iamninoy runners

The race this coming Sunday is definitely going to a memorable experience for me… for several reasons.

Though I have not seriously trained lately, nor have I been able to log in any runs for the past 3-4 months, I will  push myself to finish my first 21k.

If not for myself, for others.

I am proud to be an iamninoy advocate… I am proud to be a “hero”

[NOTE: For more info on the iamninoy campaign, visit http://iamninoy.com]

Close call in the skies…

Last Thursday, my parents and my brother left for the US to attend an Orthopedic convention in Las Vegas. Saturday morning, my sister wakes me up and seemed somewhat distressed.

M: Eric! Can you check what flight Mom and Paps are on?
E: Ok.. Why?
M: Check NW2 if that’s the flight they were on.. Search the internet, google it. Some sort of accident happened and over 30 people were reported to be injured.”

I opened my Dad’s email and did confirm that they were on that Manila-Narita-Los Angeles flight aboard NW2. I was starting to get anxious. I searched the internet and this article came up [INQUIRER.NET].  What struck me was this part of the news report: “Among the most seriously injured were three Filipinos — two men and a woman – Jiji national news agency reported, quoting local police”.  I think my heart skipped a beat since I know my parents always sit in the exit row (my dad has long legs and wants more room to be comfortable, especially for long flights). I didnt want to tell my sister since she might get ever more worried since she has been trying to get in touch with my parents and brother since she found out about what happened thru the news.

I didn’t really know what to do but pray that nothing bad happened to them. Over 45 passengers were injured and around 20 were seriously injured, most of whom needed to be brought immediately to the hospital. Others were thrown out of their seats and hit their head on the ceiling. 

A few hours later, I get a message from my brother thru facebook. Whew! They were safe… thank God!

Earlier today, my sister visited the house and told me that she got an email from my dad and brother. Apparently, they were the “saviors on board NW2″ This was my dad’s email…

Dear Melissa,

You should be very proud of us, me and Rich. We were the only doctors on board and we were the ones who attended to all the casualties, more than 20 in all. There was a big airport pocket that jolted the plane an hour before landing and this caused the passengers to hit their heads on the ceiling and young children flying in the air and landing on the floor. Most had cervical spine injuries. One was so injured that he had spinal shock and transient paralysis. Rich did some improvised cervical braces (PGH style) as temporary measures, since they did not have cervical collars in the plane. Some patients had scalp laceration, contusions, backspasms etc. We attended to all patients until the plane landed in Narita. We then gave instructions to the paramedics and advised them on the extent of injuries, telling then which patients need to be transported first to the hospital. All NWA staff were all praising us for our good deed. Your Mom was so proud of us. The reward was 5000 miles rewards to each of us, and then Rich and Mom were again upgraded to business class all way to LA. We were all seated together in Row 9 E F and J. It was a very fulfilling trip. Sayang, in all the confusion I forgot to give the camera to your Mom…sana na video nya kaming attending to all the patients who we laid down on the floor.

Tonight we watched the Laker-Hornets game at the Staples Center. I drove the car of your tito Berio. The Lakers won in overtime.! We will be meeting with Nani, Sarah and your Tita Lulu this weekend. So long for now. Keep in touch. Kisses to the boys!!

DAD

After reading their email, I felt so proud of both my Dad and brother I didn’t have to be worried after all.

One of my inspirations in life

As I was reading the newspaper one morning, I came across an article that caught my attention. “The Gentle Giant of Philippine Orthopedics.” Boy, was I surprised to find out who the article was about…

 

“The gentle giant of Philippine orthopedics”

by Jose M. Pujalte, MD

 

Standing six feet, two inches tall, this robust and equally handsome man walks with a confident stride to greet you with a friendly smile! And you’re so impressed with the imposing size of his physical frame.

You’re both attending the regular Tuesday morning surgical conference at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. During the discussions, he turns to speak with a deep baritone, conveying trust and confidence, but never haughty or lordly. Always speaking the truth, but asking, too, on matters that escapes his mind, and ready to listen in order to learn. He explains fairly and rationally, revealing strong signs of gentleness of heart and mind.

Weekly one-liner #2

“You’ve got to do what’s good for you… or you’re not good to anybody.”

Weekly one-liner #1

“Forgiveness isn’t a gift we give others… it is something we give ourselves” -it’s time to start things right in 2009

Finalist – The Best Single Blog Post Division

Photo Courtesy of Yugatech.com

I was very much surprised to get a pingback in my comments section… Apparently, I was nominated for the Best Single Blog Post Division for the 2008 Philippine Blog Awards. My post “My Change” was nominated for the field of Sports. Here is a description of the award below, as lifted from the 2008 Philippine Blog Awards:

“There are times when a single post of a blog is so powerful that one never forgets it or one is inspired by it. Such is the power of that one post. And this 2008 the Philippine Blog This is the new Single Blog Post Division. It is divided the same way as with the Blog Division.

Sports
A post that reports and discusses events and issues about Sports. It could be about boxing (both pro and non-pro) or it could be about marathon running. More often the distinction here is that this blog covers competitive sports.”

Other finalists in the Sports category were…

Sports:vespa-spotting-one-gorgeous-tricycle
Sports:garmin-vs-nike-a-test-of-accuracy
Sports:why-cant-we-have-everything
Sports:a-new-gameplan
Sports:my-change
Sports:runners-community
Sports:running-bug.html
Sports:when-your-best-days-are-behind-you
Sports:new-route.html
Sports:changes-animo-run-2007.html

Before I knew it, the awards night was over and the Winner was, undoubtedly one of the most respected bloggers and most deserving… JAYMIE aka the Bull Runner! Congrats Jaymie! Jaymie was also the winner of the Best Blog Award in the Sports Category. Double Victory for our very dear Bull Runner The description of the award is as follows:

Sports
A blog that reports and discusses events and issues about Sports. It could be about boxing (both pro and non-pro) or it could be about marathon running. More often the distinction here is that this blog covers competitive sports.

What a coincidence since the week prior, I received and gave out the “I Love Your Blog Award” which is a personal award showing that you appreciate a certain blog. Personal in the sense that it’s not a real award that is given out by a recognized body but more of an acknowledgement that you love a certain blog.

I love your blog awards

This award couldn’t have come at a better time… Thank you Bro J! It really lifted my spirits knowing that someone loves my blog! After being somewhat down lately, either from lack of running or poor running performance or being under the weather or burdened by stress or what have you, my mood got so much lighter. Really!

I realize that all of us are so much connected that our moods and attitudes really affect other people as well. And there are also some people who’s 6th sense on these things are almost never wrong, such as my mom. She goes, “are you just tired or sad?” She definitely knows something was up. On another occasion she goes, “What’s wrong? Nakakunot ang noo mo” [You're frowning]. A mother’s instincts are usually right.

Anyway, this award actually prompted me to work on my long time project of releasing the RUN FOR CHANGE RACE BIBS. So yesterday, I sent out letters to different people asking them to sponsor my little project.

Bro J, thanks so much for this.

* * *

According to Bro J’s blog, there are a couple of rules for accepting such an honor!

1.)The winner of this award can put the logo on his blog.
2.)Link to the person you received your award from.
3.)Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4.)Put links of those blogs on yours.
5.)Leave a comment on the blogs of the people you have nominated as well as the persons blog who nominated you.
6.)If the Blogger you nominate has already received this award they don’t need to pass it on.

And so I nominate 7 other blogs:

These are the blogs that I frequent… and these are also the blogs that got me so much into running that I got addicted to it!

1. The Bull Runner (Jaymie)
2. Banana Running (Bards)
3. The Bald Runner (Sir Jovie)
4. The Loony Runner (Joe)
5. Tech Spec (Taki)
6. Running Shield (Patrick)
7.  3-5-oh-1-2-5-go (Marga)