TAKBOLUSYON 4 : A RECAP

This is the 4th TAKBOLUSYON of our town.

What was once a simple community affair,with mostly our townmates as participants, it evolved now into a diversified , multi- leveled genre' of running enthusiasts
...something we Bustosenyos are proud of.

This year, we have validated that we are a serious running organizer in Bulacan by adding the 'half marathon" (21K ) in our event.

Go Principal!

The buzz and kicks at the gunstart were overwhelming because there were so many participants despite the early send-off at 5AM.

Parking spaces near the municipal area were almost full... Spectators were as agitated as the runners , all came from neighboring towns and Manila.

 10 K followed 30 minutes later ... then 5K.

my brother Vic with his friends fr military

I decided to run the half marathon.

just for fun!  ootd#nikeshirts #garminforerunner #jawboneUP #asicsgelkayano20 #2xucompression #sonywalkman #thorlosocks #21K

                                          

Running in my own hometown is really an  awe-inspiring experience. My unfaltering energy level was high as my own townmates cheer me up as I pass along the way.

Sto Nino Hospital beauties w Mark

The smiles and giggles of the children were inspiring as we exchange hi- fives!

Hydration stations were adequately and strategically  placed in each barangay along with a loud music to get us by...

.. routes of ricelands and greeneries of nature, esp. along Liciada and Malamig, completed the ambience...and was a  calming scenery enough to rejuvenate our tired spirits

Elene with cousins

...even the heavens have showered us with drizzles of rains and  cold breeze  ...watta blessing.

I couldnt let this opportunity pass without expressing my gratitude to the people behind

this successful event.

The Rat Rat Rider Boys who made sure we were safe along the way.

Thanks for escorting us along the route.

The people who manned the water stations...thanks for the ice-cold water!

The people in every barangay  who boosted us up and gave raucous music !

The overall head of this event...Mr Danilo " Tikyo" Cruz.  I salute you for a job well done. Your extra efforts and hardwork were not put in vain…

Sir Tikyo

The AM runners, headed by our town Mayor Arnel Mendoza & CIBAC party rep

 Cong Sherwin Tugna who were supportive to the cause.

TAKBOLUSYON RUNS FOR A CAUSE, AND BENEFITS GO TO UPLIFT THE EDUCATION SYSTEM OF BUSTOS.

Thanks runlittleking of Running Photographers

See you again next year! 

with my pacer Christian

FAT to FIT (Mayor Arnel's Transformation)

This "WAS" the picture of my brother 4 years ago before he started running.

He was already our town mayor then, year 2010.

I'm not sure if he will summon me to his office for showing this "fatso" pictures on my blog.

But what's more important is his transformation.

Fast forward to 2014.

This is how he looks now….

 The dashing Mayor of Bustos…

Despite his busy schedule he makes sure to run 3x a week with his running buddies…the AM runners.

Its not too late for a complete makeover...          
If you want to be healthy, active and good looking like our mayor…

Join us on our "run" slated on Sunday November 30…

Let's all embrace a healthy lifestyle!

"The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body,
the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results."
                                                                       -Anthony Robbins

Morning Rounds...morning bliss!

Upon waking up every morning I look forward to doing rounds in my garden.

What delights me most are the fresh leaves and buds from my plants.

bonsai given by my kuya mayor arnel

 This morning it was one after the other...

old man's palm or Cocothrinax crinita

even this small cycad which my sister brought from the states is showing signs of new life.

...greener leaves and blooming foliage awakens my senses.

...just looking at the greens, removing dry leaves,  pruning and even  replanting are enough to make my morning a blissful one.

...just one of the rewards and happiness for taking care of them well.

"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides."
                                                                   -W.E. Johns, The Passing Show

                                                        

C-Y-C-A-D-S : ADDS PSYCH

When I started gardening, my friends often ask what plant in particular  do i collect...then i would utter the cycad plant. Curiously, they wonder what on earth is that, and at an impulse i started explaining by spelling it...C-Y-C-A-D.

Yes, it sounds unfamiliar as it is peculiarly spelled AND is really a collector's item.The reason why i was intrigued to have it with me ...i was fascinated by its uniformed, slenderly-leaning ,well-patterned green leaves, waving right before your eyes...then on, i fell in love with it..as if adding joy and contentment in your psych.

Commonly, or locally, it belongs to the family of olives ( OLIBA-in common par-lance).The one we use on Palm Sundays

...this is the most common cycad in our country... Cycas revoluta.

Another feature of this creature is its uniqueness.It's not a palm...not a fern...its cycad!

Cycads are genetically strong and resilient for they have lived and survived  more than  a hundred years,  known to be present during the Jurrasic Era.

They grow insidiously  and will "flush" (gives out new leaves)....once a year or more. And I water them just once a week.

Cycads are perfect for eye-catching centrepieces  of a garden like what I did at our events venue, Villa Rosalinda.

or even as a 'grand jewel"at our lawn...

Truly, this specie is stunning and is silently elegant!Though literally it doesn't talk (for which i love plants, they don't answer u back!), they are boastful and mighty knowing how far they have gone.
I find it so cool as they are called "the living fossils"...

then i started getting seedlings....

and began searching for different species....

... got a copy of  this book which helped a lot in identifying them...

naming cycads seemed easier since I'm a graduate of BS biology, my pre med course actually

 (my eldest son's into it also, and i'm in deja vu every time he names plants!)

....got the "pitogo"...also a common cycas in the Philippines...Cycas rumphii

cycas with flush

I love this big Encephalartos hildebranti

I'm yearning for more cycads ..  Encephalartos ferox...
i think this is the trade mark of all beginning collectors

this one is a birthday gift from my hubby.. for my hobby ! (for years he hasn't moved on yet) which I spotted at a garden in  Violeta Village.

         

dioon edule

                                                                 

and I "upgraded" my collection when I got this Encephalartos trispinosus...called "blue cycad".

Just like any collector, I  have this feeling of "just one more" on my wish list. 

I even ordered online and have them delivered the seedlings.

when I renovated the adjoining house, I practically packed the whole perimeter  with different specie...

CYCADS will leave me a legacy ... long before I am gone , this plant will still be there... something that will outgrow me... perhaps extend me to eternity... and hopefully be appreciated by the next generation.