7-Eleven Trail 2019

This year, I’ve decided to join the annual 7-Eleven Trail series held at Timberland Heights in San Mateo, Rizal. A total of 3,000 mountain bikers registered for the successful event. My friends and I registered on the 30kms 4hr cut-off category.

The 30kms. challenging cross country course was comprised of uphills, jumps, ramps, and every serious mountain biker’s favorite, single tracks.

It was one grueling but fun weekend. Definitely joining and looking forward to next year’s event.

Back ONLINE !

It’s been years since I’ve last updated this blog. Aside from the weekend rides, there had been trips, and upgrades on the MTB I use. (wooohoooo!) Glad to be back blogging about my 2-wheeled adventures (and of course, other things in life that interest me…..food, travel, and some of the events that are unfolding right before my eyes).

On*One Scandal sits on top of Timberland Heights.

Bigger wheels. 

I’ve finally shifted from using a 26″ wheels to that of using a 29er. Got rid of the good ‘ol Marin Trail Palisades and acquired an On One Scandal (raw finish) frame. I’ve also given up on using a suspension fork and opted for a steel rigid fork.

Looking forward to more rides with this baby. More stories to come.

#OnOne

JD and Boracay

Perfect companion for nights in Boracay….Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 Tennesse Whiskey

The Taxi Queue

So Marcos Highway in Marikina has been newly rehabilitated. Sidewalk improvements…check! Bike lanes…check!

Upon seeing this pic this morning made me wonder….why are taxi cabs using the bike lanes as their taxi queue? Again, it’s another classic example of these public utility vehicle drivers ignoring the sign.

I am keeping my hopes alive that the City government of Marikina will do something about this.

**Special thanks to JM Abania for sharing this photo**

Fees for owning a bike? For what?

I see no bike lanes in the City of Pasay. I am just wondering why is the city government charging its citizens a fee for owning a bike.

**Special thanks to Danny Andag for sharing this photo**

 

Watch Ad in Luneta

This is such an eye sore especially today, June 19, is Jose Rizal’s birthday. Why in the world they allowed such ad to be placed in front of the statue? This is a blatant display of disrespect to our national hero. Whoever picked the spot might have forgotten a thing or two about nationalism.

Special thanks to Jamela Alindogan for posting this on Facebook. (https://www.facebook.com/jamela.alindogan0. I share your sentiments ma’am. This is just too annoying.

Pacman vs Bradley : Upset in Vegas

The world waited for the bout. The pound-for-pound king, Manny Pacquiao against a challenger (who’s basically unknown to most of the ordinary Filipino), Timothy Bradley. The bout had the usual media exposure. Day 1 of training for both fighters were covered. Significant news about the preparation being done by both camps had its media mileage.

For the viewing public here in Manila, Pacman’s fight would not be only the main event in MGM Grand but would also be “THE MAIN EVENT” of the day. It’s one of those days where most of Pacman’s fans would drop whatever they’re doing to catch a glimpse of the pound-for-pound king defend his title. Streets would be empty, traffic would be a thing of the past (well, only for a few hours), and a 0% crime rate (hope this rate would continue for years…thinking the impossible).  People would pay that extra peso to see the bout live. Restaurants, movie houses, and other establishments took advantage of the situation by offering live broadcasts of the fight (with a fee of course, plus the audience get to order food in restaurants). “Good business so to speak.”

Anyways, as for me, I was in the comfort of our own home and watched the bout in high definition. The fight was Saturday night in the US, Sunday morning here in Manila. Action-packed Sunday for sports fanatics. It was the same day when Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA was held. Talk about action-packed. A do-or-die game in the NBA and a bout destined to be remembered in ages to come.

Undercard matches took place. Now it was time for the main event. The moment everyone was waiting for. Everyone had to wait a little more (literally) as PACMAN had to do his usual pre-fight warm up. According to reports, he was late dressing up for the fight for the following reasons:

• He watched the Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals when he came to the venue.
• He anticipated that the bout before the main bout would take long giving him time to finish the game he was watching. The anticipation FAILED.

I felt that Team Pacquiao (no matter what they say), had to hurry in warming up the champ because the stage was set. The fight is about to begin. (Again, this is just my feeling.)

Michael Buffer began his usual  “Let’s Get Ready to RUUUUUUMBLE.” followed by introduction of the fighters.

At this time, everyone at home watching was also pumped up for the fight. All eyes glued on the live coverage. Bell rang, here we go! Fight on its way. I’m not a boxing expert but this is how I saw the fight. Early on in the rounds both fighters exchanged a barrage of punches. Some punches happened too fast and was difficult to see if it landed or not. The live tv coverage showed slo mo highlights of the fight in between rounds. Pacman indeed, landed several punches in the head and body. Almost all throughout the fight Pacman’s usual style of urging his opponent to attack or acknowledgement of good punches was present. 

In between rounds, the viewers would see and hear what’s going on in the corner. In Team Pacquiao’s corner, I remember one round Buboy Fernandez was telling Pacman to use his speed and good footwork. (“I-speed lang kelangan natin. I-speed.). At the end of round 6, heard Boboy Fernandez tell Manny “Pag tinamaan mo, dire-direcho na yun.” (If you hit him, you can hit him again and again and again.)

Two points based on what Boboy Fernandez in between rounds…

• Did he see Pacman slowing down hence, suggesting that speed and good footwork can wear the opponent down?
• Did Pacman lack follow up punches that’s why Boboy was encouraging Pacman to throw more punches? 

As the bout progressed, many of the audience (including me) felt that Pacquiao was in control of the fight. He was even smiling inside the ring while the bout was taking place. (Over confident perhaps?). It was a slug fest. Both fighters were on full auto. Powerful combinations were released by both fighters but none of them kissed the canvass by virtue of a knockdown. NONE. (this made some of the audience unhappy.)

Here’s the Ringside punching statistics:

Pacquiao landed 253 punches as opposed to Bradley’s 159.

Round 10 punches favored Pacquiao.

Bradley was huffin’ and puffin’ in the early rounds which made me think if the guy can last 12 rounds. (well, he did!)

Fight progressed. Crowd was on their feet. Both fighters were involved in several lock ups during the fight. There was also accidental headbutts.

12 rounds of boxing finally ended. It’s all in the judges hands and they way they saw the fight.

Michael Buffer was back in the ring to make the announcement. It was a split-decision. The world was stunned. Bradley scores an upset in Nevada.  “Surprise” was written all over Manny’s face.Pacman landed more punches based on Compubox stats. Two of the judges saw it otherwise. Rematch slated on November of this year. This’ll be one good fight again. As for Manny, the fight versus Bradley was one of the best fights in boxing history (no doubt about it). It’s also a wake up call. You’re not immortal and multi-tasking is not a 100% formula. It does fail sometimes. Look back in those days when you were still working hard reaching the top. There were no distractions and it produced great results. It placed you where you are right now.

…..And still the champion, Manny “PACMAN” Pacquiao.

What happened to the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999?

Republic Act No. 8749 otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999. 

Passing by EDSA everyday I can’t help but notice several smoke belchers still plying the 24-kilometer highway formerly known as Highway 54. Whenever I get a chance to ride my mountain bike (mostly weekends) I also notice smoke belchers in the province of Rizal. Within the city or outside the city limits these vehicles have been emitting high air pollutants.

“Article 4

 SEC. 21. Pollution from Motor Vehicles.- a) The DOTC shall implement the emission standards for motor  vehicles set pursuant to and as provided in this Act. To further improve the emission standards, the Department  shall review, revise and publish the  standards every two (2) years, or as the need arises. It shall consider the maximum limits for all major  pollutants to ensure substantial improvement in air quality for the health, safety and welfare of the general  public."

 

SEC. 22. Regulation of All Motor Vehicles and Engines.- Any imported new or locally-assembled new motor  vehicle shall not be registered unless it complies with the emission standards set pursuant to this Act, as  evidenced by a Certificate of Conformity (COC) issued by the Department.

Any imported new motor vehicle engine shall not be introduced into commerce, sold or used unless it 
complies with emission standards set pursuant to this Act.

Any imported used motor vehicle or rebuilt motor vehicle using new or used engines, major parts or 
components shall not be registered unless it complies with the emission standards.

In case of non-compliance, the importer or consignee may be allowed to modify or rebuild the vehicular engine so it will be in compliance with applicable emission standards.

No motor vehicle registration (MVR) shall be issued unless such motor vehicle passes the emission testing requirement promulgated in accordance with this Act. Such testing shall be conducted by the DOTC or its authorized inspection centers within sixty (60) days prior to date of registration.

The DTI shall promulgate the necessary regulations prescribing the useful life of vehicles and engines including devices in order to ensure that such vehicles will conform to the emissions which they were certified  to meet. These regulations shall include provisions for ensuring the durability of emission devices.

SEC. 23. Second-Hand Motor Vehicle Engines.- Any imported second-hand motor vehicle engine shall not be introduced into commerce, sold or used unless it complies with emission standards set pursuant to this Act.”……

 

I’m no lawyer but from what I understand is that no motor vehicle shall be given an MVR (motor vehicle registration) unless it passes the emission testing. I guess what we lack is a very strict implementation of this act. More anti-smoke belching units perhaps? A more efficient enforcers maybe? 

 

Go up the hills early morning. Take a look at the city from afar. SMOG is what you’ll see. What happened to the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999? 

 

Come to where the flavor is. Come to Marlboro Country.

Blazing Horizon. More Fun In The Philippines.

Breathtaking sunset.