First off, the CHK Student Council would like to thank Sir Jovenal “Jovie” Narcise for pledging his support for Project CHK (and for those of you who know, or don’t know, he’s also known as the “Bald Runner” among the blogging circles ). He has donated a whopping P5,000.00 to our noble cause.

Author’s note: I, personally, have been following Baldrunner’s blog for quite some time now. I was SO starstruck when I first met him… and that’s apart from my jaw dropping to the floor when I found out that he’s already 56, and he can run twice as far and twice as fast as I can. I’m only 21. It is my sincerest wish that I one day grow up to have his boundless energy and endurance… although with more hair.

Our thanks also goes to Passion Runner who’s still one of the main driving forces behind the project. Without him, we would never have met all the sponsors we have today.

Left to right: CHK Councilor Jonathan Reyes, CHK Chairperson Marix Matta, ME, Eric Pasion, Jovie Narcise, and Raymond Ordoveza

We were about to leave and have breakfast when… lo and behold.

Yup, you guys got that right. That’s Senator Pia Cayetano, who ran the 15KM race event. It’s not everyday you meet a senator… and it’s not everyday you meet a senator that can run 15KM.

Senator Cayetano is among the great alumnae that has emerged from the University of the Philippines, and runs several meaningful foundations including Gabriel’s Symphony, a foundation for Children in the memory of her dearly departed son, Gabriel Cayetano Sebastian. She plays a host of sports including Volleyball (former Team Captain of the 85-96 Lady Maroons team), and the Duathlon. Senator Cayetano is perhaps one of the foremost advocates of sports, fitness, health, and environmental concerns in the country. Special hi to Ms. Ani De Leon who was an alumna of the UP, and was a former member of the illustrious UP Varsity Swimming Team.

One last photo, and we’re all set to end the entry for the night. Here’s a little treat for all the volunteers from the UP College of Human Kinetics and the Track and Field Varsity team under the guidance of Coach Rio Dela Cruz.

Astig talaga maging CHK. Peace out!

It’s times like these that I’m glad to have the right to freedom of speech.

Today, June 22, 2008 the MV Princess of Stars under the Sulpicio Lines Company sank as conditions of the extreme weather caused the boat to topside. So far, 700 passengers have been counted missing, and are now feared dead.

Hundreds of family members stormed the Sulpicio Lines office looking for rescue for their lost loved-ones. Meanwhile, President Arroyo herself gave the head of the Philippine Coastguard a “severe tongue-lashing” from her hotel room in San Fransisco, USA. She states that the incident could be avoided had the coastguard issued a storm warning on time.

Needless to say, there isn’t anything that can be done about the past. No amount of tongue-lashing will cause the accident to be overturned or avoided. Now, the burden of action lies with President Arroyo, who could’ve at least staved off further disaster by asking for rescue personnel from the United States Government (considered a close ally of the Philippines) while she’s already staying in the country. Shame on her for not thinking of a good solution to this severe human crisis.

Another important factor we must consider is the fact that the Sulpicio Lines company has already cost the lives of thousands upon thousands of Filipinos in naval accidents. Let’s remember the MV Dona Paz, which set aflame mid-sea causing over 1500 of our countrymen to die back in the 1980’s. This accident in fact surpasses the SS Titanic disaster in terms of casualties (the Titanic’s death toll numbers only up to 1490 people). It is this kind of irresponsible corporate behavior that must face severe legal sanctions in order to forward true corporate responsibility and accountability. Witness the hypocrisy, and show your support against irresponsible corporate behavior by commenting on this entry.

P.S.

In case anyone is wondering what this post has to do with Project CHK:

Project CHK is more than just aiming to renovate the college with better facilities.

Project CHK is about reinforcing the image of Human Kinetics students as kapwa iskolar-ng-bayan, fellow activists and partners in nation building.

It’s about showing the world how dear we hold the ideals of the University in our hearts and minds.

Lifted from http://shanglee.com/blog/2008/06/12/kung-fu-panda/

There is no special ingredient

If you’re waiting to learn about one special ingredient so that you’ll progress tremendously in whatever you’re trying to learn, you’ll be disappointed, because there’s no such special ingredient. You can definitely get away with the skills you have, but it will not bring you very far, unless you realise that there is no special ingredient, then your mind opens and everything is acceptable.

This is the mind of the child, the absorbent mind, as discovered by Maria Montessori And maybe, this should be the mind of the learning adult as well.

Shameless plugs about Kung-Fu Panda aside, people in general (myself included) are always obsessed about finding the magic formula to life, love, and riches that they forget to do any actual living. For those of you who find yourselves in the same cesspool of darkness, fear, and insecurity, do something fun that will let you relax and open up your mind every once in a while!

The key word here is to LIVE (interestingly enough, the word is a verb, which means it assumes you must do action). Live life with a little more Zen. Live life with a little more trust that you are capable of learning and adapting to the circumstances around you without needlessly worrying about the past or the future.

This, I sincerely believe, is the secret formula to succeeding in anything in life. This is the same formula I hope to be able to consistently apply to Project CHK.
Enjoy your day, everyone!

P.S.
Happy 100th Birthday to my beloved University of the Philippines. May you forever stand as a symbol of everything that is good and noble in the Filipino Youth.

In the spirit of the UP Centennial, the College of Human Kinetics is also aiming to undergo it’s first student-initiated major renovation project since the College’s construction exactly 70 years ago. For those of you who are curious, the college is BAR-NONE the best athletic education institution in the Philippines. BAR-NONE.

Now, why should you even care?

The rooms speak for themselves. As a runner, I cannot imagine going home after a race event to that kind of bathroom. The quality of these rooms is nothing short of demoralizing.

We can change this!

This is a major and groundbreaking project on a scale that the college has never seen before. The passions and efforts of the council have already garnered the assistance of 2 U.P. BA Interior Design graduates who were part of the U.P. Kalayaan Dormitory renovation (who have agreed to lend their talents in designing the 3D Models for the new Locker Rooms).

A new and upcoming organization, Run For Change, has also pledged its support for the project by making it the beneficiary of it’s first cause-oriented race run on June 29, 2008. The organization’s founder, Eric Pasion has also generously agreed to host the project’s web exposure through his website.

We have also gained the attention of the UP Alumni members who are in the Quezon City Hall, most notably fellow runner Councilor Dorothy “Doray” Delarmente who came into the college to visit the dilapidated Varsity Locker Rooms of the college (she was so moved by what she saw that she already agreed to donate to the project).

We are gaining much ground, but we still have a long road to travel. On behalf of the UP Varsity Athletes, I am asking for any support that anyone is willing to lend us. We are looking for anyone who is willing to solicit, market, donate, give contacts, or just pledge their support on this website! Spread the word to everyone you know! Any effort, no matter how big or small, is GREATLY APPRECIATED.

If anyone is interested about the project, TEXT ME (Lester Yupingkun) at 09063001500!