Sto. Niño Hospital Christmas Merrymaking:THROUGH THE YEARS

If there's one thing everyone's looking forward this holiday season,

It is our annual Christmas Party.

Year after year, the excitement is escalating ....from the theme costume

'neon light ' ( twas so unique!)...

 ... to the 'fast and furious' rehearsals of each group ,

 exhausting their effort and time ,transforming themselves off their usual norm in order to give a fun- filled awesome whimsical performance!

...to the carnival of raffle prizes...dances..

fancy intricate facial make-ups...for real group chats....and much laughters!

It was truly a festive annual Christmas Party!

While everyone is serious at their hospital duties,

taking a break for this event  can be "crazy and funny"

at one point my mom got nostalgic remembering Sto Nino Hospital through the years...

reaching this 48th year is already a blessing...hopefully to reach future generations of our clan.

then raffles were given out, expecting a bigger surprise.

Thanks to all our pharma friends and my kuya Mayor Arnel who gave door prizes.

Candles were blown and wishes were in-mind as  I celebrate my pre-golden birthday!(whew).

Thanks for the birthday cake!

at last at around few minutes past 10 pm ...Winners were announced.

...all winners for me actually considering the efforts they've made plus the 'merry and happy' moments they brought bringing the house down!!

Congratulations to Group 3 for that "hilarious" and well chereographed number.

Truly a winner by making everybody laugh especially our OR nurse Ambet, ICU nurse Marvi ,

helper Michael and radtech Conrad!

..it was unanimous though, i think..

.thanks also to the judges who gamely participated and seriously computed the scores up to the hundredth percentile!

Again and again....Congratulations to Raymund for a job well done.

As for me, this annual SNH  christmas party was, is and will always be a part of my existence...not only as a mere expectator but as a living witness since childhood , for which I consider one of the legends  my parents  gave us through the years....

Thanks for the Christmas merrymaking!

New York Marathon 2015…a race recap.

Couldn't contain my excitement as I went to the ferry station by myself that would bring runners to the starting line at the Staten Island.

There I met my med school classmate and friend Dr Noel Almiron and Evelyn Rivera, both veteran New York Runners.

With them I found solace and my jitters lessened as we took our  ferry and bus ride . Before we knew it we were  at the foot of Verazzano bridge.  Security was tight as we made our way to our designated waiting area.
The weather was perfect that morning at 18 C.

I was overdressed because I dreaded the cold weather runners  experience previously.

So I threw them off at the bin for donation before the gunstart.

I was so overwhelmed  at the starting line as Frank Sinatras "New York New York"  was being played amidst the roaring and exciting crowds. There was a lot of energy and tons of people.

It was gun start. I felt a little nervous but the weather was fine  and it felt like it was a great day to run.

I kept my pace slow... up and down the 2 kms  Verrazano bridge. This was it!

Crowds from Brooklyn were shouting giving encouragement to runners.

I totally forgot that I was running because I was thrilled seeing one band played after the other on almost all streets that we pass.

 I took turns in reading the placards with words of comfort and funny quotes to keep us going.

Felt so lucky because the weather was perfect... that it was also sunny. I'm used to training in a hot weather so this was a real treat!

a lot of people lining the streets

Took a lot of "selfies" and gladly posed to the official photographers not minding my PR time to beat because I wanted to document that rare moment in my life when I felt a different level of frenzy and joy.

The run was not flat. It was in fact elevated in most area especially near the finish line.
But the uphill training I did before paid off. I think this marathon is perfect for  runners with some challenging parts but with a festive and supportive crowd to keep you going.

It was at this marathon that I enjoyed every minute rather than being totally consumed and exhausted.
Running through the beautiful trees with colourful autumn leaves under a bright blue sky was a sight to behold.

Surely got tired but never experienced wanting to give up during the run.

I knew I nailed it when we passed  by Queensborough bridge and my energy was still ecstatic.

Around 35 kms I got hungry and took some slices of oranges being offered by strangers. There was enough hydration stations along the way and a lot of volunteers. I was so careful not to slip on the floor with banana peels and paper cups.

I hardly used my  music walkman because I wanted to savor the sounds of enthusiatic crowds. Some even shouting my name from afar.

Felt envious as I saw most runners with their family and loved ones meet at certain areas then embrace, kiss and have their pictures taken.

I was in full blast of energy at the finish line.

Felt like freezing this happy moment in my life as I got the medal.

Though my husband was not waiting for me at the finish line the support he gave me during the training period was enough to keep me in high spirit.

It was so unbelievable to run ...and see the five boroughs of New York in one day …
and amazing to to able to finish this marathon.

thanks Ryan, Josie & Adea for the love n support!

And a new PR at 5'29" official time.

Finally…I conquered New York Marathon!

Im so grateful that I discovered the joy of running.

Will i ever do it again?


Yes!

My Journey to New York Marathon 2015

Since 2012, I have  been trying my luck to the lottery of the New York Marathon ...and that's annually!...until finally this year, America granted me the 'squeak ' and was chosen among  the hundreds of thousands of hopefuls this year. whew!!!

When i got through with my first Bullrunner marathon three years ago, i never thought of a second nor a third run...it was for that time being...

...because of the lure of running in the five boroughs of New York  city along with the humongous , avid, mile- hungry  50,000 runners from around the globe ...definitely, it's a choice!!

For 18 weeks, this event was and is my LIFE! lived, breathed, and trained exasperately  to achieve a fighting level ..   I used the new york road runners virtual training program.

My neurons were focused solely ( yes, my soles included?) into running, racing , pacing, and mileage counting to conquer the 42 kms.

The discipline and determination ( esp. on waking up so early at dawn) I gained was unsurmountably  a great holistic achievement not only physically but to my entire being.

I get that 'high' when i run outside , 

It gives me countless freedom , floating hours to think and reflect away from my ob works! Sometimes bright ideas would just pop in my mind while running.

There were so many things to expect and watch out for especially the moving vehicles and unpredictable azcals (street dogs) !

To avoid getting bored I schedule my long runs in places Id never been. It also gives me the opportunity to have some pictures taken at some scenic spots we pass along the way.

 One great thing  though about running is that once I did run for more than 60 mins I am flooded with "feel good hormones"that  help me through the next several miles.

My driver  Christian became my running cum photographer buddy . It feels safe to run with him especially in unfamiliar places.

After training for 18 weeks  and did  4 half marathon n one full mary (39 km long run) I knew I was ready for the marathon.

 I have this confidence that the sweeper bus would not ' sweep' me away.?!

4 half mary & one full mary in 18 weeks!

 But still I'm nervous about what it would be like especially the very cold and windy weather of New York, for which I am not accustomed with..

Im now at my tapering period and in ten days  I'll be running the greatest marathon challenge of my life..

As in any other tasks I have done , I always think of what Ophrah Winfrey said about running... "Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it."

my supportive family

I firmly believe I can be there at the finish line no matter what..

It would only be the line that would be finished, but my passion will go on and move on!!

I will conquer the New York Marathons !