Voyage of the Balangay Tuesday, Jun 30 2009

In 1947, Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl sailed aboard Kon-Tiki, a raft made from balsa wood, for 4,300 miles from South America across the Pacific Ocean to the Polynesian Islands to prove that pre-Columbian people from South America could have crossed the Pacific aboard wooden rafts and settled in Polynesia.     For 101 days he sailed and made successful landfall in Tuamotu Islands in French Polynesia.

In 1970, Thor Heyerdahl once again made a daring voyage.  He theorized that it is possible for ancient people from North Africa to travel across the Atlantic to the American continent by using boats made from papyrus reeds.   Aboard the vessel Ra II, Thor Heyerdahl  set sail from Morocco, crossed the Atlantic and reached Barbados in the Carribean sea.

In 1976, a relic of an old wooden boat was discovered in Butuan, this is was carbon dated to be 1,600 years old.   This is boat is the Balangay, the boats used by the ancestors of the Filipinos in crossing the distant islands of the South Pacific.  This discovery was hailed to be the South East Asian equivalent of viking boats discoveries in Northern Europe.

One June 27, 2009 a wooden boat replica of the balangay set sail and embarked on an ambitious 4-year voyage that will take its brave crew of Filipino adventurers around South East Asia, to Micronesia, to Madagascar and Africa.   The core crew is lead by Art Valdez and the Philippine Mt. Everest Team including Nestor Emata and Leo Oracion.   They will be supported by members of the Coast Guard and skilled Badjao boatsmen.   The voyage will be done without the aid of modern GPS systems and will rely on the navigational methods of ancient Badjao sailors that are passed on from generation to generation.   This is to prove that the our ancestors are skilled sea fearers long before Ferdinand Magellan dropped anchor on Philippine shores.

It is a shame that my family and I missed the releasing of the Balangay onto the waters of the Manila bay.  I am sure that those who witnessed that event felt proud that they are Filipinos.  When my family and I visited the Balangay when it is still being constructed, I wrote in the log book that “First, its the Kon Tiki, then its the RaII.  Now its time for the Balangay and its time to show the world that ancient Filipinos are capable of crossing oceans on ancient boats.”  Goodluck to the Balangay, may you have a safe voyage.

The balangay, christined “Ngandahig” (some sources say the boat’s name is Diwata ng Lahi, I prefer this as this is more poetic) receiving finishing touches from skilled Badjao craftsmen.

RP with her friends from MAP-Ultra, Bentong, Sarah and Irish.  RP is carrying a kitten she found abandoned in Rizal Park and we christined him Balangay.

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Olympic Fun Run Monday, Jun 29 2009

The Philippine Olympic Committee with the support of Milo organized the Olympic Fun Run on June 21 at the Quirino Grand Stand in Manila.   This event was participated by the various National Sports Associations (NSA) who are members of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

The highlight of the program is the 10k run and the 3k Fun Run and was joined by the Philippine Team of various sports, Manila’s Finest-members of the Western Police District and employees of various Government offices.  The Philippine Muay Thai team took part in this event and run in the 3K distance.

Of course, the obligatory fighting pose by the RP muay thai team.

This is the first time RP joined a race and was proud and happy to do it together with her friends.

At front wearing bib number 1423 is the indefatigable Vice President of Muay Association of the Philippines Andy Galvez and one of the pillars of Philippine sports, MAP President Red Dumuk (wearing big number 1411)

The Philippine Tae Kwondo Demonstration Team wowed the audience with their high flying, board breaking kicks.  (Tae Kwon Do used to be my favorite sport)

The Philippine Wushu team displayed their medal winning forms.

The Philippine Karate Team made a kata and bunkai demonstration.

The MAP contingent posing under the Finish Line.    Everybody’s posing at the camera…except for Jasper and Ajarn Pudpadnoy.    What caught their attention?  What are they looking at?…..

…Now I got the answer.  The National Champion of cheerdancing, the University of Perpetual Help cheer squad also performed, much to the delight of the crowd…especially Ajarn.  He he he

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60th Anniversary RP-Thai Diplomatic Relations Thursday, Jun 25 2009

On the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the friendly relations between Philippines and Thailand no less than the Minister of Culture of Thailand the Hon.  Teera Slukpetch graced the said event.   Fittingly, Bangkok’s sister City, The City of Manila and its Mayor Alfredo Lim spearheaded the celebration.

Two beauties from the land of smile.

These cultural performers  were flown all the way from Chiang Mai, Thailand just for this occassion.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim giving a gift to Thai Minister of Culture Teera Slukpetch.  Thai Ambassador to the Philippines Kulkumut Singhara Na Ayudhaya looks at the exchanging of gifts ceremony.

Perhaps the most applauded part of the program is the performance of the traditional Thai puppet play Hun Lakhon Lek.   In this intricate art form, each puppet are controlled by three puppeteers all of whom are classically trained dancers and would move in unison with all of the movements being performed by the puppet.    I think in Bangkok, the only place where one can see a live performance of traditional Thai puppet play is in Joe Louis Restaurant in Suan Lum Night Bazaar (which is a sad reminder that this is a dying art form in Thailand).    Filipinos who were able to watched this during the celebration should consider themselves lucky.

Here, the puppeeters are controlling a puppet of the playful Hindu monkey God Hanuman.

The other puppet is that of Sita, of the Hindu epic Ramayana.  These puppets shows the influence of Indian art, culture and religion on Thailand.

The puppets “paying” their respects to Mayor Lim and to Minister Slukpetch

The Thai dance troupe making their curtain call

Performers from the reknown Sining Lahi Cultural Dance Troupe from Rajah Lakandula High School performed several Filipino folk dances.

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Battle of the Best In Luneta-2nd Batch of Photos Monday, Jun 22 2009

Below are the 2nd Batch of Photos in the recently concluded Battle of the Best in Luneta

The dressing room area where the fighters are having a light moment clowning in front of the cam.

The tent at the Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz in Rizal Park is jam full of spectators waiting for a good show of muay thai skills.

In the middle is the Minister of Culture of Thailand, Hon. Teera Slukpetch and on his right is the Ambassador of Thailand to the Philippines, Hon. Kulkumut Singhara Na Ayudhya.

Adversaries in the ring, but outside the battle arena, the RP team are close friends.    Here, Zaidi Laruan and Jay Harold Gregorio recuperating in the medic area after their fight, while Jonathan Polosan and Toby Reyes are goofing off on the cam.

The judges and jury of the event.

PTT President Khun Siripong Phoungphaka, the ever generous supporter of Muay Association of the Philippines.    Here, he’s giving away the cash prizes of the winners of the tournament.    MAP is very thankful for all of the support Khun Phoungphaka and and his company, PTT, has given.

The RP team all requested me to post their photos with Krista Valle, a TV celebrity and niece of MAP Chairman, Robin Padilla.

Jay Malubay and Krista Valle

Jay Harold Gregorio with Krista Valle

Jay Harold Gregorio, Ronnie Catampatan and Zaidi Laruan with Krista Valle

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Battle of the Best in Luneta-1st Batch of Photos Tuesday, Jun 16 2009

In the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Thai-Philippines Diplomatic Relations, the Royal Embassy of Thailand, PTT and the Muay Association of the Philippines (MAP) organized The Battle of the Best in Luneta on June 14, 2009 at the Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz, Rizal Park, Manila.

There were 10 bouts participated by the best nak muays in the country.  The crowd, including Thai Ambassador to the Philippines Kulkumut Singhara Na Ayudhaya and the Thai Minister of Culture Teera Slukpetch, were all pleased with the display of prowess by Filipino Athletes of this ancient but highly popular martial art from the Kingdom of Thailand.

2008 Philippine Olympic Festival Medalist Fernando Venus of MAP-Antipolo scored a stunning 2nd round knock out over veteran internationalist Clint Anawe of RP Muay Thai team when the former landed a vicous left roundhouse kick that landed on Clint’s liver area.

Romnick Pabalate, the 2008 Gold Medalist in Asian Muay Thai championship once again prevailed over this rematch against the 2008 World Amateur Muay Thai champion, Roland Claro.

Jay Malubay, one of the rising nak muays in the roster of RP Team won over Arjohn Balmes, 2008 Philippine Olympic Festival Medalist, from MAP-Paranaque

The 2007 SEA Games Silver Medalist Maricel Subang triumphed over her opponent from MAP-Dumaguete, Krisna Limbaga

Alvin Velasco of MAP-Baguio and POF medalist thwarted Ronnie Catampatan, RP Team from exacting revenge for the latter’s loss in their match last April.  The Golden Boylet of Baguio triumphed over the Terminator from Pasig.

2007 and 2008 Philippine Olympic Festival Champion and RP Team Ryan Jakiri prevailed over his opponent, fellow RP Team member Benedict Alumno

One of the most exciting fight of the tournament.  Zaidi Laruan, 2005 and 2007 SEA Games medalist overcame the 4-inch height advantage of Jay Harold Gregorio, Silver Medalist in the 2008 World Amateur Muay Thai championship, to get the nod of the judges and seal the victory.

May Libao, a silver medalist in the 2007 SEA Games easily won her match against Jennylyn Sevillano in the 2nd round, via Outclass.

The rematch between two international medalists, Eugene Toquero and Tyrone Naticho is perhaps the closest match of the afternoon.   But Eugene Toquero won enough points to fashion out a close victory over his opponent.

2007 SEA Games silver medalist Anna Marie Rey won over her opponent, Precious Ocaya by retirement when the corner of the latter literally threw in the towel as Ms. Ocaya could not continue the match.

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Battle of the Best-June 14, 2009 Wednesday, Jun 10 2009

On the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Philippine-Thailand Diplomatic Relations, the Royal Embassy of Thailand brings you:

Battle of the Best-Muay Association of the Philippines

This event will feature matches between the RP Muay Thai team plus the gold medalists of the Philippine Olympic Festival.

This will be on June 14, 2009, 11:00a.m. Rizal Park (just across the Rizal Monument), Manila.

One of the anticipated fight is the rematch between Roland Claro (2 time World Amateur muay thai champ) and Romnick Pabalate (Asian Muay Thai Championship, Gold Medalist).

This event is open to the public.

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Mizuno Infinity Run 2009 Wednesday, Jun 10 2009

“We are different, in essence, from other men.  If you want to win something, run 100 meters.  If you want to experience something, run a marathon”- Emil Zatopek,  Gold Medalist-Marathon, 1952 Olympics-Helsinki

One item in my “Bucket List or Things Do Before I Die” is to finish the Maratona Della Citta di Roma wearing a Philippine flag designed shirt by March of 2012 (depending on my finances).  And to work towards that goal, I decided to do my first race, the Mizuno Infinity Run 2009 which was held last Sunday, June 7, at the Bonifacio High Street in Global City, Taguig.    There are 3 race distances: 5k, 10k and 15k run.

Since I’ve been running 3 to 4km as a warm up for my muay thai training and I figured that 5k might be easy, but since it will be my first road race, 15k might be too much and settled for 10k.    Beck also joined the Infinity Run and signed up for the 5k race.

Perhaps the organizers of the Infinity Run have offered several dozens of eggs to the nuns of Monasterio De Sta. Clara for the weather cooperated and the rain clouds that hovered around Metro Manila for 3 days before Sunday have disappeared.

The 15k run started at 5:30a.m., the 10k at 6a.m. and the 5k at 6:30a.m.  For the 10k race, the route is from Bonifacio High Street-11th Ave (the street between Serendra and Bonifacio High Street)-McKinley Parkway then right turn to Lawton Ave, then left turn to 32nd Street up to the Kalayaan Flyover, down to Gil Puyat Ave all the way to Nicanor Garcia St.    The u-turn for the 10k race is at Nicanor Garcia and runners would take the same route back to Bonifacio High Street.

My target time is to run 10k under 1 hour.   I paced myself during the first 5km, as I have not yet done any run longer than this I still don’t know how fast I can go without my lungs giving up.   I reached the 5km u-turn in in about 25 minutes and felt a big boost since I am on track in meeting my target time.   However, on the way up to the Kalayaan flyover, I experienced stinging sensations on both my feet.  Dreaded blisters have formed and every step I make is painful.   This really slowed down my pace and felt really frustrated to see some runners pass me by.   At the last 2km mark, I want to increase my speed but I am concerned that it might exacerbate the blisters.

I remove my stops and concerns for my feet when I reached the last 1km,  to hell with the blisters, anyway, the finish line is just a few minutes away.     My official time is 1 hr and 5 minutes, a full 5 minute short of my target.  Not bad for first time runner going for the 10k, but still, I failed to reached my goal.

After the race, Beck and I still on runner’s high and signed up for the GIG (Green is Good) Run this June 28 at UP-Diliman.  This time, I’ll ensure that I’ll be wearing Darlington Socks (yeah, yeah, I’m a Manny Pacquiao fan, but is there any Pinoy who’s not a fan of his?).

The last 300 meters of the run

My official time is 1hr and 5 min.  I missed my target by a full 5 minutes.  Better luck next race.

After the run, friends and runners shared laughter and run as they experience the euphoric feeling of “runners’ high”.

It was also a good day to bond with your family.  While Beck and I are in the race, RP also ran around Bonifacio High Street with our German Shepherd “Anubis”.    It was RP’s choice to name our youngest family member after the Egyptian God of the Underworld, reflecting her interest with Egyptian mythology and archeology.

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Meeting an Online Friend Friday, Jun 5 2009

This trip happened almost two months ago and only now that I will be able to make a post about this  (which only goes to show how messed up my calendar is lately, which in turn, leads to my firm belief that life is too short to have a full time job).  But I sincerely think that I should write about  the memorable visit my family made to a friend I first met via the internet.

It started last year with a certain Rayzor Matthews who kept on posting comments in this humble blog.  First, I was impressed by his English writing skills, then I was awed by his diverse range of knowledge.  The comments he made led to several exchange of ideas which also led me and Rayzor to discover that we have lot of things in common.    Last December my family planned to have a Luzon road trip which includes visiting Ray and his wards in San Fernando La Union, taking advantage of the long Christmas break (Our original idea is to spend Christmas with the children in their orphanage).  It was, however, postponed due to Beck’s winning in the Mrs. Philippines pageant and with my work load (one of the hazards of working for a US company is that although there’s a holiday in the Philippines, on the other side of the globe, business continues).

Last Holy Week, part of our itinerary is to pass by San Fernando, La Union (on our way to Vigan) and to finally meet Ray and his nak muays and pay a visit to their children’s home.

Ray’s father , Pastor Abraham Duclayan is the Senior Pastor of Christian Praise Fellowship Int’l, in San Fernando La Union.    Part of their church’s ministry is running a children’s home called Christian Praise Children’s Home.  This “home” was established by Pastor Duclayan in 1987 where they initially cared for 30 neglected children from the Cordilleras.    Some of the kids are orphans, foundling or fatherless.   For more than 20 years, Pastor Duclayan and his family has nurtured and took care of more than 300 children who grew up and became good Christians and productive citizens of this country.  Some are already working abroad and some have answered God’s call and worked in a ministry.

Pastor Duclayan and his church are some of the true heroes of our country.  They selflessly work for the welfare of abandoned and neglected children and gave them hope, dignity and chance to grow.  The Duclayans work without expecting any praise or recognition.   I never felt so humbled meeting people like Pastor Duclayan and Ray.

To know more about the children’s home, please visit their website:

www.christianpraisechildrenshome.org.

This is the facade of Christian Praise Fellowship church and the orphanage.   Pastor Duclayan built this from donations and support of good samaritans.

Pastor Abraham Duclayan, my friend Ray and his young muay thai warriors.  One of the programs of their children’s home is developing kids through sports.  And Ray’s chosen sport is muay thai.   These kids are the future of muay thai in the Philippines and it is my desire for them to continue what they have started and see them compete in international muay thai competitions and bring home medals, honor and glory to the country.  With their able instructor, Kru Ray, they are not far from that dream.

To Ray,

With all sincerity, I am deeply honored to meet you and your father.

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AAK Summer Sports Clinic Graduation Friday, Jun 5 2009

The premier Karatedo organization in the Philippines, AAK or the Association for the Advancement of Karatedo held its 2009 General Practice and Milo Summer Sports Clinic Graduation last May 31 at the Main Activity area of the SM Mall of Asia.

My daughter, RP made the jump from being the muay thai panda to being the karate panda (she attended the Milo Summer Sports clinic for muay thai last year) and participated in this event.  If RP does good and becomes a colored belt or a blackbelt in this martial art and hopefully be able to compete in an international tournament, my life will do a full circle because its my father who introduced me to karate when I was still a child and practiced this sport (including judo and tae kwon do) until I graduated in college.   Though admittedly, I leaned more into TKD and became member of my university’s varsity team.

The instructors and blackbelts of the AAK, led by its founder Pocholo Veguillas Shihan, front row wearing sunglasses.

Students from various AAK chapters participated in this annual event.   The main activity area looked like a sea of white clothes from an advertisement of a laundry detergent.

RP, second from right, practicing the inward block with her fellow AAK whitebelts.

Rebecca Cyril Torres, a consistent international medalist, is one of RP’s favorite instructors.  Here, she leads RP and other white belts practicing their kata.    RP, sort of idolizes her not only because they share the same first name but also  Ms. Torres is an international karate champion at the age of 12.

Part of the program are demonstrations done by colored belters from different AAK Chapters.

Here, two karate practitioners are doing a bunkai or a demonstration of the application of a kata.   Kata is like shadow boxing for muay thai.  In shadow boxing, you do practice techniques while visualizing an opponent.  A karateka does the same thing with kata, though with kata, the movement and techniques are set.  Whereas in shadow boxing, the movement and techniques are up to the nak muay.

AAK female blackbelts gave a demonstration of women’s self defense to the delight of the crowd.

RP’s favorite instructor, Sensei Rex Resureccion.   Initially, RP abhorred karate and even told her sensei that she preferred muay thai (I think she got her guts…or her tactlessness from me.  But hey, I’ve mellowed down).  Now, she said she favor karatedo from muay thai.  Thanks, to her Sensei Rex, which she has a nickname, Sensei T-Rex.

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