18th Angkor Wat International Half Marathon (Siem Reap Cambodia)

  
cool early december morning breeze and breaking dawn at angkor wat presented the perfect mood for a run that signalled the start of half marathon.

i was one of the 7579 participants from about 75 countries.

it was a very festive morning at the gun start.

children lined up along the street to give hi five and cheer the runners for that needed energy boost .

it was an incredible scene as i passed by one temple to another. . i couldnt help but take some photos instead of running faster .

time passed by so quickly as i was busy admiring the facade of each temple which was so amazing and impressive

...the gigantic green trees accentuate the very serene path and before i knew it i was at 16 km marker already

i passed by more temples that made me wonder how could
the ancient people build such a grand and magnificent place.

and im startled at how so many tourists i met along the way.

greeters and spectators were cheering us as we run towards the finish line.

felt lucky that i had a photo op with the fastest runner.

japanese amateur runner minora onozuka and vivian tang from singapore won  in the men and womens 21k event respectively. but am proud to say that in womens category a filipina named janet agura placed second.

it was really an unforgettable experience having been able to participate in this charity event.

with my spectator...daughter nica

Takbolusyon 3 and AM Runners

Theres no stopping as our town will hold its third Running event aptly named Takbolusyon3.

Running has become an "in thing" here spearheaded by my brother mayor.

Mayor Arnel w running buddy Cong. Sherwin Tugna

A running group was formed that ran regularly thrice  a week .

Camaraderie and brotherhood were established among the members.

An exhausting morning run is usually ended by a hearty breakfast.

We even joined big running events in Manila like Condura Run, Run United and Milo marathon.

Run UNITED

Hence this running event is something everyone  looks forward to.
This time we will cover a longer distance of 16K.

21K runners

But we also have shorter distance level like 10, 5 and 3 K.
And we have invited runners from our neighboring town.

after a 26K run ..from Bustos to Divine Mercy in Marilao

Running releases "feel good" hormones enough to sustain energy throughout the day.
Your Minds think clearly and your body healthy .
See you on November 30!


Kudos to Bustosenyos Runners!

Sto. Niño Town Fiesta 2014

Being  in a catholic country every town has its patron saint.
In  Bustos, Bulacan it is Sto. Niño...

hence the name of our hospital which my  parents started.

While we also do "tugyaw" (tugtugan at sayaw) to honor Sto Niño every third sunday of January as whole country does...

our town sets its fiesta every last Sunday of February.


For the year 2014  I was chosen as president of the committee fiesta along with
a family friend and relative Rene De Leon.

Rene and Debbie de Leon

Its is such an honor to be
given the task but it also entails a gargantuan responsibility.

My parents headed the fiesta committee in the 70's and its such a reverence
to follow their path.

Former Mayors of Bustos Pablito Mendoza & Thelma Santos with Fr. Alto (Mayor Arnel is one of the kids on the picture)

To raise funds we decided to hold a raffle of Toyota Vios
proceeds will be for the completion of a new tabernacle which was our chosen project.
Yesterday the car was delivered and it is on display at the church patio.
Its P500.00 per ticket to win a car and help our church.

I fervently pray now that we could be able  to raise funds to make our church more appealing with its new altar.

  Along with the commitment of heading the committee I am hoping for  your support in making the next years fiesta celebration a success.

Baby Factory

  Reminiscing...Fabella Hospital...the baby factory

Lately Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital was in the frontline

because of mercury spillage in their  stockroom.

Im glad it was contained already but am amazed  how the 

news described the hospital as "baby factory".

Suddenly I began to reminish my good old days in this hospital.

I spent my four year residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology in this institution.

I can't imagine I survived four years of sleepless nights during our duties every four days.

I think my energy were all exhausted during those days.

1994 First Yr. OBGYN resident

picture taken from Fabella FB group..tnx!

But I also have fond memories of my stay there.

Having my training under the tutelage of the best OB GYN in the country...

Having acquianted and became friends with my consultants, co residents and staff. 

and last but not the least having  met my husband there.

We usually deliver morethan 100 babies  on our 24 hour duty.

Hectic schedules,  irregular meals and toxic duties were our typical routine.

Everyday is always stressful esp. during our morning endorsement conference as

we don't know if any of our patient develop problems during the night or

a consultant would castigate  us on how we managed our patient.

Though there were long lines of patient during the consultations

the bonding we developed among our team mates grew stronger.

together we helped each other survived the residency program.

despite the unwholesome schedule we had,  we were able to sneak out to nearby
Tutuban mall in Divisoria or Zurbaran...

despite the meager salary we received those days,  we were able to  eat out at fancy restaurants
when we grew tired of eating at Jojo's eatery nearby.

Forever my husband and I would be grateful to this institution.

during Ricky's residency graduation 1998

It nourished our minds and developed our skills to be competent in our

chosen career.

Long have been gone but the friendship we gained 

we treasure to this day.

Fabella would always be my  family.

Like mother like daughter

If there's one thing that I look forward every Sunday then it has to be a date with my mom.

I have to forgo my early morning  run to be with her at our newly discovered place.

Our weekend is not complete without a visit to Sidcor market in Quezon City .

Its a day market that sells all kinds of stuff from wet to dry goods but our favorite area is 

the "plant" section where they offer different variety from ornamental plants

to fruit bearing trees...to pots and organic composts.

We go there early in the morning so as to catch the "early worm..."

rather "best choices"...

My mom is a plant lover all her life and now i am also a plant enthusiast like he

Together we find delight in looking at the beauty and uniqueness of each plant.

we choose, haggle and buy plants that catch our fancy.

our day  is capped with our favorite breakfast of lugaw with tokwa't baboy, guinatan and 

inengs barbeque with rice.  then we shop for more plants till the heat of the sun reminds us that its time to go home.

i think my mom is getting healthier and she has something to look forward to every weekend  and she's enjoying every minute of our time there.

with Tito Odie n Tita Nora "our new recruit"

and i feel the same. its a great way for me to destress from our busy lives.

just looking  at the plants calms my senses and clears my mind.

it's also  wonderful  to have a special time with my mother.

getting to do the things we both like  is one of life's blessing.

our loot for the day!

though i am a mother myself but being with her makes me feel special  and young 

because

i'll forever be her daughter!