opened a bottle of Don Perignon... Wow! We usually only have this on special occasions. When I asked him about what's special about today, he just said he found it cheap at the Duty Free... Yeah Right!


bling! bling!
After a few more minutes he said he has a surprise for me. I was giddy because I like his surprises. In the past, he usually asks me to close my eyes and spread my arms for a package that has always been related to cycling... Last time he did this was in Bintan during our birthday weekend and I got a new set of Assos cycling kit! =) He asked me to close my eyes again and I was thinking he probably got me a new Campagnolo crankset for my seven since I've always wanted to replace the ones I got from Europe with a shorter crank arm length. I could hear him rummaging through his bag and next thing I knew, I felt this small circular metallic object on my right palm... I opened my eyes and started crying. Colin was kneeling in front of me and I can see tears rolling down his face. He asked me to marry him and I hugged him tight and said "of course!". It was one of the happiest moments of my life and I could never describe such feeling of elation. Ganito pala ang feeling! =)


the best steak dinner ever at Wolfgang Puck's The Cut!
He then said he made reservations for The Cut at Marina Bay Sands. We've always wanted to try the steak at this place. I have not been willing to shell out 700 dollars for a steak dinner unless it's to celebrate a special occasion. And this is definitely one of those occasions! However, I didn't have clothes to wear as I only brought casual and cycling apparel for the weekend. Alas, after a few minutes, room service brought in a paper bag containing one of my simple black dresses and a pair of black pumps! Colin had everything planned! I'm impressed! We enjoyed the best steak dinner we've ever had at the nicest corner booth table of the restaurant. The food, the service, the ambience and the company were all superb! =) Another great surprise for the weekend!


Lunch at Pietrasanta with family and friends
When we got back to the hotel, he said we should check out the bar at the top-most floor since it gives a great 360 degree view of the city at night. I was still feeling energized about the whole engagement and so I was game to check the night life at the New Asia Bar. When we got there, Mike, one of Colin's closest friends was there. He flew from Zurich and was flying to Australia and decided to have his layover in Singapore (instead of Hong Kong) for the engagement weekend. Colin and Mike directed me to the VIP section of the bar and minutes later, David Bellette, Whee Kee and my mom, my brother and my sister (Clarissa) arrived! It was such a nice surprise to have the Bellettes and my family around to celebrate! No wonder my mom hasn't been responding to my calls and my text messages minutes after I got engaged! I didn't even know that they were in Singapore! We were all crying again and was just so happy! Colin did a big production for this engagement. He said he's been planning this for a month and he went back to Marina Bay Sands the day after we went window shopping to buy the ring right away. I am one lucky girl to have him in my life... =)


I'm engaged! =)
We danced the night away until 1:30am and had to call it a night. He let me sleep in again on Sunday morning. It was a leisurely morning until we had to get ready for our lunch at Pietrasanta. I thought we were only meeting the Julianos, the Bellettes and the Walkers for lunch. When we arrived, there was a table for 16 people set-up under Colin's name. Some of our dearest friends were joining us for lunch to celebrate the engagement... KC, Seb and Niccola, Bo and Lian, and my family! It was nice to have them around and enjoy lunch together in one of our favorite Italian restaurants in Singapore. Another great surprise! =)

All along, I thought the hotel booking, the shortened cycling ride, the spa treatment, the pre-dinner drinks were just activities he wanted to do to relax himself. I was thinking he's probably stressed from work as he has also been quite uptight since Friday. I didn't see this coming at all (well, not this soon anyway) and it was truly a great surprise. April 21, 2012 will always be dear to me as this is the day i said "yes!" to the most important man in my life. This is going to be one great journey! =)

I rode with Col, Nina, Zean, Rome and JAC Motors today and had a great time. I rode with the fast guys until we hit the climb of Payapa and decided to enjoy the rest of the ride with Nina. We had a great catch-up during the climb up which made us forget about the heat and the torturous hills. =)



I introduced the group to Mang Petring's lovely home that provides cyclists free cold water and ice. Their sari-sari store has been a great stop with its chilled drinks, readily available snacks and funny conversations with the old Magsino couple. It also helps that they have a clean toilet. =)


post-ride lunch
And last but not the least, nothing beats a heavy lunch of pizza and pasta just after the ride. I'm definitely loving Il Gallo Nero for this! =)

I am still on Cloud 9 having experienced a week with the family and one of my coolest uncles. We rarely get together as a family nowadays since all the kids have grown up and everyone seems to be leading his/her own life. =)


great weather just outside Osaka Castle Park
This is the family's 3rd trip to Japan and we can't help but be fascinated with the culture and the gastronomic offerings of the country. For the record, this trip is a "business trip" and a "team building session" for the stockholders of VantageOne. We did discuss some business matters albeit briefly and we just bonded over food, cultural experiences and shopping! =)


horsing around inside the Osaka Castle
I tried to squeeze in some studying as well for some proficiency exams for UP MBA. Having graduated with an engineering degree, I vowed to at least pass the exams on Algebra, Calculus and Statistics. Ang hirap mag-aral ulit! Almost 10 years out of college, it's difficult for me to hit the books again the way I used to back in the university. Years of corporate work made my technical and mathematics know-how somewhat rusty. Anyway, I brought my books and some notes for practice and studied every time I can... usually while the whole family is out shopping. I enjoyed discovering coffee places and really good coffee especially in the Shinsaibashi and Dotonburi area. I just hope all this studying would at least help me pass my target subjects. As for math of finance and accounting, I'll definitely need those workshops in May!


kids at heart
One of the nicest things about family vacations is that I feel like a kid again. It's nice to feel a little spoiled by my mom. Such trips bring back lots of really nice childhood memories of family travel and bonding. Another great thing about this trip is that one of my favorite uncles, Tito Tony, surprised us the moment we got to our hotel and said that he'll be with us for a week! That was so cool! =) He's one of those people who are brilliant and excellent in his chosen field and also has an open-mind. He has seen the world and always gives good advice and valuable insight on a lot of things.


just outside the Osaka Aquarium Kayuikan
I wasn't much into shopping but I did get to buy a couple of items. I couldn't resist buying some nice Japanese bookmarks and a few boxes of green tea kitkat and roasted tea kitkat. I managed to buy a nice ukiyo-e painting. I've been collecting these paintings and artwork from my travels hoping someday to have a house filled with these small mementos from my trips. =) The ukiyo-e painting I bought is a traditional wooden block painting of waves in vivid colors. The moment I saw it, I told myself I just have to have it! =)


with Cla and Solo
Anyway, I had a blast the past week. It's been an amazing trip and we all didn't want to leave yet as it has been so much fun! We were all talking about something more exotic for next time like Bhutan and Nepal. I hope it pushes through soon! That would definitely be my cup of tea! =)


in Kyoto's Kiyumizudera Temple

Vuelta Dagupan is the first race I've joined this year and it was a blast albeit the suffering. =P Biking up Baguio is somewhat a mecca for the Filipino cyclist. This race has the toughest climbs I've ever encountered in any race. Stage 1 was a 90km road race from Dagupan City to Baguio City with a 38km climb via Marcos Highway. Stage 2 was a 60km road race from Agoo, La Union to Baguio City with a 34km climb up Kennon Road. Toughest sections were more than 19%. Finishing the climb on the bike is an accomplishment in itself. Racing through it is a totally different experience.

I left Manila after work on Friday afternoon with coach and Colin. Rey invited us for dinner in Dagupan City but missed it because of the traffic due to road works. Rey was nice enough to get our race kits in the race briefing and answer all my questions. We arrived at our hotel quite late and I was a little worried I might not be rested enough for tomorrow's brutal ride...


the beautiful roads going up Baguio (Kennon Road)
Day 1 started with really nice weather and greetings from familiar and friendly faces. I thought we will be released in batches from Dagupan city. I took a last-minute toilet break just before my release and when I got back out, there were no cyclist in sight except for Rey. Rey was nice enough to wait for me and ride with me to catch the peloton. It was a good thing the neutral zone was quite long and we were able to catch the group without much huffing and puffing! The roads were nicely paved and the weather seemed to be cooperating in the first 2 hours of the race. En route, there were a lot of guys offering water, pouring water on my head and cheering the cyclists on. It started to drizzle on the last quarter (distance-wise) of the race. The last 5 kilometers was miserable. Aside from cumulative fatigue, visibility was down to just 10 meters. I had to request my support vehicle to ride in front of me (with a good distance to avoid drafting, of course) just so I know the roads are safe. It was pretty scary and the roads started to become slippery... so much so that there were times that my wheels would slip even if I pedal. The last 2 kilometers of Marcos Highway was the killer. Aside from being the steepest section (around more than 19% in some parts), I was already very tired and my wheels still kept on slipping because of the rain. I had to go down my bike (100 meters from the finish) and get my bearings before riding my bike again as I was really getting scared that I could fall off due to slippery roads. I crossed the finish line with 3 escorts who cheered me on and just minutes before the torrential rain. I was happy. I was even happier knowing that everyone was safe and sound despite the weather conditions. =)


the peloton during Stage 1's neutral zone
Day 2 was a shorter road race and up Kennon road (which is more scenic and supposed to be an easier course than Marcos Highway). I wasn't very confident on the 2nd day as I felt my legs were heavier. However, I'm comforted by the fact that a team mate, Kaye Lopez, will be racing with me and that she can still bag the win for Team David's Salon for stage 2. Kaye was nice enough to make sure I'm ok during the neutral zone. She even went back when I dropped one of my water bottles. The moment Category B was released, it was chaos. It felt too fast and when I saw the cat A peloton just meters in front of us (they were released 3 minutes ahead of us), I knew we were going way too fast. I would blow up... and so I did. =( That really took a toll and when other cyclists were starting to ride past me, I knew that I was in trouble. I switched to survival mode and tried to take my riding a notch lower to find my rhythm again. The moment I rode past the famous Lion statue along Kennon road, I was climbing really slow. I was getting disappointed at myself because I know this is not how I usually climb. =( Eventually, I finished and crossed the finish line. I was having mixed emotions... I was happy and relieved but at the same time very tired and frustrated. I knew I could have trained more and better but I also know that I did ok and I should be satisfied. At the podium, I was proud to be standing side-by-side with my fellow women cyclists. They really did a great job and they are one of the reasons why I'm inspired to continue cycling. The glow on their faces says it all... it wasn't the win at all... the joy of just being able to cycle is a blessing in itself. =)


last 2km of the killer hill
I suffered just like the rest of the cyclists who joined. This is definitely not for the faint-hearted and I don't think I would be able to enjoy and learn from this experience without the help of the people who made this weekend possible. Since this is my first race for 2012, the goal was to familiarize myself with the adrenaline rush of racing, get some strength endurance training and increase my fitness level before my trip to Japan (wherein I will not be cycling for more than a week). I didn't realize I would gain so much more than these...


last few kilometers of Kennon Road
There are so many things to be grateful for. Special thanks to the organizers... they did a superb job about the route, the ambulances (that went back and forth to squirt water on the cyclists to keep their bodies cool and to make sure everyone is safe), the escorts (who not only stopped traffic to ensure the cyclists are safe, but also boosted my morale during the race) and the post-race lunch meals (which we all needed to recover faster). My heartfelt thanks to Rey Jimenez and the rest of the Dagupan boys (who have been very welcoming), Team David's Salon (the very team who believed in me especially when I was just starting), Coach Gado (who did a great job making sure I had the right support during the race), my fellow women cyclists (who have been a positive force in this tough race), Camp John Hay's The Manor (for accommodating my 5am breakfast request without extra charge) and Colin (my ever-supportive and understandable partner-in-crime).


feeling pretty beaten up at this point
It was a tough weekend but the positive energy was still overwhelming. I hope all road races would leave me this positive outlook right after even if I suffered quite a lot (mentally and physically). *wink* Sa uulitin?

More photos can be found HERE.

I was busy as a bee today. After a good 105-km bike ride around the island, we managed to sneak in a 45-minute nap before meeting up with David and Whee Kee for lunch. Instead of the usual lunch at Brewerkz, I suggested we try Relish at Cluny Court. I've heard people raving about the food and some even claim that it serves the best burgers in Singapore. It was a good thing I booked a table in advance as people were being asked to wait for 45-minutes for a free table. Gosh... that's how in-demand this place is. True enough, the crispy bacon burger and the 5-inch mushroom cheese beef burger were really good. I was so glad I biked that morning or else I would have felt so guilty finishing those off! =P


the Specials board at Relish
After a nice catch-up lunch session with the Bellettes, we headed off to Marina Bay Sands for some window shopping before heading to dinner and to our booked evening show. I've been in the mall several times in the past but mostly for dinner or a show. I finally had a whole afternoon to go around the mall and discover interesting shops (which I'll perhaps elaborate next time) and the amazing view from the roof deck. *turista-mode* Prior to dinner, we stopped by at Bazin to enjoy some al fresco pre-dinner drinks. As I'm really no drinker, I just enjoyed half a pint of Magner's while talking about plans for the next few months. Should be exciting! =)


Pizzeria Mozza's Prosciutto di Parma & Bufala mozzarella, the pizza (Burrata, slow roasted tomato & Sicilian oregano) and our Chicken Cacciatore
For dinner, we sticked to our very trusted restaurant, Mario Batali's Pizzeria Mozza. One could never go wrong with this place and the location is just perfect, just across the MBS theaters. =) We tried something different tonight. We had the prosciutto di parma & bufala mozzarella for appetizer. I was initially disappointed with the size of the mozzarella. I guess I've been spoiled by Pietrasanta and was expecting the same thing. But then again, the appetizer was half the price as that of Pietrasanta's so I shouldn't be complaining. =P For mains, we chose the Chicken Cacciatore, the specials for Saturdays, and the Burrata, slow roasted tomato and Sicilian oregano pizza. The mains were great and the flavors very distinct. The tomato sauce on both dishes were very impressive! This is what tomato sauce should be! =)


Wicked from the eyes of the cast
After our early dinner, we headed to the theater to watch Wicked. I was raving about this back in 2006 and even wrote a couple of blog entries about it. Although I don't think anybody can top Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth as Elphaba and Glinda, the Australian cast of Wicked in Singapore didn't disappoint. The production was spectacular, funny and I love the Defying Gravity number. =)

I got back to the apartment at Pasir Panjang just before 11pm humming in the tunes of tonight's play. I had a blast today! Thank you!!! =)

I've been brought up to have targets. I was in Grade 3 when I already know that I need to be in the top of my game in highschool (secondary school) so that I can get an Industrial Engineering degree in UP Diliman, work in a multinational company, take the GMAT and get an MBA degree in an Ivy League school in the US. All of these targets were pegged when I was in Grade 3... It's crazy but it helps to have a very hands-on father. Anyway, I got into the IE program in UP without really knowing what it's about. I worked in a multinational company after that and took the GMAT in August of 2005. I got a remarkable 700 score in my GMAT that could have landed me in any of the 5 business schools I applied for in the US - NYU's Stern, Northwestern's Kellogg, Columbia University, Cornell and Stanford. I was pretty confident I could easily swing it but after much reflection, I realize that this is not something that could make me really happy. This wasn't my path.


What is success really?
I asked myself if I really wanted an MBA for the learnings or perhaps because I just wanted to be branded as someone who got an Ivy League MBA degree. During this period, I met a lot of "Ivy League peeps" who are as impressive as my 5-year old running shoe. (J/K!) I was going through something emotional as well and wanted time to breathe and reflect on how I wanted to live my life. I don't want to be wasting more than half of my waking time working behind a desk. Life is just too precious to be spent like that...

Anyway, I started to set new targets for myself in 2007. I wanted to have an active lifestyle but at the same time be financially independent and responsible without being tied down with my current employer. I started setting targets on how much I should be earning at a certain age. Before reaching 30, I wanted to be earning at least 6-digits from my passive income (yup, it should be outside what I'm earning being a corporate slave), buy my first property (my one-bedroom unit at Serendra), buy my own SUV, travel in 5 continents, seriously learn a sport, focus on my advocacies and just be surrounded by people who matter to me. I've somehow managed to reach all that but I know I'm still a work in progress and I still haven't reached my full potential. But I'm not stressing over that anymore (unlike before).


enough said... (photo credit: lipstickandpolitics.com)
Through the years, I've learned to relax and see the bigger picture. Again, life is just too precious to be stressed so much. =P Now that I'm 31, I haven't pegged targets for the next 5 years. I call this current phase of my life as a "wait-and-see" moment. I'm trying to get my bearings and set new goals. While I still hold some of my current values dearly, I think it's time to add some more so that I can challenge myself more and thus, grow. =)

A few years ago, just before I graduated from college, I chanced upon Cheche Lazaro saying that "an empowered woman is someone who dreams and has the means to fulfill those dreams". I was really struck with that and I know how true it is especially in these times where women can assert themselves more and get respected for their work. I still hold that sentence close to my heart and whenever I encounter a stumbling block in any of my endeavors, I remind myself that I'm one of those empowered women...

Now, it's time to set those targets...

I don't think I'll ever get tired of riding in the Tagaytay area. I consider this place my playground and I love exploring it on my mean two-wheeled machine. For Saturday, I rode with Mayan and Colin. We just did our usual Tagaytay-Payapa route. What made yesterday's ride extra special was the very friendly locals.


rest stop after riding at Punta Fuego
There are 2 places I usually stop to refill my water bottle. The first one is a house along the lower Payapa road owned by an old Magsino couple. They have a mini sari-sari store, clean washrooms and a nice shaded place to recharge before climbing the road up to Tagaytay. Mr. Magsino was nice enough to give us fresh mangoes for free! On liesurely rides such like this, I also stop at the coffee place at the main entrance of Canyon Woods. They serve roasted hazelnut coffee which is unique and quite sweet. "Ate" (big sister) was nice enough to give us freshly-made buko tarts for free. We were so lucky today with great weather and these small gifts. Maraming maraming salamat po!


post-ride salu-salo at Il Gallo Nero
To top off a great Saturday, I biked with 9 cool people this morning. =) We had non-stop chit-chat and I love the positive vibes around. While most of us are still shocked with the climbs in Punta Fuego, we were all-smiles as we finish that climb up Tagaytay. It was almost everyone's first time to climb on that road and I'm glad they pushed themselves and found it quite exhilarating after. I can tell that they all enjoyed it over our post-ride lunch at Il Gallo Nero. Pipo, the owner of Alfonso Hotel and the said restaurant, was nice enough to join us as well and share his experience when he climbed Mt. Fuji years ago. Up to this point, I'm still amazed about how he lost 40 lbs in a year. It was determination and discipline through and through. =)

I'm really looking forward to more rides like these! =)

In my entire cycling life, I've only ridden at Sierra Madre four times. It's a pathetic number I know but I've always been daunted by the traffic and bad roads one have to go through just to bike in that area. It didn't help that my last ride at Sierra Madre was a bad experience with terrible traffic and heavy rains. But alas, Andy showed me a better place to start from and a safe parking area too. The downside is that I'll be missing 5 kilometers of good roads. But that's no problem if I weigh in the overall safety.


beautiful overcast weather at sierra madre
Today was also my first time to bike to the Sierra Madre hotel which was beautiful! It was nice to stop and enjoy a cup of coffee at the hotel's viewing deck. The roads are in excellent condition. The scenic countryside was worth the climb. And it seems that the locals are very much aware of cyclists who frequent the area. Today's ride definitely changed my mindset when it comes to riding at Sierra Madre. =)


at cottage gardens
It looks like I'll be doing more rides in this area in the next few weeks. =)

For this Saturday, we deviated from the usual Tagaytay-Payapa cycling route. As I need to train for hills, we did a Tagaytay-Punta Fuego ride climbing up that same road from Tagaytay to Nasugbu. While Payapa will always be my favorite with its scenic route, friendly locals and nicely-paved roads, today's climb was longer and more consistent. There were even a lot of buko stops along the way and there's nothing like fresh coconut juice to quench a thirsty cyclist. =) I have to admit I was really tired after the ride but I know I needed it and I plan to do the same thing next weekend. =)


memories of punta fuego hills (photo from a race in 2010)
After the ride, I had some pasta and pizza. These really hit the spot and I felt energized right after. Hahaha! But I really needed the boost as we had to rush back to Manila to catch the matinee show of Leading Ladies. I haven't seen a Repertory Philippines production for a very long time. As I was pretty beaten up from this morning's ride, I was glad we didn't have to watch something very serious. In fact, the play was hilarious from start to finish. It reminded me of the movies Mrs. Doubtfire and that 80s flick, Tootsie. =)


Repertory Philippines' Leading Ladies
Ever since I've known Col, he's been raving about People's Palace in Greenbelt. He said that's his staple restaurant whenever he had business trips in Manila. Back in the day when he was still with Deutsche Bank, he only knows of 4 places in the Philippines: the Makati Shangri-la, the DB office at the Fort, the Enterprise Building and People's Palace. To relive those times, we opted to have dinner at People's Palace since it's also near the theater venue. I had my usual chicken in pandan leaves and the Kao Soi Gai since I've been craving for some crispy noodles. Col had the fried squid and his favorite lamb curry. We have very different preferences when it comes to Asian food but we both agree on ordering the excellent sticky rice with mangoes for dessert! =)


at People's Palace, one of Col's favorite Asian restaurants
We had a very busy yet enjoyable day. And to make things even better, we got a free room upgrade in our hotel! How cool is that? =)

I just got back from Bistro Napa for my birthday celebration with my closest highschool friends. Crissy suggested to try out this new place and it didn't disappoint. It was cheap and cheerful. We all enjoyed the food. We were loud and chatty. Nothing unusual there. =)


the gang at Bistro Napa
I will never get tired of having dinners with these guys. Gosh... We've been friends for a very looooonnnnnnggggg time. I've known Ninin since I was in Grade 3... Crissy since Grade 5 and Carissa since highschool. We've each changed a lot (for the better I hope!) and I'm proud to have them as my closest friends. Thanks for being there tonight! =)

I just got back from a 4-day vacation at Bintan island in Indonesia and it was B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L. It was meant to be a surprise trip arranged by Colin. I guess he couldn't contain it anymore when he told me a few days ago where we're heading for the weekend. =P We arrived at Bintan on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. I was still pretty tired from this morning's bike ride in Singapore but upon seeing the familiar roads and famous lagoon, I got excited. I knew right then and there that the next few days in this beautiful island will be great!=)


bintang draft by the beach
Colin (who's more particular about accommodations than me) wanted us to stay at Bintan Lagoon Resort, the same resort we stayed at when we both raced in the Tour de Bintan last November. It has its own private beach overlooking the majestic South China sea, 12 very good restaurants, spacious rooms and great service. Too bad we're not serious golfers as the resort also houses one of the best golf courses in Asia. It was designed by legendary golfers Jack Nicklaus and Ian Baker-Finch. Just beside Bintan Lagoon Resort is Ria Bintan, the 2nd best golf course in Asia, following close to the #1 golf course in Asia located in Phuket. Golfers would definitely go ga-ga in Bintan... My dad would have had a field day here if he's still around. =)


our kaya putih suite
Being both cycling enthusiasts, we spent a good deal cycling around the island, following some of the roads from the race and most of the time just getting lost. We were blessed with good roads, friendly locals and overcast weather. It's truly a nice cycling destination and it could be quite challenging too with its numerous hills. After our rides, we enjoyed lounging by the beach and eating to our heart's content. It's very peaceful and I love how they keep a good balance of nature with modern amenities. =)


my 2nd plate of teppanyaki steak on my birthday dinner
The food in the resort are worth raving about. The breakfast buffet is typical to 5-star buffets and was perfect before we head off to our rides. We discovered The Mozaic Bar and Restuarant at the beachfront of the Pasir Panjang Beach. It was hip, modern and served really good food. We had 4 meals at this place during our stay. We kept coming back! For my birthday dinner, we decided to eat at the resort's Japanese restaurant, Miyako, that specializes in teppanyaki dishes. Colin and I EACH had a plate of salmon steak, a bowl of garlic rice, grilled veggies and 2 plates of steak! The teppanyaki chef was also highly entertaining. It was a feast that we both enjoyed. =)


a happy mela on a lunch stop during a ride
Objectives for the weekend were met. We wanted to celebrate both our birthdays that involved travel, the beach, good food, great cycling and most of all, just being together. I am grateful for finally meeting someone who understands and fully support me with all my crazy ideas. Thanks for a great birthday surprise!

More photos of our Bintan Birthday weekend HERE

I spent almost my entire Thursday at KC's flat. Prior to getting there, I passed by Wheel Lock Place to have my mac fixed. For some reason, the silica gel pack inside my laptop sleeve broke and made a big mess inside the sleeve. One of those "balls" entered the earphone outlet and I couldn't get it out. I tried using a hairpin, a needle and tweezers but to no avail. Upon arrival at Epicenter, the customer service attendant looked at my laptop and said the whole casing of the laptop has to be replaced. I asked him if he can perhaps disassemble the casing and just try to take it out manually. He said they don't do "tweaking". Ok fine. When I asked how much it would cost to replace the casing, he said it will cost 1,200 SGD MINIMUM. I was at a loss for words for what he just quoted. I might as well just buy a new mac book pro! I left Wheel Lock Place feeling dejected. I wasn't able to have the wretched "ball" removed and I just wasted my morning queuing up. Hay...


duck rice (photo credit: http://www.singapore-vacation-attractions.com/)
Anyway, it was a good thing I spent almost my entire day with KC. Not only was she great company but she managed to fix my laptop issue in less than a minute! I was amazed and I couldn't help but tell her that she just saved me 1,200 SGD! Hahaha! We also had a nice lunch in one of the hawker stalls near her apartment and I had duck rice. Oh! How I missed this dish! =P It was nice catching up with her in between paperwork and her conference calls. Since we were just beside each other the whole time, I couldn't help but overhear her meetings on customer escalations and the sort. I can see her getting stressed specially on conversations where no one seems to be accountable for the system breakdown (those nasty SAP dumps!). I was so glad I'm done with all those "stress-enhancers" (yup! that's what I call those escalations!) the moment I resigned from HP last August. =)


happy mela ready to eat this 1-kg of T-bone steak!
After a nice day with KC, I went over to one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Singapore, PIETRASANTA, along Portsdown Road to celebrate Colin's birthday. I've been exchanging emails with David Bellette to plan a surprise. Prior to yesterday evening, Col thought I'll be flying in to Singapore on Friday, February 17. But I actually bought a ticket for Feb 15 to surprise him. He was having dinner with 7 of his closest friends in Singapore and the plan was for me to simply show up. But my flight got delayed for 1.5 hours and when dinner was over, I haven't even landed yet! David was nice enough to accompany Colin to the airport so he can see for himself. It was still a nice surprise though and we're both glad we're together for his birthday. =)


chinese seafood!
I had a relatively liesurely Friday. I did some core workout on the gym and had a nice light lunch of pasta and salad. For dinner, we wanted something laid back and local. I was still raving about my duck rice. And so, we headed off to the nearest Chinese seafood in Pasir Panjang. We had crispy baby squid, calamari and black pepper beef. I was so full after the dinner but I had no regrets. I plan to ride my bike around the island tomorrow. Hopefully, all the calories will burn in no time! =)


simot!
I was actually hoping I'd cut down on my food in-take while in Singapore for a few days. But I ended up feasting in the past 2 days. =P Anyway, it was worth it and I'll make sure I do the miles on my bike soon. I can't wait for some cycling action tomorrow and in Bintan island... Let the pain begin! =)

In a plane to Singapore today, I watched a foreign film entitled, JODAEIYE NADER AZ SIMIN (The separation of Nader from Simin). The film is the official Iranian submission for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 2012 Academy Awards (the Oscars) where it was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Screenplay. It has already won Best Foreign Language Film in the 69th Golden Globe Awards. The movie is a compelling drama that started off with the legal separation of an Iranian couple. According to the L.A. Times, it is "totally foreign and achingly familiar". While the Iranian culture is very evident in the movie, the issues and hurt experienced by the characters are something anybody can relate with.


Watching this movie is quite timely. Just like any normal family, mine is also going through something painful. My uncle's family is going through some issues and a lot of words have been exchanged. My initial reaction was to side with my mom's brother, the relative closest to us. But upon further reflection, I know that everyone is just hurt and we sometimes can't help but be very emotional and release words that are just meant to hurt some more. In this case, I pray that they will find a solution for whatever issues they are going through... Malungkot talaga... As for me, I'll pray that they find peace. Nobody deserves all this heartache.

Naks! I rarely celebrate February 14 but since Valentine's is just around the corner, we might as well celebrate it this weekend, right? We decided to hit the south of Manila and just do our usual Tagaytay activities... cycling and good food! =)


al fresco dinner at Antonio's
Just like our usual Tagaytay staycations, this weekend wouldn't be complete without a dinner at Antonio's. This is the first time we've had dinner here since our last 5 meals here have always been for lunch. I was expecting the restaurant to be fully booked for a Saturday night before Valentine's but I was mistaken. There were only around 4 tables with people and it looked like we will be having a quiet evening tonight. Since we enjoyed the Angus Prime Ribeye Steak last month, we wanted to try out the grilled porter house steak. True enough, it was superb! Perfectly char-grilled in the outside and medium in the inside. It was a huge dish and we enjoyed it immensely! =)


Porter House Steak and my tomato risotto
To get a feel of Tagaytay, we had our first breakfast at Bag of Beans. I usually don't go to this place because it has always been very busy. It seems like we were meant to have breakfast here today as it wasn't busy at all and we even had an area to ourselves. I enjoyed my tapa breakfast while Colin enjoyed his platter of fresh fruits and pancakes. We took our time and had a relatively long breakfast. It was nice and cool and it reminded me of Cafe by the Ruins in Baguio. =)


somebody's having a hearty Bag of Beans breakfast
Before we go back to chaotic Manila, we passed by Joyette's and Mat's place in Sta. Rosa for some late lunch. They have such a cozy and nice home in a quiet area in Mamplasan where they can do their triathlon training right outside their doorstep. It was perfect for them and I love seeing one of my favorite couples in Philippine triathlon very happy. They have helped each other grow and I love them both! =)


a lovely afternoon with good friends!
While this weekend went by so fast, I'm glad I spent it with people who matter to me. There's nothing like a weekend of cycling, good food and time spent with people I care about. Advance Happy V-day everyone! =)

I just got home from CCP. I just saw Mamma Mia with Crissy, Carissa and AR and we all had a blast. =)


I hate going to places an hour's (or more) away from my house in the evenings but tonight was worth it. It was nice to catch a good production with people who could equally appreciate it as much as I do. =)

Just like my other bikes, it usually takes a while before they get fully built. As I've mentioned in my previous entry, I finally got the 2012 Specialized Amira S-works SL4 frameset a few weeks ago from Tour of Luzon Bike Cafe. They gave me a really good deal that I also couldn't resist. I hand-pick each and every component in my bikes and I make sure that each item would suit my riding style. I got my 2012 Ergopower Campagnolo 11-speed Super Record from Cristy's in Cartimar. I love the little red streaks on this groupset that matches the color of my new frame. I got the Rotor 3D Road Cranks from Trinity Cycleshop that can hopefully help me climb better. I got my Reynolds Assault wheelset from Colin. I love its hybrid quality which makes it perfect for both training and racing. I got the rest of my components (stem, handlbars, bar tape, saddle and pedals) from Specialized Tay Junction. It was even Mr. Tay himself who chose each component that he feels would best match my Amira frame. =)


my new bike =)
Fellow cyclists who have seen my bike were able to appreciate it. Non-cyclists would usually ask me how much the bike would cost if I sell it. Hahaha! I find it very amusing really. While I know I might have been able to probably purchase a dozen Louis Vuitton Speedy bags with the money I just spent, I have no regrets. This is far more worth it in my book! =)

I don't get to surf or lounge around the beach as much as I want to especially last year. I found the perfect opportunity to do so this long weekend. After the 200km Audax ride last Saturday, I spent 3 days and 2 nights at Kahuna Beach Resort and Spa in San Juan, La Union. I wanted the beach vibe and I wanted a place where I can just bum around and surf if I wanted to. =)


i got him to surf!
I love my stay here. I managed to surf to my heart's desire... or should I say until I was so tired I couldn't even feel my arms anymore! It was the perfect surfing weather. I haven't surfed for more than a year already (or maybe 2?) and I was afraid I'll have to start from scratch again. Thanks to muscle memory, I managed to catch a lot of good waves even if they're not that big. I was just in my happy place. I was afraid that since I stopped my swim training (ever since I've decided to stop doing triathlons and just focus on cycling), I wouldn't have the stamina to paddle as much as before. Surprisingly, I felt really good paddling on the board. Whew!


happy just to be surrounded by the waters again!
To make things more fun, I got Colin to try it out too! I was so proud to see him get up the board on his first try and I was even happier to see him enjoy the ride! =) I also learned that the trisuit is the best thing to wear for surfing! I didn't care if I didn't have the "surfer chick" vibe but it was definitely more convenient and more practical. I was getting weird looks from other people but I didn't care. I was having fun. =)


stoked after a tiring morning!
What I love about this area in La Union is that I was just approximately 10km away from Thunderbird Resort. I've stayed here a couple of times before and I love the open space and the greek-themed resort. We managed to enjoy a sumptuous steak dinner and a delicious grilled lamb lunch in their Olives Restaurant. It was bliss! Hehehe!

I can't believe how quickly this long weekend has passed. I'm definitely looking forward to more of these! =)

When I started talking about long-distance cycling (distances of 200km and up) with a couple of executive cyclists in the Philippines, I normally get a common response that it's too long and it's unnecessary. I couldn't blame them. If one focuses on the common distances of races in the country, these distances are quite far-out. But for those who just wants the extra challenge, this is perfect and I've come to love every single bit about it. I started organizing these events for the sheer love of the sport regardless if there's anybody crazy enough to join me. Fortunately, David Charlton and David's Salon Institute supported me in this endeavor and gave me a free hand. (Super thank you David!)


it was a great day for cycling!
The past audax rides that I've been organizing since 2009 have been very low-key. I always emphasize that it's a non-profit activity and it is done for the sole love for the distance and the sport. Only a few would join me in these rides. I would be very lucky if there were around 30 people present. There were times that there were only less than 10 people doing the distance. Regardless of the number, Audax Philippines has remained to be an audacious ride... full of positive energy and new learnings about one's self. =)


the support provided by the Zambales province... salamat po!
I was pleasantly surprised to have received interest from people about today's ride. A week prior to today, I've been receiving email inquiries and faxed registration forms. 3 days prior to the event, my headcount was at 60. While I was very happy about the positive response, I suddenly got worried. With our significant number, I was afraid that the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority would require me to go through some paperwork for permits, fees, etc. And with just a few days before the ride, I know I wouldn't be able to work on that since I've been very busy at work as well. The gods must be on our side as I have Ralph to help me out! With his uncle, Mr. Manny Enriquez, being the head of security for SBMA, I was told that he'll advise the base and would allow us safe passage. Besides, it's a non-profit event in the first place and I won't be setting up anything that could disrupt traffic or do anything of the sort. Whew! =)


unparalleled support from david's salon!
To make things even better, Kenneth Romero had more positive news. He was able to coordinate with Coach Melvin Fausto (coach for the national triathlon team) of Bikestop (a bike shop located in SBMA) to provide a mechanic for bike checks on the night prior to the Audax ride. Kenneth also coordinated with Major Pojie Peñones, a triathlete and Governor Ebdane's executive assistant, for the local government's support for the event. They provided ambulances at each of the control points, cold water and gatorade good for 100 people, fresh mangoes and bananas and welcome banners that lifted my spirit as I saw each of them. Honestly, the province itself has very beautiful roads already and I have always been happy riding here. But this support from the government was really overwhelming and I truly appreciate it with all my heart. Maraming maraming salamat po!


welcome banners!
We had the biggest group of long distance cyclists for the first Audax ride this year. 79 cyclists showed up at the starting point at Mango Valley Hotel in Subic. We took off at exactly 6am. We were blessed with great weather and beautiful scenic roads. Everyone I talked to were very positive and had this fighting spirit to finish the distance strong. Today was a moment of firsts for a lot of the participants. I think more than 75% of the cyclists today haven't done a 200km ride before. =)


thumbie at the finish!
One of the most important things that I've come to appreciate about Audax is the friendships forged. It was nice seeing old friends and establish new ones too. I am one with everyone's hardship throughout the ride and one with the accomplishment felt upon finishing. Today's audax ride also broke the previous record of biking 200km. The fastest record in 2011 was pegged at 8 hours and 45 minutes. 26 people broke that record this morning and the fastest guys finished the 210km ride in 8 hours and 9 minutes. One of them was even a cancer survivor! =)


the guys behind the zambales support - major pojie peñones and kenneth romero
We definitely made history today. While this is not really a race, I know that everyone who finished would agree that accomplishing the distance was truly priceless. And just like what I posted in the Audax Philippines facebook page, YOU NEED NO RACE TO BE A WINNER! =)


unparalleled support from david's salon!
I am thankful for everyone who participated this morning... Dagupan Cycling Club (led by Mr. Rey Jimenez), Rock Solid Cycling, Fitness First, Team David's Salon, San Antonio Cycling Club, Team Xycos, Yellow Cab Cycling Team, Heritage Park Cycling Team (led by Mr. Jun Lopez), Bike King, Zamba Tri Team, Zamba Cycling Team, David's Salon Club, Team Solomon, LPGMA, SN Aboitiz, Team CLEAR, 7-11 Cycling Team, the guys from Lipa (led by Mr. bamboo bike himself, Eric Cadiz), our brave privateers and some of my good friends in the sports community. Each and everyone of you contributed to this great experience. Thank you to the people behind the scenes and who have been very supportive to make this a successful event - Mr. David Charlton, David's Salon, Ms. Jola Gonzales, the crew of DSI, Mr. Manny Enriquez of SBMA, the local government of Zambales, Kenneth Romero and Major Peñones of the Zamba Tri Team, Coach Melvin Fausto of Bikestop and Audax Club Parisien. From the bottom of my heart, maraming maraming salamat po! This is a great way of starting 2012!


the david's salon club... all-smiles at the finish!
Results can be found HERE. More photos can be found HERE.

I did a 90km bike ride around Singapore yesterday morning and caught up with the Rev Sin boys at a newly-discovered coffee shop named Loysel's Toy at Kampong Bugis. It is the brainchild of Papa Palheta, an independent coffee boutique that specializes in premium gourmet coffee. Food bloggers and coffee connoisseurs have been raving about the coffee. Most say they have the best coffee in Singapore. In fact, their very own Barista, Ryan Tan, has won the 2011 Singapore National Barista Championship beating Oriole Cafe & Bar twice. Anyway, I'm no coffee expert but the moment I stepped into the place, I felt right at home. The aroma of freshly-brewed coffee and freshly-baked bread surrounded us. The interiors were warm and relaxing. The staff was very efficient and quite friendly. It was bliss. There's nothing like ending a good bike ride with a nice cup of coffee and a yummy chocolate croissant! =)


Loysel's Toy (photo credit: http://www.ladyironchef.com)
After the ride, we had to rush to Brewerkz to have lunch with Eugene, Christian, KC and the Bellettes. I don't normally mix friends but I know that my HP friends will mix well with David and Whee Kee. True enough, we were talking non-stop for almost 2 hours! =) Right after my afternoon nap, I rushed to Vivo City to catch the Hollywood version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo which will show in the PH in 3 weeks. I have been telling my friends that the Stieg Larson trilogy books are the best books I've read last year. I even watched the 3 original Swedish movies and I was at the edge of my seat most of the time. Much to my delight, I loved this version. I really can't say which one is better but today's movie was really good. If one hasn't read the book, watching the film would still give you a good gist of the story. But just like what I've been telling my friends, they should still read the book because it's the best mystery-crime novel I've read in my life. =)


official trailer of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
After the movie, I had dinner at Shin Kushiya, a Japanese restaurant famous for its charcoal grilled dishes. Aside from the scenic waterfront and Sentosa island views, the food was really good. The restaurant imports its ingredients daily from Tsukiji (Tokyo) and Hakodate (Hokkaido). I made it a point to order just grilled dishes, which is their specialty. What makes it extra special is that food is grilled using Bincho charcoal, white charcoal that heats food at 1200 Celsius keeping the exterior of the food crisp but locks the moisture and flavors inside. The service was fast and the food tasted really good. I will definitely go back for their Kushiyaki. =)


Shin Kushiya's grilled dishes
For today, I had a really good Sunday morning ride with 10 of the Rev Sin guys, Christina Liew, Sharyn Porter, Natasha and some friends. Since the boys just got back from the holidays, they were pretty well-behaved and kept a speed of around 35-37kph for the first 90 kilometers. We were around 18 people in our group and everyone rode very well. I don't think I've done a long ride with such a mature group here in the Philippines. But then again, the boys just got back from vacation and they are just starting with their training for the 2012 season. Past the 90km mark, Christina and I looked at each other, nodded and was thinking of the same thing... we were feeling the acceleration in the group and that they will be revving it up for the last 5km. We braced ourselves for the inevitable. True enough, the sprinters were sprinting and most of the boys zoomed. I couldn't keep up with them when they start going past 49kph! It was crazy but Christina and I loved it! Hahaha! It was a really fun ride despite my huffing and puffing! =)


my new wheels! =)
In the afternoon, I got my birthday gift from Colin, a pair of Reynolds Assault wheels for my Amira frame. The wheels were very pretty! My birthday is more than a month away but I think he's more excited than me in building my new bike. =P I have each part of my new bike hand-picked... from the frame, the water bottle cages, the groupset, the stem, the crank, the handlebars, the pedals, the saddle, etc. I'll write about it once I have the bike built. I'm pretty excited about that! =)


a busy Simply Bread on a Sunday afternoon
Before I fly back to Manila, I had an afternoon walk along Bukit Timah. We enjoyed our afternoon snack of steak sandwiches at Simply Bread. I've had a lot of cheap and cheerful meals here before and I just realized how similar the look and feel of the place to Loysel's Toy. =) Sigh... Another nice weekend spent!

It was a beautiful Saturday morning in the city and just like my usual weekends in the Philippines, I wouldn't let this pass me by without any cycling. To make today's long ride extra special, it was Mayan's 1st long ride as well and we brought her with us to do the Tagaytay-Payapa ride. =)


the happy camper
My closest friends in cycling know this - Payapa is my favorite road going up Tagaytay on my bike. Aside from the breath-taking views along the way and the many races I've done in this area, Payapa is my humbling block. I'm always reminded of the very 1st time I rode up this road. 500m from the bottom, I rode the support vehicle and couldn't cycle anymore. I was a wreck. But that experience didn't daunt me from taking up the sport. It ignited a fire in me and challenged me to do better next time.


with myk and mayan after the ride
Mayan seems to have enjoyed the ride. She was all-smiles up to the finish. I hope this has sparked a huge interest for the sport. I can actually sense her drive to excel. I believe she has a big potential in cycling and I hope to encourage and inspire her all the way. =)

So many things happened in the past week. I managed to squeeze in time with the family, some cycling, a board meeting, a beach vacation and time to just be. I also wanted Colin to experience a Filipino Christmas and New Year celebration but still with lots of time for the activities we both very well love - cycling, eating and relaxing. =)


Col's xmas gift - my new Cycle Ops Power Jet Fluid Pro =)
On Christmas day, we met my clan (yes, clan!) consisting of my mom's siblings and their families for lunch at home. It was nice catching up with family and my cousins. We had the usual games done in the garden and the exchanging of gifts. It was loud, fun and happy in the Seriña household. =) After lunch, I spent most of my afternoon in Rockwell to leisurely check out some after-christmas sales. To set the tone for Christmas, I had an intimate dinner at Aubergine. This is the nth time I've been here and I always rave about how excellent the over-all dining experience is. There's nothing like having dinner at my favorite restaurant in town to cap off Christmas day. =)


Colin with 3 generations of my family on Christmas day
After a lazy morning on the 26th, we went out to check some condominiums for investment. I already bought a 1-bedroom unit in Serendra back in July 2008 but I'm still open to buying more properties that I can eventually rent out or sell for a good price. Colin is interested to invest too. We checked out the new West and East Tower at One Serendra and was quite disappointed. The finish isn't as polished and there were cracks on the walls of the parking lot on their latest building. We've decided to check out built units at Essensa, Rockwell, One Shang and Shang Grand Towers next time. Let's see how that will go. =) After the condo-window shopping, we headed off to David Charlton's place for boxing day dinner. It was a nice gathering of his closest friends. Much to Colin's delight, our host prepared a very british feast of roast pork, roast turkey, yorkshire pudding, etc. Colin felt right at home! Hahaha!


overlooking Taal Lake
I managed to spend almost 4 days and 3 nights in Tagaytay for some R&R. It was nice and cool in Tagaytay at this time of the year. We had a gastronomic experience when we had lunch at Antonio's, dinner at Cafe Verbena, shabu-shabu dinner at Wingate, dinner at The Boutique and many more! Of course, a Tagaytay staycation won't be complete without some cycling. I can't believe we did a 90km ride after our lunch at Antonio's! Who does that really? I was feeling pretty sleepy after that heavy lunch and I wanted to nap. Colin was insisting we needed to ride and I'm glad we did because I really felt good after. =)


lunch at Antonio's
On the 29th, I had to rush back to Manila for a board meeting and then rush back to the south to enjoy the beach. I've been meaning to stay at Aquatico but since this vacation was hurriedly-planned, we were left with no available rooms. =( Thank goodness for the ever-reliable La Luz resort in San Juan, Batangas. This has always been the cheap and cheerful choice. We spent 3 days and 2 nights just lounging around, stuffing ourselves with Pinoy food, reading our books and sleeping to our heart's content. This was perfect to relax ourselves before heading back to Manila.


relaxing by the beach
On the 31st, we spent the afternoon with my family. We left just before dinner time for our hotel reservations at Edsa Shangri-la. We booked a quiet nook in Paparazzi for our Italian dinner feast with live music from romantic theater musicals. It was really nice. =)


December 31 pre-dinner catch-up with the family
The past week has been a relaxing vacation, a celebration of a great 2011. I have been very blessed this year and I am truly grateful. I've experienced so many new things and learned a lot about myself. I had my fair share of travels and upped the ante of my cycling (i think). I surrounded myself with people who have been very healthy to my soul. For 2012, I'm looking forward to more adventures and more learnings. I will continue to be a student of life... living and loving each moment of it. Happy 2012 Everyone! =)


last dinner before 2012

I joined Myk, Popo, Jobert and Thumbie in our christmas Tagaytay-Payapa ride this morning. Nina was present too and decided to do her long run instead. It was a morning of fun bonding as Thumbie is in his element being his usual funny self. =)


xmas ride with me, myk, popo, jobert, thumbie and nina
After the "fun" ride, we hit Mahogany market for lunch. It was my first time to go to this market and enjoy a feast of bulalo, liempo and tawilis. I've been riding in Tagaytay for the past few years and I can't believe I haven't tried out eating here before. I love how fast the food was served and how cheap it was! We also got a chance to buy freshly-picked pineapples. My car was really full with bikes, our fitness gear and Nina's 25 pineapples! Hahaha!


pineapples galore at mahogany market
This is how I want to spend my Dec 24 morning... cycling with friends! Merry Christmas! =)

I've been waiting for the 2012 Specialized Amira S-Works SL4 to arrive here in the Philippines. Back in October, I saw the first batch of this bike for Asia in Specialized Tay Junction and I was so tempted to buy it right then and there. Mr. Tay has always been accommodating and he has this newly set-up Amira S-works with Shimano Di2 groupset and the Zipp 404 Firecrest. It was a very pretty bike with a not-so-nice price tag of 10,000 SGD. Since then, I've been bugging Leroy Enriquez (of The Brick Multisport Store), Joey Ramirez (of Dan's Bike Shop) and Edgar Garcia (of Tour of Luzon Bike Shop) almost every week asking for updates when this bike will arrive in the Philippines.


Specialized Lululemon
Finally, I got a call from Edgar that they have the frame and offered it at a very good price. I checked it out this morning and I was very pleased. It was everything I wanted in a road bike... light, aggressive, reactive, the right power transfer, stiffness and built for a woman! Hahahah! I had coach check it out too for a more professional opinion and he said that buying it would help me level up my cycling. Hahaha! Totoo kaya 'yun?


wallstreet corporate girl/cyclist Evie Stevens
I need not be convinced to buy this bike in the first place. Based on research and reviews, it suits me very well! One of the reasons why I also chose this bike is because this is the official road bike sponsor of the most successful women's cycling team in the world, Specialized Lululemon (formerly known as Team HTC-Highroad). As I grew up loving this sport, I've come across Evelyn Stevens, who has become my idol! She is a Wallstreet professional in New York and is one bad-ass woman cyclist! I can't help but be at awe when I first came across this woman in a Bicycling magazine issue entitled HAPPILY EVIE AFTER.

She's my inspiration as I try to pursue a career on finance and be a better cyclist. Hopefully, this new bike will keep me going! =)

It is with a sad heart that I flew to Cagayan De Oro (cdo) yesterday. CDO has been ravaged by typhoon Sendong and more than 1000 is predicted dead. A lot of people are now homeless. All of my relatives have been spared and I can't help but be thankful for their safety. Despite the tragedy, I can't help but be proud of how resilient the Filipino people are. The moment I stepped out of the plane, I saw big army planes with loads of relief goods to be distributed. I've been in touch with some good friends who plan to donate portalets, drinkable water, etc. The Jesuit community in Xavier University has been very active in the support. My relatives who are in the medical field has been toiling non-stop helping out in the hospitals and medical centers. They say the tragedy brought by Sendong is worse than Ondoy. Regardless of that fact, let us continue to pray for CDO and help through the countless mobilized donor systems...

Anyway, one of the main agenda for my trip is the meet-up with the farmers from Bayugan, Agusan del Sur. I didn't know my father left us around 7 hectares of land in Agusan del Sur. It was a property eyed by the Department of Agrarian Reform for the benefit of the farmers in that region. There has been discussion before with my uncle (my dad's only brother and sibling) but it didn't move forward especially after Ninong's death a few years ago. Much to the relief of the farmers, we were very easy and decided that what have been discussed with my uncle will push through. In memory of my uncle and my father, my mom and I signed the documents that would eventually help DAR to facilitate the transfer of land titles to these farmers.

I met the 4 farmers from Bayugan this morning. They travelled for more than 10 hours just to be in CDO and haven't slept yet. They said that this was a very small sacrifice if in the end they will finally have their own farm land. I was happy for them. I was happy for my family. I'm sure this is what my father and my uncle would have wanted...