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Nike Human Race 10K - 8 Days to Race Day!

The Nike Human Race 10k -- Represent the Philippines and Join a Million Runners for a worldwide 10 Kilometers run on August 31, 2008, Sunday!

I love Nike+ ever since it motivated me to run my first 42k Marathon. One of the things I love about it is that I can join any race virtually as long as I have my Nike+ to record my runs. One of the biggest virtual race will happen on August 31, 2008 -- The Nike Human Race 10k . I will be traveling during that time but I can still join this race! I will be running my 10k Human Race with the giraffes and zebras on 8/31/2008.

How to join The Nike Human Race 10K
1. Of course, you need to have a Nike+ Ipod Sport Kit or Nike+ Sportband to join the Human Race 10k on 8/31/2008.

OAP and NIKE GIFTS
For runners who are avid readers of OAP but don't have a Nike+ gadget, I'm giving away Five (5) Nike+ Sportbands. I will give the sportbands to the first 5 runners who commented on this post. (Note: The qualifier is you have to be a runner already and you have to join The Human Race 10K on Sunday 8/31/2008.

For the next 10 runners, I'll be giving away 20% discount off coupons when you purchase of Nike+ Sportband or Nike+ iPod Sport Kit (valid only until August 30, just before the race).

2. Register for the virtual Human Race 10K --> Nikeplus. Create your Nike+ Account and register for the virtual Human Race. Don't forget to join Team Philippines and select your charity (I selected the Lance Armstrong Foundation).

3. You can also register for FREE for the physical Human Race 10k organized by Coach Rio in Nike Park, Boni High Street. (Do it tomorrow, Sunday)

DATE: August 31, 2008, Sunday
TIME: Assembly Time 5:30 A.M. Start of Race 6:00 A.M.
VENUE: McKinley Hill, Bonifacio Global City
DISTANCE: 10km.
MAX PARTICIPANTS: 1,000 Runners
RACE KIT CLAIMING AREA: Nike Park, Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City
SPECIAL PRIZES: Finishers will receive Nike Drifit Socks and 4x6 photo courtesy of Photovendo after the race.FREE REGISTRATION

EMAIL: rio@runrio.com
CONTACT NUMBER: +63906 314 3807 | +63918 985 9211 | +632 3965170
CONTACT PERSON: COACH RIO DE LA CRUZ

4. Run on race day, 8/31/2008, Sunday and sync your Nike + afterwards.

Join me and other Filipino Runners for this one-of-a-kind 10k run on 8/31/08.

Text and Photos by Anton Diaz. Copyright 2008.

Choi Garden - A Chinese Restaurant Worth Raving About

Our family loves chinese food. On my father's birthday, I reserved this special chinese restaurant -- Choi Garden in Annapolis Greenhills. It is seldom that you hear a buzz on Chinese restaurants. Most people rave about Choi Garden because of the food prepared by their Hongkong Chef and the interesting interiors.

Choi Garden occupies the hole left by Country Waffles in Greenhills. It has two floors -- the first floor is for shabu shabu, while the second floor is for fine dining. For special occasions, better reserve the rooms on the 2nd floor. The first floor is for casual meetings and romantic dates. Better reserve to get the best seats in the house. I love the dramatic tunnel entrance, and the interesting chandelier lighting effects. The word "opium den" comes to mind (I don't know why) when I entered the first floor because of its bloody motif.

The specialties of the house are usually not found in the menu. Choi Garden is famous for their Pigeons (which you have to order in advance) and 3-way Lapu Lapu.

Choi Garden Pigeons (P350/ pigeon). I don't eat pigeons ever because usually it is oily and rubbery in texture. This is the first time I've eaten pigeons because it is a bit crispy without the oil. A must try in Choi Garden for special occasions.

3-way Lapu Lapu (P3,000). First, the lapu lapu is served in Miso Soup. We kept raving about how good the soup is. It tastes like Japanese miso soup and appears like Lapu Lapu sinigang with a smoother taste.

The second way is to steam the lapu lapu with brocolli. The fresh and soft taste of lapu lapu stands out. There is no need for seasoning. My mom kept raving about this!

Finally, the rest of the lapu lapu is cooked adobo style in hot pot with tofu. This one got mixed reaction because it was mixed with meat and adobo sauce was super thick.

West Side Story Complete List of Direct Show Buyers

One of the greatest lessons I learned from my PSI experience, is the principle of "Scoring as many points as possible without hindering the chances of other people to score points." Ok, this is a bit vague. Let me give an example by applying the principle to selling West Side Story tickets. I know I've been promoting our Sept. 6, 8pm West Side Story tickets for weeks now. I'm also promoting Minnie's Sept. 5 Opening Night show. But what about the rest? I'm really promoting the entire West Side Story and I would like to share with you the rest of the contact numbers for the other shows.

The frequently asked question about West Side Story is when will Joanna Ampil perform? Nobody knows except the people from Stages. This is also to protect the show buyers. There are theories that Joanna Ampil will perform on opening nights since it is a tradition in the theater that the senior actress are given priority on opening nights. But this is not confirmed.

Also, please buy directly from the West Side Story Show Buyers for them to maximize their profits. Most of them have charity institutions or foundations as beneficiary for their West Side Story sponsored show. Of course, we would love it if you buy your West Side Story tickets from us.

WEST SIDE STORY 2008 SHOW DATES | SHOW BUYERS | CONTACT INFO.
Sept. 5 Friday 8pm | Minnie Fong | +639178676332 minnie_fong@yahoo.com
Sept. 6 Saturday 3pm | CBN Asia | +632 8124747
Sept. 6 Saturday 8pm | Our Awesome Planet : Anton Diaz +63917 5683627 anton@diaz.ph
Sept. 7 Sunday 3:30pm | Catherine Zobel | Contact Angie: +63 9178981419 + 632 8438472 +632 7572984
Sept.12 Friday 8pm | Timothy Liong | +639178735405 tliong@jnjph.jnj.com
Sept. 13 Saturday 3pm | Justice Raoul Victorino | +632 5529510 +63 9209389429 raoulvictorino@yahoo.com
Sept. 13 Saturday 8pm | Marc Ong / Ria Buenafe | +63 9209623918 +63 9175349437 bauerpb@yahoo.com rrbuenafe@yahoo.com
Sept.14 Sunday 3:30pm | Marissa Saba | +639178637770
Sept. 19 Friday 8pm | SM-Contact Imee Aquino | +632 8349565
Sept. 20 Saturday 3pm | Christopher De Venecia | +63 9178908633 imcalledtoffee@mac.com
Sept. 20 Saturday 8pm | Benjamin Chua | +63 9209704089 alexander_martos@yahoo.com
Sept. 21 Sunday 3:30pm | Williamson Nocom | +632 4008716 +63 9228994647 williamson@pldtdsl.net w_nocom@yahoo.com
Oct. 3 Friday 8pm | Bruno Omlin/Khaki Delos Reyes/Evita Bunyi | +639167179186 +639184216565 +639052969055 bfo@gmx.ch
Oct. 4 Saturday 3pm | 49 Polaris Productions Co. (Contact Emily Kho) | +639177956397
Oct. 4 Saturday 8pm | Mike Luakian / JayDuran | 
Oct. 5 Sunday 3:30pm | FILHARMONIKA
Oct. 10 Friday 8pm | Big Pounder Entertainment 
Oct. 11 Saturday 3pm |
Oct. 11 Saturday 8pm | Karylle Tatlonghari | k3hari@gmail.com
Oct. 12 Sunday 3:30pm | STAGES OWNED

Text and Photos by Anton Diaz. Copyright 2008.

Related Posts:
West Side Story Manila - 10 Things You Should Know Before Going on a West Side Story Romantic Date
The Most Romantic or Tragic Love Story Ever Blogged

JT's and Rocci's @ The Zone

If you have been playing badminton in the Zone area, then you would have noticed the newly opened Makati outlet of JT's Manukan. After eating inasal, you can hop on to Rocci's coffee and chocolate cafe beside it. Bacolod Chicken Inasal Express is still the best versus the commercialized version of JT Manukan. Since JT Manukan has an open kitchen, just notice that all the chicken are half-cooked already. This makes the chicken dry versus grilling the chicken raw. It is still a good alternative specially if you want to taste other Bacolod treats like Kansi and Batchoy.

Pecho (Chicken Breast with Wings) P88 or Paa (Chicken Legs with Thigh) P85 + Rice (P20)


Kansi (ilonggo Version of Bulalo) - P110. A bit more oily than your usual bulalo.

JT Manukan's Main Dishes and Side Orders | Beverages and Pasalubong Items

JT Manukan Grille
The Zone, 7224 Malugay Street Corner Gil Puyat Avenue Bel-Air, Makati
Telephone +632 8130106

Mindanao Road Trip : Cagayan de Oro to Dipolog City

Thanks for all those who shared tips on Bohol. Watch out for the ultimate guide on Bohol probably by end of the month.

I need your help again. I'm planning on a Mindanao Road Trip from Cagayan de Oro - Iligan City to Marine Oriental Aquamarine Park to Oroquieta, Ozamis City to Dapitan (Dakak) and finally to Dipolog City. These are a lot of towns to cover and I'm hoping to create an ultimate guide to those places. Any secret tips or must see places that we shouldn't miss?

Text and Photos by Anton Diaz. Copyright 2008.

The Most Romantic or Tragic Love Story Ever Blogged

A West Side Story Contest

Related Posts:
West Side Story Manila - 10 Things You Should Know Before Going on a West Side Story Romantic Date
West Side Story Complete List of Direct Show Buyers

West Side Story is one of the most popular storylines based on William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Two feuding street gangs – the Jets and the Sharks – are on a collision course in the gritty slums of New York City. Out of the chaos, a passionate romance blooms between Tony and Maria, teenagers caught on opposite sides of the turf war. But can they find a place for their love amid the prejudice and turmoil that surrounds them?

Rache and I were wondering what is the most romantic or tragic love story ever blogged in the Philippines?

Two winners with the following prizes:
OAP's Choice (P4,400 Prize)
Two (2) Orchestra Center Tickets (P2,400 worth) to the Sept. 6, Saturday Opening Night of West Side Story
One (1) P2,000 Gift Certificate in Alchemy (Manila's Only 3 Floor Euro Superclub)

Mrs OAP's Choice (P 3,400 Prize)
Two (2) Orchestra Center Tickets (P2,400 worth) to the Sept. 5, Friday Opening Night of West Side Story
One (1) P1,000 Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Gift Certificate


I'll start first. Rache and I met in college in 1991. We were classmates during our first year. We both took up the same Engineering course. During our time, there were only a handful of ladies that would take up Electronics and Communications Engineering.

When I saw Rache the first time, I instantly had a crush on her. I came from an exclusive all-boys school and I was focused on my studies only. So, the only courting technique I was familiar was called: "Style Ninja". (Not sure if this style is still relevant these days) This style ensures that I am not rejected outright but I have the opportunity to get to know my crush better. Basically, my goal was to become part of my crush's circle of friends. This way, I would have numerous occasion to be with her and get to know her more. My immediate goal was to become her confidant. We often meet in the Library for study sessions and I would tutor her on some subjects. All of this, under the disguise of being a concerned good friend instead of an admirer. It is a level above being torpe.

The style Ninja did not work for me during the first two years of college. We had separate relationships while in college. Eventually, we had our different group of friends and we got busy with our own school acitivites. At the same time, we have different cultural backgrounds -- a very pinoy family and a traditional chinese family. After graduation in 1995, we were both busy already with our respective love life and careers.

Secrets of PAL NAIA Terminal 2

Set A - Kaya Toast Set (P175). 2 Slices of Kaya Toast with Butter, Hot Coffee, 2 soft-boiled eggs.

I love flying via PAL in NAIA Terminal 2. It is the only place where you can find the best and original Kaya Toast and the best Arrozcaldo in Manila for FREE.

I've been addicted to Kaya, a singaporean local spread of egg and coconut. Like Frozen Yogurt, I've been tracking down all the places that serve it. Just check out all my posts about Kaya, :
My Kaya Addiction
Kopi Roti Love!
Toast Box opens in Trinoma!
Heads or Tails - a new kaya place in Mall of Asia
Old World Kopitiam, Banaue
[Singapore #1] Makan Food Trip - My Top 10 Favorites!

Ya Kun Kaya Toast Menu | The History of Ya Kun

The best of them all is the original Ya Kun Kaya Toast of Singapore. Their one and only outlet is in NAIA terminal 2. Finally, Loi Ah Koon's coffee stall since 1944 has reached the shores of Manila after 64 years. The only downside is the Ya Kun price is almost double versus the local Kopi Roti since it is located in the airport. One cost saving tip: if you don't like to eat raw soft boiled egg, just order the coffee and Ya Kun kaya separately. This should cost only P150 versus the set meal of P175. ( I think eating soft boiled eggs is a chinese / Singapore thing.)

Spicy Fingers Laffamania

Related Posts: The Comedy Cartel - The Best Stand-Up Comedy Act in Manila!

Your Monday Nights will never be the same with Laffamania @ Spicy Fingers in Greenbelt 2. The show starts promptly at 8pm with entrance fee of P150. Better reserve a table with Spicy Fingers and be there by 7pm. The food is OK and nothing to rave about. Don't bother to ask recommendations from the waiters because they would often say, "Lahat po sa menu ay masarap." That is one sign of either the waiters are not trained very well (and have not tasted the food yet) or there is nothing remarkable about the food. Better check out the menu already and order based on your personal preference. Budget P500/ head for your Spicy Fingers dinner.

Spicy Fingers Menu:
Starters & Soup | Pasta, Burger Platter, Sandwiches | Specials Grill and Steaks | Spicy Fingers Snack Menu | Desserts | Spicy Fingers Drinks List #1 | Spicy Fingers Drinks List #2

Tim Tayag @ Laffamania in Spicy Fingers.

Tim started performing stand-up comedy in 1997 in a little cafe in San Francisco. In a few years, he developed his act and showcased it in world famous comedy clubs such as Punch Line and Cobb's where famous comics like Robin Williams, Chris Rock and Drew Carey took their first comedy steps.

In 2002, Tim decided to go back to the Philippines and share his style of comedy with Filipinos. (Hooray! We should always celebrate when Filipinos decide to go back to the Philppines :)

Mike Unson @ Laffamania in Spicy Fingers

Mike first started with an improv theater group Big Bang Cheery, and once the bang fizzled out, he moved on to going solo. From there, he's opened for Rex Navarette on numerous occasions during his Philippine tour of duty, and even taught Stand-up comedy courses at the Ateneo law school in Rockwell. His next big break was when he performed in "Jojo A. All the Way" and "Men's Room" on Channel 23. In 2005, Mike out-laughed his contemporaries at a stand-up comedy stand-off, to take home the grand prize.