I was first informed of the race last August 2010. I was sure to register not only because of the fun events afterward, but also because I was invited by my brother and other runners. I thought it would be a great opportunity to meet new friends and see friendly faces.
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JAZZ UP YOUR SINGLET
I was already registered as early as the first week of September! I was trying to decide HOW I was to design my singlet. I may be a teacher, but I’m really not THAT creative. So I decided to just paint my site’s name at the back of the singlet. I tried writing with pencil first, but failed miserably as I learned that you can’t erase pencil on fabric. Like I said, I really had no idea what I was doing. So I started painting and covered up the pencil marks. But then, the paint starts to spread as I fail to realize that you should not add water to acrylic paint! I ended up with a really messy singlet and unreadable text.
Lucky for me, I had an extra singlet! I got this from the launch party held for bloggers. So I tried it differently this time… no pencil and no water. However, I still ended up with a really messy singlet and slightly readable text. I start getting frustrated! I just can’t get what I want! I almost give up… I think I already did. But then my fiance suggests that I try scrubbing off my old work, and so I did. Thanks to a bottle of Zonrox and a scrubbing brush, I was able to get the paint off after much much scrubbing! It wasn’t too clean though, but light enough to paint over on.
.I start again, this time I try different techniques. I used a small squeeze bottle instead of a paint brush, and I try to imitate the silk-screen manner of printing. It still came out a little messy, but readable and much better. My next problem, how do I hide all the paint stains? Easy! Make it look as if it were part of the design! So I take a toothbrush and a paintbrush and start splattering paint all over my singlet! And finally to top off my design, I ask my tutees who are aged 6 and 2 to leave their hand print on the singlet. There! I finished designing it THE NIGHT before the race!
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BLUE WATER DAY SPA FUN RUN
I arrived with a bunch of friends just MINUTES before the run! Hannah Villasis of flaircandy.com was with us as well. She however registered for the 10km race, while we settled for 5km. Sooner then we realized, the race was on. I had fun running and was able to maintain my pace for the first kilometer. Rested a bit on the 2nd and got back on track afterward. However, nearing the finish line, I started feeling stomach cramps. As much as I wanted make a dash for it, my stomach cramps just did not let me. So I had to walk it off. I was way over time.
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POST-RUN EVENTS
There were several events after and I had fun roaming around. There was even a video booth and all runners who jazzed up their singlets were asked to proceed here, and so I did. I read online that we get to share our experience in decorating it so I was already preparing what to say in my mind. But then when I get in front of the camera, the guy with the mic suddenly asks, “What made you decide to join the event?” I was suddenly at a lost of words and I started stuttering. I ended up saying “I joined especially because my brother Vince Golangco of wheninmanila.com promoted it to me! Oh and I’m Cheryl Golangco from littlerunningteacher.com” and I step out. I felt like one of those beauty contestants who just gave out stupid answers. Now I know how it feels! I failed miserably and seriously had my palm on my face afterward.
Meanwhile up on stage, there was a game of Bring Me going on. It was fun seeing everyone join in on the fun! Not long after, the celebrities started going up on stage. Karylle Tatlonghari, Fabio Ide, Daniel Matsunaga, Boom Labrusca, Sam Milby and Kiko Rustia. They were all really really nice! :)
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There were more games for runners and celebrities! First up was the Sam Milby look-alike contest! 5 men who were brave enough to say they looked like Sam got up on stage to strut their stuff! The top 2 guys who had the biggest audience impact won!
Next up, the 2 Brazillian hunks Fabio Ide and Daniel Matsunaga took over the stage! It was fun watching Fabio try to speak Tagalog! Good job! Later on, Fabio joked and said he’d give a free massage ON STAGE ! I’m pretty sure almost every girl there wanted that free massage from Fabio but was shy! I myself wanted the free massage! Just when we all thought the game was over, a girl with much guts got up on stage and lied down! It was a really funny scene to see! I admire the girl for her strong guts!
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Afterward, there was an eating contest! The celebrities and volunteer partners had to eat 6 pcs. of barbecues, the fastest team wins. Boom and his partner Jam won the game! I’m craving for barbecues now!
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Anyway, next up was the Jazz-Up your singlet contest. I was one of the chosen finalist and this really got me excited (especially after the frustration I felt from trying to come up with my desired design). When I got up on stage, I found myself in front of Boom Labrusca. We met during the bloggers’ night event but I did not expect him to still remember me. I was surprised and really glad he did! He gave me a high five and announced that there was a blogger on stage.
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FIRST PLACE WINNER!!
It was time to select the winner. All the designs were really really good! I even saw one who I think sew beads all over his singlet. It was really good! Sam Milby was the judge and he had difficulty picking the winners! I can’t blame him! All the designs were really really good! In the end, they came up with the top 3, and I am proud to say I won FIRST PLACE! I was in shock and really really REALLY happy! I got to have a photo-op with Sam Milby…. but I think I was smiling too much. (haha!) Guess it’s evident how thrilled I was… not just because I won but because I’m having a picture with SAM MILBY and his arm was around me! (faints!) I’m not really a die-hard fan, but his face was just so angelic up front.
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___________________________Photo taken by Leo Manalaysay
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I really had so much fun at the event and I’m pretty sure everyone else did too! Looking forward to the next run by Blue Water Day Spa!
I was no longer able to stay for the announcement of winners ‘coz we were really tired and sleepy already. But before we left, we just had to spread the word about WhenInManila! haha
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Sidenote:
I know several runners were disappointed from the run due to the empty loot bags. Please do not lose faith though as this was an honest mistake. The sponsors failed to deliver the day before and did not even make an appearance during the run due to Typhoon Juan. It was just a case of bad luck I guess. As for the early registrants who paid full…. I paid full as well. Yes, it was disappointing but at least they tried to make up for it by giving free race kits. It’s a first, so there’s still lots of room for improvement. Take the best out of the experience, it is after all a FUN run.
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Anyway, CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners! …also a shout out to Vima Mendoza of kulitrunner.wordpress.com (I was wondering who was calling me!) and Anna Lampa of RunnerSpeak (I missed my photo-op with Fabio! haha!) Check out my facebook fanpage for more pictures!
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Next run: St. Peter Life Run
