All is happier!

I gained 14,751 steps in my iPod’s embedded pedometer last Sunday. It told me I have the most number of steps ever since I started counting them.

     

I also spent a total of 1,729 pesos for that day alone. My fat wallet literally lose weight.

Despite wobbly legs and thin wallet, Sunday was indeed a compendium of events worth joining and tasks worth accomplishing.

Let’s recount and account.

Run United for Wellness (5,277 Steps, 300 Pesos)

I woke up at exactly 4:00AM in my watch. After taking a short bath, fitting my running outfits, slipping my LunarGlide shoes, and drinking a bottle of Gatorade (35 pesos), I headed to the Bonifacio Global City (180 pesos) to enjoy the cool breeze and torture my lower limbs at the running event, Run United for Wellness.

There were thousands of runners–some same old faces. My sister Kristine who works for UniLab–the main organizer for the event–was there taking the 3KM stint; Jewel and I, on the other hand, for 5KM. I also met Atet Ocampo, a PAGCOR officer, who ran the 10KM distance. My good mate Cholo was also there for 10KM, but nowhere on sight.

I just got there to run and compete with my notorious running time for 5KM. It’s a short distance for people who already enjoys running for months, like me. But I’ve got to get my target time for sure. And I won’t blame my lack of time to practice longer distances.

I was back in Manila around 8:00AM and I hardly carried the so many giveaways the running events provided. The looming heat of Sunday morning plus all the sweat I gained made me clammy and sticky like a rubber stopper. I stopped by at Sinangag Express for the best Adsilog (85 pesos) before going home.

Cloudy with Chance of Meatballs 3D (2,824 Steps, 680 Pesos)

I was able to wash some of my office uniforms and completed watching the last 30 minutes of “The Box” movie over my iPod before taking the necessary long cold bath to battle the clamminess. Staying in a non-airconditioned place for that time of day would only make bathing worthless.

So I took a cab (90 pesos) and headed to SM Mall of Asia where I would meet Jen for a movie at 5:00PM. Looking at my watch, it was just lunch time. I went to Kitaro Restaurant for a Chicken Teriyaki bento and a very cold Coke–just right to suffice my noon heat and hunger (200 pesos).

By 12:30PM, I headed to the IMAX Theater and bought a ticket (350 pesos plus water for 20 pesos) for 12:45 sched of the movie, “Cloudy with Chance of Meatballs.” The instict to buy the ticket was thoughtless but heartful. I have good reviews and I cannot let myself pass that good movie. And I was right. I enjoyed every bit.

Alice in Wonderland 3D (4,120 steps, 235 Pesos)

I hardly go to SM MOA and since I still have two-plus hours to wait for Jen, I roamed around and delighted my eyes for running items I definitely wouldn’t buy at that moment. I peeked in at Sports Central, Nike Park, Adidas and Mizuno Stores only to find myself handcuffed so as to avoid compulsive buying.

Back to my senses by 3:30PM, as my stomach ground, I headed to Chef D’Angelo Restaurant for a carbo-loaded snacks (175 pesos).

Additional steps were made when I had to go to SM Cinema to buy movie tickets (I won’t account this expense because it’s actually Jen’s treat; she’d have to pay me).

We finally met passed 4:30PM at MOA’s entrance then immediately headed to SM Cinema 4 to enjoy ourselves watching “Alice in Wonderland.” There were so many people lined up for the movie. She immediately fell on the line while I took our snacks at the counter (60 pesos).

The movie was phenomenal.

1st Philippine Pyromusical Competition (2,530Steps, 514 pesos)

The sun already sank in Manila Bay and were not yet done. We were supposed to have dinner somewhere else when Jen suggested we watch the 1st Philippine Pyromusical Competition. I hesitated at first but I cannot denied my passion to seeing (even handling) pyrotechniques. Thankfully, I gave in.

We tried to find the best seats over several restaurants bayside. Most were jampacked as eager people were waiting for the night sky to sparkle.

We ended up at Gweilo restaurant were the price of the ticket for the competition was as good as our dinner plates (500 pesos/pax so that only accounts my dinner expense). Humidity and the night heat made us order lots of iced teas and mango shakes.

It was the 4th week of the competition. Scheduled competing countries to showcase their crafts were Malaysia and Singapore. I loved the presentation of Singapore as there was no dull moment and their fireworks display filled my entire sight.

Lights galore!

In the End…

More than events or tasks, it’s a life worth celebrating.