My change

As I have mentioned before, the change that I’m (di pwedeng “we” since wala pa ako kasama sa movement na ‘to… hehe) looking for can be an individual change or a change that you seek for the country or perhaps a change you wish for someone else.Let me be the first to post my CHANGE STORY.

I’ve always been healthy (aka fat or chubby is you want to be nice ) as a child. My yaya did not want me to engage much in sports or strenuous activities since she would have to change my shirt often or would have to change my lampin. As much as I was seemingly an active child, or I’d like to believe I was, since both my older brothers were basketball players. So I also wanted to be just like them.

Anyway, my weight has always fluctuated. I was really big in Grades 3, 5, 6 and 2nd and 4th Year High School and 3rd Year College all the way up to 1st Year Law. The years in between those I’ve mentioned, I was of normal or average weight. Not thin nor lean but just right. No bulging bellies. Those years I mentioned, I looked 3 or 4 years older, I seemed slouching and I was really big.

During my thin years, I’d exercise by playing basketball (I’m not good, I’m just taller than most other players my age) or run. The sports that I like, but not necessarily engage in, are bowling and wall climbing. It was only fairly recently that I really got into running.

In 2004, I was at the “peak of health” so to speak. I was fit, I could easily run 7 rounds on the UP Academic Oval. I was at 19 body fat% and my weight was around 150lbs. Two years after… tada! 210-215lbs and around 26-30 body fat %

I got so big that I told myself that I got to do something… and do something quick! I went on a vegan diet for about 2 1/2 months… I did lose all the fat and was down to around 190 lbs. I got thinner but then, it all came back and before I knew it, I was at around 195-205 lbs again. Well, at least I was not at 215. Being in law school also did not help since I had absolutely no time to exercise. Up until I got into running.

My first event was actually the ICTUS Century run held at UP Diliman. I ran the 5k but I remember walking half of the time. My first big race event was at the Subic International Marthon where I did my first 10km at 1:15:26.

[Victor Villanueva, myself, Ias Bernardo, Josh Benitez, Brixton Busto, Paolo Rieza and Nino Villonco]

After Subic, I got hooked! I would try to run everyday but I was not as active. Then I got involved in a running group (some members are above). Then I became more particular about food, diet, training and a program. Before I knew it, I was joining almost every race that I could. (Thanks to Bull Runner for the race schedules).

I started running for myself, to lose weight. Now I want my running to have meaning and purpose. Maybe it’s just in my nature or I was brought up that way (see picture below, hehe)

Now, I’ll start to run not only for a change in myself, but a change in the things around me.