A Night of Rugby Football 101

Our “date” last Saturday night was something that hubby and I look forward to – first time kasi namin makakapanood ng Rugby Football game. Ito yung HSBC Asian 5 Nations Rugby Tournament where the Philippines plays host to two matches: the May 4 game Philippines vs Hong Kong and the game that night, Philippines vs UAE.

The Philippines was represented by the now popular and successful rugby team, the Philippine Volcanoes! Woot-woot!

I am not familiar to the game of rugby although I know, from past teachings in school and from my readings (oh yes, I love to read! I thank you! hehe!) that it is kinda like football and/or soccer but in a more physical and intense way. Seeing a game being played live and in this kind of intensity is a welcome treat for me. It was as if I was having a Rugby Football 101 lesson live!

So apart from the todo-todong enjoyment (may time, so enjoy-enjoy lang! hehe!), I learned a lot as far as the sport of Rugby is concerned. Let me share with you some:

1. Rugby Football, as a sport here in the Philippines is now gaining a lot of awareness and interest. It was not a full Rizal Memorial Stadium but attendance was great. Andami pa ring tao ah!

2. Mastery of the sport is not a requirement for you to enjoy the game. Common sense will help you understand the goings-on – bakit naka-5 points, bakit 3 points lang, bakit yun isang team ang may ball possession… But if ever you want to really know more about the basics to fully understand and be on rugby-mode on, may pinamimigay before the game na chart that shows all the basic things that one needs to know about rugby.

3. Bawal ang PIKON sa Rugby! If you are the player handling the ball, you’ll get tackled, hit and even receive hard knocks not just from one but from many players from the opposing team. And as your teammates need to protect not you, but the ball you are handling, when you are down, they get down on you too! Which tells me also na—

looks like a mob diba? pero hindi! the player who is in possession of a ball can be “tackled” – yan ang ginagawa nila sa photo na ito

if you are the usual ball handler, you will always get tackled – madaganan, masipa, mahila at kung anu-ano pa. bawal mapikon!

4. — Bawal din ang lampayatot! (read: Lampa and Payat, in english – naks, may in english! lampa = unsteady or clumsy, payat = thin) If you are thin and unsure of your footing, you will most probably end up with broken bones. Rugby is a game of strength and endurance. One is always expected to be physically fit!

If lampa or payatot ka, hindi mo ma-achieve itong SCRUM which is defined as a movement using feet only, players try to send the ball toward back to begin play

5. Rugby players can be great runners! Their endurance is amazing and sobrang drop-jaw talaga to see them sprinting at great lengths sa field trying to get past burly obstacles (opposing players) to bring the ball to their goal.

whether in possession of the ball or not players are expected to sprint at times especially when running after the ball or running to send the ball to the goal

6. Halos lahat ng players sa Philippine Volcanoes, half-Filipino and half-Foreign blood pa. Hopefully in the near future, maging-successful yun drive na maka-develop sa grassroots level ng mga magagaling na true-blooded, 100% Pinoy. But ok na ok naman ang ating mga half-Pinoy brothers sa Team Volcanoes!

the Philippine Volcanoes team

7. Just like in running – sa rugby din passion, dedication, preparation and training plus a lucky dash of talent ang kailangan para maka-achieve sa sport na ito. Sa totoo lang kahit anong sport or gawain sa buhay ito naman ang mga winning ingredients di ba! I admire the Philippine Volcanoes’ passion sa sports na ito, para ring mga runners na kilala ko sa passion nila sa running!

8. Nothing can make watching a great Rugby game more fun, more exciting than being there live and shouting and shrieking and jumping in sheer joy and excitement with your loved-ones and good friends. Yun na yun eh! Aside from Art and I, running blogger friends Banjo, Rod, Rikki and Allan were also there to watch. Kaya ang saya!!!

photo credit: runningfreemanila.com

As runners we all are, we agreed that it was an awesome change to take time to watch and appreciate a different sport once in a while. Makes you kinda realize that the passion to one’s sport should all be alive within us.

Well, to sum it all up, it was time well spent with great people which hubby and I will gladly do again if given another chance. The Philippines won 24-8 vs. UAE, a clear testament that it truly deserves its Top 5 ranking in the Asian Nations Elite 5!  Hopefully, they continue to climb to the top of the rankings!

Lastly, thank you very much to sponsor FILA for the invitation and warm accommodation given to us the entire time. Cheers!

ATTN ALL LADIES: Women’s Health ARE YOU GAME? Is On June 1, 2013

First it was an all-women’s training camp from Nike, now here is another event especially made for women! I am beginning to feel super-duper special. Isn’t it fun being a girl??? Yes it is!

Every year, Women’s Health Magazine from other countries celebrate via a women’s festival or event entitled “Are You Game?”. This fun annual gathering of women is recognized to be Women’s Health flagship event and last year, the Philippine edition had its exhausting but fun, fun, fun debut! I and a number of other female bloggers were there to experience it  and we really had an awesome time! 

Summit Media’s Christine Ongteco, me, Bards, our honorary female Banjo and Roselle (we were given awesome-fitting event shirts that makes us look NOT fat!)

Here are some of last year’s fun activities:

the bull ride

yoga session

trx workout

fitness consulting

cooking demo

This year, Women’s Health Philippines will stage the 2nd edition of this event and if the success of last year’s event will be one’s yardstick, I definitely encourage every ladies out there to be there at the SM Mall of Asia for the 2013 Women’s Health Are You Game? event. 

I and my other female blogger friends had a blast last year that is why I am looking forward to seeing you experience the same too! Read on the below details to learn how you can join.

Women’s Health ARE YOU GAME?
June 1, 2013 (Saturday, 10:00AM – 7:00PM)
Music Hall, SM Mall of Asia

EVENT DESCRIPTION: An all-day, feel-good festival that features the latest in fitness, nutrition, wellness, beauty and more!

OPEN TO: Women of all ages!

ENTRANCE TO THE EVENT IS FREE!
Each participant is just required to present a copy of the Women’s Health Magazine May or June 2013 issue on event day.

ONLINE PRE-REGISTRATION:

• Available at http://www.femalenetwork.com/WHAreYouGame/
• Pre-registering entitles one to:
  • get access to the express lane
  • bring in (1) one friend for FREE!
• A valid ID and a copy of the Women’s Health Magazine May or June 2013 issue serves as an Entry Pass

ON-SITE REGISTRATION:

• Available on the day of the event with just a copy of the Women’s Health Magazine May or June 2013 issue required to be presented to serve as an Entry Pass.

WORK-OUTS:

BOOTH ACTIVITIES:

OTHER FUN ACTIVITIES:

PRESS RELEASE:

Women’s Health brings back Are You Game? in the Philippines

Shape up your best body this year as Women’s Health Philippines brings back its flagship event – “Are You Game?”, an all-day, feel-good festival that features the latest in fitness, nutrition, wellness, beauty and more! Happening on June 1, Saturday (10:00 AM) at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia, Are You Game? is sure to encourage today’s active women to take control of their physical and mental being.

Following the success of the first Are You Game? last year, Women’s Health makes it possible for Filipino women to experience more this June through new workouts like SMRT-Core Circuit, a 30-minute class which is designed to lengthen the muscles, strengthen the myofascial lines and slings, and integrate the body for a complete body workout. Les Mills Body Jam™, a signature workout of 360 Fitness Club which is a cardio workout that fuses the latest dance styles and hottest new sounds to put emphasis on having fun while exercising.  Beyond Sculpt, a brand new fitness-based approach to yoga that is targeted to strengthen the body using weights. Zumba Toning, a combination of targeted body-sculpting exercises and high-energy cardio work with Latin-infused Zumba moves to create a calorie-burning, strength-training dance fitness-party. Fit Into Your Jeans Workout, a total-body workout that sculpts sexy thighs, legs and butt while working on the upper body and core, and FNR (flexibility Not Required), which is a simple, worry-free introduction to yoga. 

Besides trying out the latest in fitness, Are You Game? also provides the best in skin care and wellness through various booth activities like one-on-one skin, nutrition and slimming consultations, massages, nail treatments, and dehydration booths. Plus, participants can try out other fun sports like archery, wall climbing, and dance consoles!

So what are you waiting for? Be healthy, be fun, be game! Don’t forget to bring the May or June issue of Women’s Health to enter. To know how to pre-register, visit www.femalenetwork.com/WHAreYouGame/.

Women’s Health Are You Game? event is brought to you by Century Tuna, Planet Sports and Kojie San. Special thanks to minor sponsor Nische, official venue partner SM Mall of Asia and official media partners Female Network, Wave 89.1 and Magic 89.9

For more of Women’s Health grab a copy of the May issue of Women’s Health with Jodi Sta. Maria on the cover available in all bookstores, magazines stands nationwide. You can also download the May issue of Women’s Health online, visit
https://www.summitnewsstand.com.ph/womens-health
.

LIVESTRONG Day Philippines on October 21

PRESS RELEASE:

In the Philippines, cancer is the third leading cause of death. Yet there are very little cancer prevention programs or consciousness programs. What does this mean? With little awareness or concern, for your relative, friend, officemate or you, this may mean, recognizing it too late, diagnosing too late or less chances of surviving. In the Philippines, cancer survival rates are low.

Team Philippines Benefitting LIVESTRONG works to change these facts because we know we live in a society where change can easily be done. But we just need your support. In our society, spreading knowledge is about creating the numbers, coming together as one group of individuals who empower each other, and demand change.  Think about your friend or family member, or that story you heard from someone else – those people who have faced cancer, are fighting cancer or whose lives were forever changed by cancer. They are the people we are coming together for. 

Every year, Lance Armstrong celebrates his induction into cancer on October 2nd. Team Philippines, supports this organization because we believe that the Lance Armstrong Foundation is one that attacks cancer holistically. The fight is not only about the research or the medication. It is about the people who are fighting, their families who are strong and struggling, the lifestyles that keep us healthy and cancer-free and the awareness that we need to take action.

This year, we will hold the Philippine event on October 21^st a Sunday. It is a bike and run event designed to unite, inspire and empower people affected by cancer as well as to promote the need for healthy lifestyles. The proceeds of which will support local projects that furthers the advocacies of LIVESTRONG. 

The LIVESTRONG Foundation was founded in 1997 by Lance, whose mission is to inspire and empower people affected by cancer, to unite people to fight cancer through programs, experiences, taking aim at the gap between what is known and what is done, for cancer prevention, providing access to screening and care, research – to improve the quality of life for cancer survivors – that you must not let cancer take control of it. 

The annual event is now known as LIVESTRONG Day Philippines, hosted by Circulo Verde, an Ortigas & Company development in Calle Industria, Quezon City. Thankfully, we are not alone in this fight. Organizations like the Ortigas & Company have been gracious in extending their support. This support helps offset the costs associated with the event day, but also generates donations that we turnover to local cancer foundations. This also means that participants of the event enjoy some token items at the activity areas.   Aside from Circulo Verde supporting us, we have Makati Medical Center, Nattural Quality Corporation’s Ampalaya Plus, Booster C energy shots, Gold’s Gym, MyTAG, San Miguel Beer, Dunkin Donuts, Manila Water, Enduro & Trifemme Sports, Multisport magazine, BikeBros, LoopBikers, PasigMTB, mtb.ph,  the Pasig City Running Club, and Multiply.com for our online all-mode payment portal.

Because we want the support to continue year-round, at the event we also engage activities aimed at raising funds to cover event expenses. Through the sale of jerseys and merchandise, can we be able to fund the event.  Personal donations are also welcome because these are personal actions that unite us against the fight. In 2011, the event was 3000 strong, this year we hope for more. Coming together empowers, it is our strength. It reminds us that we are not alone in this fight and there are many others that need our support.

Last year, Team Philippines Benefitting LIVESTRONG asked the Philippines to imagine their world without cancer. This year, we ask for your strength. We believe that coming together, fighting as an entire society gives strength. We encourage everyone to come. We believe that Unity is Strength.

See us at www.livestrongdayph.com for registration and other event details, or email us at livestrongdayph@gmail.com.

 

FREE Men’s Health Urbanathlon BOOT CAMP!

Let the Men’s Health team make sure you get ready for the upcoming Men’s Health Urbanathlon and Festival 2012 race! Get a feel of the race obstacles in this FREE MH Urbanathlon Boot Camp!  Details in the poster below!

AVON KGBC’s Let’s Walk the Talk Tour

AVON, the company for women, continues its breast cancer crusade this year with the 20th edition of its Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer (KGBC) campaign.

Avon Philippines President and General Manager Kanwar Bhutani welcomed the guests and supporters of Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer Press Launch and Tour Kick-Off

Atty. Felipe L. Gozon (Chairman and CEO, GMA 7) gave a brief message to encourage people to support Avon’s Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer advocacy

Avon Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer Advocate, Sarah Lahbati

The said campaign was launched last August 15 at the GMA7 Studio 7 led by no less than Avon Philippines President and General Manager Kanwar Bhutani, GMA7 Chairman and CEO, Atty Felipe Gozon and GMA 7 Celebrity Sarah Lahbati who incidentally is the new KGBC campaign advocate. The launch was characterized by the unveiling and a kick-off of  the “Let’s Walk the Talk” tours which will mainly focus on helping “build a community where people understand that the best way to fight the disease is through early detection and awareness.”

Arni Rifareal (VP for Human Resources, Ford Philippines), Faith Fernandez Aranton (Head of PR and Communications, Avon Philippines), Sarah Lahbati (KGBC celebrity advocate), Kanwar Bhutani (Avon Philippines President and General Manager), Atty. Felipe L. Gozon (Chairman and CEO, GMA 7), Dr. Rachael Rosario (Executive Director, Philippine Cancer Society), Jen Colayco (SM Women’s Committee), and Cristina Cruz (Director of Marketing, The Peninsula Manila)

Avon’s league of women who battled and survived the fight against breast cancer

The tours will cover educational sessions on how to do self-breast examinations, free breast examinations by attending physicians and “opportunities to get to know the disease more through poignant stories and experiences from survivors.”

Avon had breast-vests (as in the photo) produced in order to help/teach participants do a proper breast self-examination in the tour

during the tour, attending physicians will be stationed in cubicles and will be ready to provide free breast examinations

Aside from the kick-off at the GMA7  last August 15, the tour  has since then went to AVON Las Pinas last August 20 to 22 and at AVON Taft last August 27 to 29. If you are interested to take part on this campaign, the next tour schedules are as follows:

• September 3 to 5 – AVON Shaw
• September 10 to 12 – AVON EDSA
• September 27 to 30 – SM Cebu (off-site)
• October 25 to 28 – SM Davao (off-site)

Finally, for us runners and walkers, the Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer Series of tours will culminate with the annual WALK AND RUN EVENTS. Read on for the details:

AVON’S WALK AND RUN EVENTS
October 21, 2012
SM Mall of Asia Open Grounds
walk/5km run/10km run

REGISTRATION FEES/PURCHASE REQUIREMENTS:
Walk Event:
– Purchase the 2012 KGBC T-Shirt for only PHP 220 from an AVON Representative beginning Sept. 1
– For every shirt purchased, Php20 will be donated to the Philippine General Hospital Breast Care Center and selected provincial hospitals.

Run Events:
5km – PHP 500
10km – PHP 650
– Run Events’ registration fee comes with an Avon KGBC Race Kit which is inclusive of a singlet, race number and give-away.
– Proceeds from these events will go to the PGH Breast Care Center and selected provincial hospitals.

* Individuals may also show their support for the cause by purchasing the AVON Ultra Color Rich Brilliance Lipstick, with part of the proceedsaw ( earmarked for the breast cancer fund.

REGISTRATION CENTERS:
1. AVON Branches: (from now until October 13)
– Makati Head Office (864-2638)
– Taft (516-8001 to 06)
– Shaw (571-8937 / 541-8933)

2. Royal Sporting House (from now until October 13)
Glorietta 4, Makati
(752-7084)

3. R.O.X. Store (from September 26 to October 14)
Bonifacio High Street
(856-4639)

2012 KGBC T-Shirt Sample (as worn):

SINGLET SAMPLE (as worn):