The Alaska Ironkids Philippines Aquathlon Race – May 19 2013

Last Sunday was the time I get to see up-close true, unadulterated passion to a sport. Where, you may ask, can I witness such kind of love towards a physical activity, a tiring and competitive sport? Well, only where kids are there to compete!

us bloggers (Rod, Allan and Rikki) with Sunrise Event’s Princess and Alaska staff infront of the Alaska station by the finish line (photo credit: Art of singingdadotr.wordpress.com)

It was like Family Day at the Ateneo De Manila Grade School Campus in the morning of last Sunday where the Alaska Ironkids Aquathlon event is being held. Parents, siblings and other members of the family are present, giddily prepping their little ones , oh and for some, their not so little ones for the race.

parents and spectators at the bleachers (photo credit: Rikki of cheapanggangdiva.wordpress.com)

dad giving daughter some last-minute coaching (photo credit: Rikki of cheapanggangdiva.wordpress.com)

The Aquathlon event fittingly classified participants into two/one-year spaced age groups: 6-8 years old, 9-10 years old, 11-12 years old and 13-14 years old – making sure that participants in each group will not have a big gap not only in age but most probably in built.

It was my first time to see an actual Aquathlon event, as I never took that much interest in it (because I do not know how to swim!). But Aquathlon had an entirely different kind of lure to it when it was the “Ironkids Aquathlon”. When kids do activities that are usually, regularly done by adults, nakakabilib! It not only inspires but also warms the heart. <3

Coach Ani briefing the kids (photo credit: Photo-Ops)

the boys doing the swim, galing! (photo credit: Photo-Ops)

out of the pool on to the transition area (photo credit: Photo-Ops)

Ironkids Philippines is actually the mini-version of the popular Ironman 70.3 triathlon race series. What is good about the Ironkids is that it offers not only a full triathlon race event but also aquathlon and running events – perfect for kids who may be just preparing to join triathlon races or simply just would like to dabble into one or two sporting disciplines. 

Watching the kids, I can’t help but feel inggit, my thought bubble – “If nung bata ako meron nang Ironkids, baka I know how to swim na at this age!”.  The race was executed just like how an adult aquathlon race is done – complete with race-branded swim caps, a transition area, official photogs, a finisher’s medal, shirt and loot bags! Podium finishers aside from the medals even have trophies with teddy bears to go with it! Aliw! 

at the transition area (photo credit: Photo-Ops)

these kids were taken seriously! there were a gatorade and summit water hydration stations (photo credit: Art of singingdadotr.wordpress.com)

aside from the Regent loot bags, there’s also a Regent product sampling booth for everyone (photo credit: Art of singingdadotr.wordpress.com)

and of course, there is an Alaska wet sampling booth! this is on top of the Alaska loot bags given away to all participants (photo credit: Art of singingdadotr.wordpress.com)

photo of the relay winners together with Coach Ani and Alaska Mascot E-Cow! See the teddy bears? (photo credit: Art of singingdadotr.wordpress.com)

post-race, kids still do have the energy! these two boys by the finish line wearing their “badges of honor” – finisher’s shirt and medal (photo credit: Photo-Ops)

Post-race, I am contemplating on having my little boy participate in the coming Alaska IronKids Running race on June 1 at the SM Mall of Asia. It will be a different but great experience for a kid especially in terms of discipline, hard work and determination. Gone are the days where every kid will be content in being infront of a computer, tv or gaming console – with the Alaska IronKids, speed, strength, agility and power-ups are to be experienced in real life and not just via a push of a button.

Congratulations to all who participated and finished this race, good job kids! And props to all top finishers, keep it up!

For more photos, you can visit the Alaska IronKids photo albums from the Photo-Ops Photography FB page HERE.

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
.

The NIKE All-Women Training Club Launched!

The launch of the NIKE All-Women Training Club was a party, a celebration of woman power!

Nike Philippines Country Marketing Manager, the pretty Courtney Cole-Faso explained that the aim was really to provide women a training alternative where sessions or activities are focused on women-friendly activities which may not necessarily have equal appeal for the men.

That is why for the kick-off session, Nike, together with its partners came up with one grand event, even flying-in Nike Master Trainer Marie Purvis to lead everyone into the Nike Training Club brand of workout.

After the exclusive media session at the 2nd Floor of the Planet Sports store in BGC (which will be the hub of the Nike All-Women Training Club), we were brought to the activity area for the main event comprised of a super tiring, sweat-inducing but awesomely fun workout led by Marie (most of the workouts can be done alone with the help of the Nike Traning Club – NTC, mobile application which can be downloaded for free on iPhone and Android devices), a 1.5km run where participants are handed-out long-stemmed red roses as they cross the finish and a fun post-workout snack of cold water, bananas, Oreo cookies and sorbetes (Filipino-style Ice cream!).  A booth was also setup for the trial of the new NIke Free shoes. Oh and of course that fun, fun trampoline experience!

Are you interested to be part of this training club? Check back soon as an announcement to the official opening of regular sessions is posted here. Membership is FREE and exclusive to women only.

Meanwhile, here are photos. Enjoy!

Nike Philippines’ Country Marketing Head Ms. Courtney Cole-Faso and Nike Master Trainer Ms. Marie Purvis pose for the media.

Marie: “Can I kiss my muscles?”

Nike PH’s EKIN Andro Torres presents the Nike Training Club application

with Bards and Marie

the view of the Nike Training Club activity area as seen from the 2nd Floor of Planet Sports.

my fun trampoline experience

Ateneo Women’s volleyball team player Gretchen Ho and Ateneo Women’s football team coach Tata Garcia were the event’s hosts

all-women hip-hop dancing group! they are great!

hyperactive bards with cheryl

women participants sweating it out

that’s Marie leading the workout, we were lucky to have worked-out with her in person!

boys gave out red roses to the ladies as each cross the finish line of the 1.5km run

beautiful volleyball player Gretchen Ho was among the first ones to finish

my rose

the Oreo and Banana “tower”

sorbetes!

yes we can!

PRESS RELEASE:

Nike Inspires Filipino Women to Run Free

Female Runners are Globally Connected with the Nike+ Running App

PHILIPPINES, 6 May 2012 – Over 200 female runners joined Nike to Run Free through the streets of Bonifacio Global City at an exclusive all-female celebration of running and training.

Led by Nike Master Trainer Marie Purvis, Run Free celebrated the power of women runners in a be-proud-of-your-sweat Nike Training Club workout session emphasizing the need for a holistic athletic training regimen for runners.

“Nike Training Club makes you a stronger runner and athlete because of its well-rounded training program that allows you to develop muscles that may get overlooked by running as well as improve your overall fitness. The secret to achieving this is to stay consistent, stay dedicated and most importantly, have fun with your training,” shared Purvis. “I have always admired the enthusiasm of Filipino women from around the world and seeing the energy of Filipina runners as they run free with the world in this event has only reinforced that impression.”

Harnessing the energy of its youthful audience were locally-renowned DJs Kat DJ and Patty Tiu, collectively known as Deuce Manila, who got the ladies moving with their high-octane beats, while Brewing Point Dance Studio, an all-female dance crew, stepped up the heat with their hip hop dance routine. After much anticipation, Marie Purvis was introduced and really got the energy flowing with an intensive Nike Training Club set followed by a 1.5 kilometer run and ended with an NTC warm-down. Also present were Nike ambassadors Tata Garcia and Gretchen Ho, who hosted the event.

Already boasting a strong presence in the Metro Manila running scene, Nike introduced its weekly all-female Run Club in BGC and showcased its digital platforms—the Nike Training Club App and the Nike+ Running App. Both apps are designed to inspire runners to move more and move better by providing tools to strengthen, track and measure their performance, and challenge their friends who also use the app to compete.

“With the trend of digital media going social, Nike+ presents the perfect opportunity for runners to run anywhere, anytime while staying connected to the global running community. In the same way, we want aspiring young female runners to know that there are women all over the world who can inspire them to become the best runners they can be. We definitely look forward to establishing the foundations with female runners as we drive the running revolution in the country,” shared Nike Philippines Country Marketing Manager Courtney Cole-Faso.

For more information on the Nike Run Club schedules, please visit http://www.facebook.com/NikeRunningPH or follow us on twitter via @NikePH.

The Enervon Activ Hydration Belt Promo: April 26 to May 26

A hydration belt. It’s one thing that you need but probably haven’t gotten yet maybe because of budget constraints (the cheapest one you’ll be able to get, I heard, was around Php1,000 pesos) or maybe because you decided that it is not really a priority item to purchase. But then when you run, you realize it will have been great if you have one! You know what I mean!

So now, here is a good chance for you to own a hydration belt via the Enervon Activ Hydration Belt Promo:

If you have already registered for the 2013 Run United 2 race or have plans of registering, then an Enervon Activ Hydration Belt might be yours for the taking!

Wanna know how? Here are the mechanics:

1. This promo is exclusively for registered 2013 Run United 2 participants.
2. Purchase 10 pieces ENERVON ACTIV at any of the authorized registration centers of RU2 (worth 120php) and get the limited edition Active Health Hydration Belt for only 200php (includes 2 bottles X 180mL).
3. Race bib number must be presented when availing the promo.
4. Promo can be availed once per bib number only.
5. Promo Duration: April 26 – May 26 or until supplies last.

Per DOH-FDA Permit No. 0831 s. 2013

Easy peasy right?

But then again, with the generosity of the people from Unilab Active Health/Enervon Activ, I will make it a little bit easier for TWO (yes, just 2!) lucky readers of this blog to own one! Read more to know how!

KULIT ON THE RUN’S ENERVON ACTIV HYDRATION BELT GIVE-AWAY:

TWO lucky Kulit on the Run blog readers will each receive one (1) Enervon Activ Hydration Belt by following the below mechanics:

1. Each hopeful reader should have participated in at least (1) Run United race from 2012 to 2013. To prove this, please post as a comment the following:

• a link to a photo of yours taken during your Run United race participation (RU 1, 2, 3 or RUPM of 2012 or RU1 of 2013). please make sure that the link points to an accessible photo.
• a reply to the question “What did you like most about your Run United race experience? (refer to the particular race where your photo was taken)
• your full name

2. The two entries with the best looking photo AND best answer will be announced as the winners.
3. Entries can be posted starting today until 8PM of Sunday, April 28.
4. Winners to be announced afterwards and will be emailed on the details on how to claim their prize.

GOOD LUCK!

NBA’s Smallest Player MUGGSY BOGUES in Manila

Having been a basketball fan during my childhood, it is with delight that I got to be invited to the Meet & Greet activity of the Alaska Milk Aces with NBA smallest player ever, Muggsy Bogues. I always remember him as the basketball player in the Sprite commercial on TV who got past an opponent by going through in between the very tall player’s legs!

muggsy and me!

Muggy is here to provide inspiration to the kids who are participants of the on-going Jr. NBA National Training Camp. As the training camp ends and the “selection camp” is due on Sunday, one of the most heart-warming message that this NBA veteran imparted to the kids is that motivation and determination is a key to take you to the realization of your goals/dreams. A message so inspiring and appropriately coming from a man who at first nobody every believed will get to be in the NBA. But he did got in and made history while on it!

The Jr. NBA presented by Alaska Sponsors with Muggsy Bogues

Muggsy’s accomplishments got me to thinking that for anybody, even us who run or ride the bike, the right amount of motivation, determination and passion to do good in whatever one chooses to do, being successful is not an unreachable goal. Muggsy Bogues proved that in all his 5 ft. 3 in. height he can also be a force to reckon with in the land of towering NBA giants.

Incidentally, the Jr. NBA Camp is being presented by Alaska Milk and aims to produce the best kiddie basketball players in the country. At Sunday’s Selection Camp, 10 Filipino kids will get to be selected as the top camp participants and will get a chance to represent the country in an NBA related activity.

In a related development, Alaska Milk has also forged an agreement with NBA to be the  presenting partner for the first ever Jr. WNBA program in the Philippines. Below is the related press release. 

Alaska to serve as Presenting Partner of first-ever Jr. WNBA program in Philippines 

Wilfred Steven Uytengsu President & CEO Alaska Milk Corporation and Scott Levy Sr. VP and Managing Director, NBA Asia

MANILA, PHILIPPINES APRIL 26, 2013 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Alaska Milk Corporation (Alaska) have announced the expansion of their multi-year marketing partnership that began in 2011.  As the Official Milk Partner of the NBA, Alaska will maintain its commitment to developing basketball in the Philippines and will connect with the passionate NBA fan base through grassroots events, television and digital exposure, and promotions for its customers at retail.

Building on the success of the Jr. NBA Philippines program, Alaska will serve as the presenting partner for the first-ever Jr. WNBA program in the Philippines.  Tipping off in 2014, the Jr. WNBA presented by Alaska will give Filipinas the opportunity to showcase and improve their basketball skills.  Alaska also will continue to serve as presenting partner for the Jr. NBA program, which is currently in its sixth season.

“Alaska is excited to be renewing our relationship with the NBA,” said Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, Jr., President and CEO, Alaska Milk Corporation. “Our partnership with the NBA has helped us reach thousands of Filipino youth each year, encouraging them to lead a healthy lifestyle through sports. More importantly, we help them realize their potential as individuals while instilling positive values. We anticipate even more success through this partnership with the NBA in the many years to come”.

“Expanding our partnership with Alaska to introduce the first-ever Jr. WNBA program in the Philippines is a great step in bringing the game to more of our fans,” said Scott Levy, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, NBA Asia. “Both the NBA and Alaska share a commitment to the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles among Filipino youth through sport, and we look forward to continued collaboration between our two companies to grow the game of basketball.”

The sixth season of Jr. NBA presented by Alaska, which will conclude this weekend, saw record participation numbers with 1,000 kids at the school clinic in Davao and a total 1,374 kids trying out for the Regional Selection Camps. The National Training Camp will be held in Manila this weekend with the top 10 players being named to the Jr. NBA All-Star team and the Jr. NBA Coach of the Year being named. 

Over the last three years, in partnership with Alaska, the Jr. NBA program has grown to reach more than 500 schools and 60,000 students, parents, and coaches across the country. Each year a new city benefits from the free grassroots basketball program that involves not just young players but also their parents and coaches. 

More information is available on the Jr. NBA event website at www.jrnba.com.ph. Fans can also follow the Jr. NBA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jrnbaphilippines.

For all things NBA, visit www.nba.com or follow the league on its official Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/NBA_Philippines.