Running for A Furry Cause (Pet Express Doggie Run 2016)

Every year in a mid-March summer's day, all the doggies come out to play. Actually, more of a 1.5K, 3K, or 5K fun run! 

The annual Pet Express Doggie Run was held last weekend, and it was definitely a howling success! Now on its 6th year, around 1500 doggie runners turned up to run for PAWS (Philippine Animal Welfare Society), and raise money for the animal shelter. 

The surprise guest was actor and dog lover, Gerald Anderson, who went straight from shooting to the starting line to represent the Gerald Anderson Foundation (GAF), a non-profit volunteer organization founded by him and his family, that trains pets to be K9 dogs for search & rescue missions. He was accompanied by his brother, Ken, who also ran with their dog, Koda.

Also sighted at the run were seldom-seen dog breeds like a sharpei, great dane, and a border collie, to name a few. (Sorry, no photos though.)

Aside from an over abundance of doggie rundorphins, all Doggie Run finishers earned doggie medals and doggie lootbags for a job well done. Their humans were also given treats. A first time for this canine-centric fun run! haha.  

Look who dropped by for the 5K run? Well, there's Gerald Anderson,
representing the Gerald Anderson Foundation...
And there's Jason, the Hush Puppies basset hound mascot! ;)
(betchadidn't know that's his real name!)

1.5K Doggie Runners ready to run!

It's Charlie the Choco Lab's first Doggie Run.
Good luck, Charlie!

It's Fergus the Aspin's first run too!

Cooling off after the run. That golden boy is loving it!

Raising funds for PAWS via racing. Now that's a win-win situation.

1.5K Category Winners.
It's amazing how those tiny chihuahua feet can run so fast!

3K Category Winners.

5K Category Winners.
Winners were accompanied by Ken Anderson (in blue cap) of the Gerald Anderson Foundation.

Missed the Doggie Run this year? No worries, just add Pet Express up on Facebook to keep tabs on all the dog (and cat) events, including next year's Doggie Run! :) 

Just Because :)

#DoggieRun2016

I'm just gonna put this cute (big) lil' furry fella out here... ;) 

Into The Blue (& Pink & Purple & Yellow & Green...) (Watson's Sun Warrior Challenge 2016)

What do you get when you crossbreed a race filled with colors with a race filled with obstacles? 

Color Manila Run: Watson's Sun Warrior Challenge 2016

Color Manila Run is at it again. And this time, they paired up with Watson's to give you a whole new level of colors and fun in the sun! I've been lucky enough to be a recipient of a free 10K race kit via Kikay Runner's blog (Thank you, Noelle!). I've been to a number of Color Manila Runs already, and every experience has always been crazy fun. Last weekend's run was no exception, except that they can only level up! And by level up, I mean bring you more challenges than you could imagine. And by challenges, I mean giant slides, and the like.

Mere words can't express the whole experience, so here's a splash of colors for you to enjoy. :) 

When Watson's UV bracelet turns from white to purple,
it means you need to get a good dose of sunscreen ASAP!

Starting to see rainbows...

Slide into wave of fun!

Runners Bond.

Woo-hoo!

Look at the streets... Look how they shine for you...

It was all yellow...

Save the Date: Irrawaddy Dolphins and the Nat Geo Earth Day Run 2016

Have you ever seen one of these creatures? I haven't. In fact, this is the first time I've known that these species of dolphins even existed. And what's even more amazing (or alarming), is that these marsupials are found right here in our country! 

Irrawaddy Dolphins
(Source: http://www.fondationsegre.org)

These funny-looking, beak-less dolphins are Irrawaddy Dolphins, and they're found in the coastal areas of Southeast Asia. They're highly regarded and even considered sacred creatures by the Khmers. Had I known that they'd existed, I would have gone to check them out at a dolphin-watching eco tour while I was in Cambodia for their marathon. The good news is, I might still get a chance to see them, especially since they also have habitats in our very own strip of paradise, Palawan! The bad news is, there's a big chance that the irrawaddy dolphin species might soon disappear because they're accidentally getting trapped by fishing nets or illegally caught by poachers. :(

And this is where you can help. 

The National Geographic Channel Earth Day Run 2016 has teamed up with the folks from WWF (World Wildlife Fund) to bring more awareness to these creatures, as well as other worthy causes:

1) Oceans- Marine conservation in Apo Reef, Mindoro

2) Waters- Reforestation of the Ipo Watershed in Bulacan and Rizal

3) Climate Solutions- Building the Earth Hour village in Masbate

4) Species- Conservation of the Irrawaddy Dolphins in Malampaya Sound, Palawan

I'll be running for the dolphins, but you can choose which among the 4 causes you're willing to run 5K, 10K, 21K, or 42K for. :)

Jinoe of Takbo.ph

The men of WWF, Nat Geo, Takbo.ph, and host, Rico Robles.

This year's Nat Geo Run on April 17, 2016 will also be the day other countries join us in fighting for the environment.  The race will be held simultaneously in Hong Kong (Hong Kong), Shanghai (China), Singapore (Singapore), and Tai Chung (Taiwan) too. 

Hope to see you at the run with your eco-warrior faces on! Oh, and please do try to bring your own water bottles to reduce the amount of paper cups that will be used (and eventually end up in a landfill or oceans.) ;) 

EVENT: NAT GEO Earth Day RUn 2016
DATE: April 17, 2016
VENUE: Bonifacio Global City (Start for 21/42K)/McKinley West (Finish line for 21/42K)
WEBSITE: www.natgeoearthdayrun.com

GUN START:
42K- Assembly Time 11:00 P.M. (April 16)- Gunstart 12:00 MN
21K- Assembly Time 2:00 A.M.- Gun Start 3:00 A.M.
10K- Assembly Time 3:30 A.M.- Gun Start 4:30 A.M.
5K- Assembly Time 5:00 A.M.- Gun Start 6:00 A.M.

EVENT DISTANCES: 
5K, 10K, 21K, 42K

REGISTRATION FEE:
5K – Php 750
10K – Php 850

*5K and 10K fees are inclusive of singlet, race bib, RFID timing

21K – Php 1300
42K – Php 1700

*215K and 42K fees are inclusive of singlet, race bib, RFID timing, finisher shirt and finisher medal.

WHERE TO REGISTER:

On-site: Ground Floor, SM Aura (in front of Uniqlo & Forever 21) from March 1-31, 2016.

Online: Click here. 

Happy Sunday! ;)

From running through colors in Manila to calmness on the mat... Happy Sunday, everyone! ;) 

This little yogi was today's early bird at Beyond Yoga, SM Mall of Asia. So happy that a yoga studio finally opened in my neck of the woods. 

Namaste.