San Francisco

I just love San Francisco. The vibe, the places, the shopping and especially the people. This is my comfort city. I can practically live here and just get soaked up with all the positive vibe of the city.

Here's my list of where I was during my weeklong stay.

Special mention to my good buddy Edwin for the accommodations.

-Roe bar on 3rd St.
- Chaya along Embarcadero
- Zebulon
- Tanforan
- Broadway
- Impala
- Showgirls ( for gents)
- Centerfold
- Bubble Lounge
- Osha ( Thai food)
- Farmer Brown
- The Chieftain Irish Bar
- Cheesecake Factory
- Castro
- Heaven's Dog

Running all over the world

When were training for the Dream Marathon and running alongside Jim Lafferty, he told us that the best way to go around a country is to run and explore and enjoy the sights. So even after the marathon and having certified ourselves as finishers, running has not only been a sport to us but a lifestyle.  Everywhere we go, we savored, enjoyed and get inspired with all the places we see, all these while enjoying our run.  Truly, the Dream Marathon paved the way and encouraged us more to embrace running wherever we are. 

The Star Princess 

The Star Princess is a travelling luxurious ship with a touch and feel of a luxury hotel.  Anything you want to do, Princess has it.  Heck, there are even passengers who stay here longer than their actual homes in a calendar year.  

It's easy to be captivated by the charm of this wonderful ship.  It has all the amenities of a 5 star hotel.  Large pools, multiple theaters, bars, activity room, several dining areas, music room, game room, gym, and any other amenity your heart desires.  So, while waiting for your arrival from port to port, you can actually experience all these to all your contentment and guilty pleasures.  There is always something to do and explore in the Princess.  Or as their slogan goes, it a experience where you "escape completely".

But perhaps the main asset of Princess does not lie on it's amenities but in it's heart and very soul --- it's staff and crew.   I have never seen such genuine and sincere service like this.  I met real people who are willing to serve and really enjoy what their doing.  Some of the crew who i will hold dear to me include: Oelena, our head server in the Capri Dining room.  Very efficient and really took good care of us as if we were her family. There's also Oscar the maitre 'd, who always saw to it that we were always accommodated.  I cannot ever forget the pianist in the Explorers'  lounge Mr. David Moore. He's not just an exceptional pianist and musician but a very funny chap as well.  His sense of humor and comedic timing is very impressive.  He became our regular nightcap.  Our room attendant Patrick did a very good job in tidying our room and always attending to our needs. Then of course,  I would like to mention my dear "kababayans": Arthur, Addy, JP and the rest of the Filipino crew.  I never felt so away from home because of all of you and for making our country proud.  There are still more that I could not mention but generally every crew member made my stay special.  

It's not just a ship or a luxury boat.  It's something more.  Something with a heart and soul that belongs to it's staff and crew that makes your trip memorable and something ti cherish forever.

Our Dream Marathon

TBR DREAM STORIES:  Gari  Tiongco   BIB  no. 267

                                      Gene Tiongco   BIB  no. 268

                                      Greg Tiongco    BIB  no. 269

                                      Bryan Ermac    BIB   no. 102

                                      Lynette Ermac  BIB  no. 103

                                      Warren Ermac   BIB  no. 104

Our Dream Marathon

 

 

            To write about my first marathon, I have to write about how I began running in the first place. And to write about how I started to run, I have to write about the people I run with.  To mention myself, I have to mention my co-runners.  This is my story and most probably our story.  This is after all, a family story.

 

            We are a group of 6, 30-something year old runners.  Yes, we are all related as we are cousins.  We are made up of 3 brothers (Gari, me, Greg_, 2 brothers (Warren and Bryan) and  Lynette ( Bran’s wife).   Our running story is nothing extra-ordinary.  We started in 2008, joining 5K runs and feeling so exhausted after.  But we kept on running and so did our love affair with running blossomed.  We turned to each other for support and encouragement.  We even started following thebullrunner.comin mid 2008.  5k runs turned into 10ks then we moved to 15ks and finally 21ks.     We were happy with all  the 21Ks that we entered and never mindful of the time, but as long as we all finished, that was our ultimate goal.  When word got out of the TBR Dream Marathon, we did not hesitate to join.  We all prayed and hoped that all 6 of us will be included.  And as fate would have it, we all made the list.

 

            The training preparations came and we followed the training plan  to the hilt.  Sacrifices were made as we skipped our weekend night outs and parties to prepare for our long runs.  We limited our alcohol consumption as well.  We ran in UP, Tagaytay, Greenhills and even in Nuvali all for the sake of training and, yes, for the love of running.  Even as some of us were abroad or on vacation, the mentality of having long runs stuck as no one deviated from the training plan.  We even had a uniform done for the race.   More than the long runs, it was moments like these that draw us closer together and as we ran we talked about life, our children, our country and everything else.  These made us closer and eventually accountable for each other.  This is where we all felt the value of togetherness and what a team is all about. We learned to value each other. It was all about support and complimenting each other and of course bringing out the best in each one.

 

            The night before the run, we all slept in one house as we mapped out the course and check all the necessary things for the run.  We planned our pace.  We all vowed to look out for each other even as we finish with different times.  We were each others’ strength  and compliment. This was not just about being runners, it was about being family.

 

            The day of the run came and as we cheered with Jaymie and Jim that we will be marathoners by lunch time, we knew that whatever happens, we will savor and enjoy the moment….together. 

 

            The route was perfect.  Whenever we pass by other dream marathoners we could only hear words of encouragement and compliments. We ran strong and smart. When we reached the 33K mark, then our obstacles and trials came.  One of us had severe cramps, and as we reached out to help, he encouraged us to just run and never let go of our dream of finishing a marathon.  With the help of the dream chasers, he was able to run back. We were tired, cramped and the heat was already torching us, but we encouraged each other and as we ran our own pace the last 8 kilometers, we know that at the finish line we will all be waiting for each other.  Aside from the training we had, it was our support for each other that provided the strength for us to finish.  As the finish line was near,  we were all rewarded with the most precious prize of all: our families waiting for us, our proud dad, our loving wives and sweet kids were at the finish line waving banners and cheering us on.  It was like coming home to the sweet comforts of the family.  This was the most inspiring moment for us.

 

            When the last member of our team arrived, we all hugged each other and smiled and proudly proclaimed that we were all finishers.  It wasn’t about the time we finished it anymore,  it was all about having each other finish.  More than that, we realized that even in times of trials and a long journey, we have each other…. all the time.

 

            Thank you  Jaymie, Jim, Atty. Raymond and the TBR team for providing us this memorable experience and making dreams come true..  For making us realize the value of togetherness and family.  And yes,  we will all pay it forward on the next Dream Marathon.

 

                                                                                                       Gene

 

       MY 42

I have been asked a lot about why I joined the marathon and have heard doubts about me  finishing it.  People might think I’m crazy or really insane ( as is the case of insanity really running in the family). Some even might think that I try too hard to be an athlete, given my limitations and shortcomings. Maybe it’s all true and maybe there is more to it.  I joined the marathon because I want to triumph.  I want to transform all the faith and belief in myself into one simple personal victory.  I’m in it because I believe I can.  I will enjoy all the steps and the journey as I try to reach the finish line.  In a way, running this marathon, mirrors what my life or probably what life is all about.  And as long as we take note of the journey and simply enjoy the run, we reach the destination with much more sense of accomplishment. 

As, I try to run all 42K (42.196 K to be exact),  I have decided to  focus on 42 thoughts that will make this journey a run to remember.  Here is my 42:

 

1.     I will  run for myself.  Call it midlife crisis if you will, but this is an opportunity to showcase that even at this stage of my life, it is still possible, and maybe I still have my mojo. This is personal.

2.     I will run for Anne.  This run is dedicated to my ever-loving and supportive wife.  Even as she is in better shape than I am, I know she believes, I can do it.

3.     I will run for Geri and Dino.  My children who in their sweet and innocent eyes, I can do no wrong.

4.     I will run for Dad and Mom, unconditionally.

5.     I will run for Gt and Greg ( and their lovely wives and children as well)

6.     I will run for the Tiongco Episode 42K team ( Gt, Greg, Warren, Bryan and Lynette).  It was a memorable training the last 4 months, all the encouragement and faith between the 6 of us always keep me going.  Thanks for the bond that we will all share for the rest of our lives.

7.     I will run for the love of running.  The sport that I now so very love and learned to respect.

8.     I will run for Uncle Alex an Uncle Ting.  My two “crazy” uncles.

9.     I will run for Wowo and Wawa, Lolo, my brother Glen, Uncle Zimo, Auntie Bing and all the loved ones, I lost along the way.

10. I will run for my in-laws.  (This is mandatory, hehehe)

11. I will run for the Tiongcos and San Juans.  Never to let the name down and make it proud.

12. I will run for the Ateneo

13. And of course for La Salle

14. I will run for the love of Surgery, especially Plastic Surgery.

15. I will run for Operation Smile and Smile Train – my advocacies and wherein I am a volunteer.  For changing the world, one smile at a time.

16. I will run for Davao – my homeland

17. I will run for the love of country.  For unity.

18. I will run for beer.  A cold one. Make it a case.

19. I will run for the Philippine General Hospital.  The place where I was humbled and to quote a famous surgeon (Dr. Ting Tiongco): where my ideals and outlook were “raped”

20.  I will run for my mentors.  My teachers, professors and even my tormentors. For their patience and belief.

21. I will run for Joenard Isip, my very first patient in PGH.  Who later on passed away.  This one is for you.  Rest in peace.

22.  I will run for Dad, Uncle Ting, Uncle Alex, Uncle Oca and Uncle Boyos as well as their Botaks, Sauconys, 26 miler shorts, etc.  They paved the way to this race.  They are the honorary founders of Tiongco Episode 42 team.

23.  I will run for those who have failed but got up and fought back, learned and eventually succeeded.  This is and always will be the story of my life.

24.  I will run for Senor San Jose – our patron Saint

25. I will run for Our Mother of Perpetual Help, of which I am a devotee

26.  I will run for my friends.  Those in Davao, from La Salle, in Med School, in Surgery and everyone else for all the good times and the value of loyalty is always treasured.

27. I will run for Noy.  Of which I am his staunchest critic.  May you prove me wrong and lead us to a better tomorrow.

28.  I will run for the Boston Celtics.  Win or lose, I will always be a fan.

29.  I will run for my detractors.  The person whom you refer to as too slow, too short, overweight and everything else is on his way to finishing 42 kms.  Eat your heart s out!

30. I will run for my "brothers" Paul Castillo and Karl Reyes, my batchmates and extended family in Surgery.  Who taught me the value of resiliency and togetherness. I survived residency because of them.

31. I will run for the household helps, drivers, the boys.  For all their collective efforts, they made this run possible as well.  This is for appreciation.

32. I will run for the sake of the good times.  Memories always bring back the enthusiasm and the smile.

33. I will run for all those unnamed people who I met along the way, who brought a smile or a tear in me.  Thanks for making me grow as a person.

34. I will run for Derek Redmond, a virtual nobody, finished last in an Olympic event, but went on to finish the race, inspite of all his setbacks.  May his spirit inspire me during the race.

35.  I will run for my adversaries.  Without them, I would be a lesser individual, because of them, I gained the strength.

36.  I will run for Pandora, Tom, Gloria, Bobo, Courtney, Georgy, Shaq, Barkley and Rock. And all our other pets.  Thanks for the company.

37.  I will run for the future runners.  I will try to set an example.  Let them respect the sport and run with passion as much as I did.

38. I will run for Haruka Murakami, whose book on running I diligently followed and read over and over again.  May I also come up with my own “What I talk about when I talk about running”.

39. I will run for all my patients.  For the opportunity to serve and somehow make their lives a little better.

40. I will run for all my dreams.  Whether it’s realistic or not, there is nothing wrong with dreaming.

41. I will run for all the heroes in my life.  May their acts always continue to inspire me.

42. I will run for the Lord, Jesus Christ.  42K is nothing compared to what He has sacrificed for us.  This is not a penance, but an offering. This is for thanksgiving.

This list of 42, will always be on my mind and will help me enjoy the journey.

Determination, discipline and dedication.  In the end, it’s not about the time it will take to finish this race.  It’s all about our own personal triumph. It’s about conquering and finishing.  Such as that a marathon is a metaphor to life. This is the spirit of the marathon.

My Longest Run

My longest run so far. After training for 3 months, I had my longest run ( 32K 4:42:51) last April 24, 2010 in UP campus.  Started really early and eventually the heat started to beat the shit out of me.  Nevertheless, my fighting spirit never wavered and I continued running.  Never running on empty.  I can do this.  2 weeks to go before the big 42K day.

On to my first marathon!

Finally.  The date is set.  May 22, 2010.  First full marathon.  Training starts now!