Apart from Sports, my other passion is Tech. I’m no Computer Engineer, didn’t graduate from a Computer Science course, but I love reading and following technology. I own a Treo 680 and Treo 650, a Macbook, a Compaq laptop, I surf the Internet daily and read all news about Technology and Apple. And if you ask me–or any other guy who’s into tech–who the two greatest men are in this field, I’d answer, within a nanosecond, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs.
Vacation? After summer? Try Cagayan de Oro
I’ve talked about Boracay, posted write-ups, uploaded photos. To me, there’s no place in RP more beautiful than this island off the northern tip of Panay.
But there’s another spot–just as pretty, but more exhilarating–that I suggest you visit. From Cebu, it’s only a “sleep away” when you take Trans-Asia or Cebu Ferries. It’s the biggest city (together with Davao) south of Cebu. It has an SM mall, a LimKetKai mall, huge schools, millions of Bisaya-speaking neighbors, and, perfect for tourists who love adventure, it has WHITE-WATER RAFTING.
Dick and Rick Hoyt
One of the most inspiring stories I’ve read is the one of the father-and-son tandem of Dick and Rick Hoyt. Believe me, after reading their story and watching the video below, you’re sure to emerge either of the following: inspired, awakened, you’re wiping tears off your cheeks, you’re stirred off your chair, you want to hug your son or daughter or mom or dad, you’ll want to shout, “IT’S GREAT TO BE ALIVE!”First, read this article “Strongest Dad in the World,” written by one of the best American sportswriters, Rick Reilly (of Sports Illustrated). Then, watch this video…
Nadal blogs at the French Open
If you’re a fan of the two-time defending champion at Roland Garros–Rafael Nadal–or if you’d like to take a peek at what goes inside the daily schedule of one of the world’s most celebrated athletes, check this out…
More on this Paradise named Boracay…
Before our family vacationed in Boracay last week, my last visit to the island was in 2005. Then, I had three major complaints: First, the beach line was littered with garbage. Second, stray dogs ran amok and chased you everywhere. Third, “pump-boats” docked as they pleased, often right straight at you while you’re swimming on the beach.I’m happy to report good news: Boracay is cleaner, free of stray dogs, and the boats are no longer on the beach front.
White-Water Rafting in CDO
Last month, together with a few friends named Jourdan and Ronnie and Jingle and Steph, we got wet, our muscles ached, we starved for a few hours, swam, paddled, laughed, high-fived, and our hearts beat 168 times in 60 ticks as we did the one adventure that’s become more and more famous each year: Rafting in Cagayan de Oro. Enjoy this clip…
CDO Rafting from John Pages on Vimeo
Joke for the Day!
A 245-lb. man signed up for a weight loss program complete with a personal trainer. It included a run each morning at six. So when the doorbell rings the next morning, he’s ready. As he opens the door, he sees the most beautiful blonde he’s ever seen. Tall, well-endowed above a slim waist and long legs, she’s dressed in a pair of shorts that can barely contain her. She smiles and says, “If you can catch me, you can kiss me” and starts off at a fast run.
This continues each morning. After three frustrating weeks, the man gets in shape and can almost keep up with her. One day he’s barely able to touch her shorts but can’t hang on. Tomorrow will be the big day. He barely sleeps that night.
The next morning, the bell rings. He runs to the door and throws it open. There stands a huge burley woman, six-foot-five and 260 pounds. She’s muscled up like an ox and has a large wart amid her facial hair. She smiles and says, “I’m your new trainer. If I can catch you, I can kiss you!”
Wall-Climbing in MetroSports
If there’s one activity I recommend all parents convince their children to try, it’s this: Wall-Climbing.
At first, staring high up at the 21-foot climb, your eyes pop wide open, your heart pounds, and your palms sweat. You’re scared. And that’s OK. That’s normal. Aren’t we all scared trying anything for the first time? But after a few horizontal walks up the wall, you gain confidence. You smile. You say to your inner self, “I can do this!” And you do it.
R or R? In this City of P, the winner is T
The French Open—also known as “Roland Garros,” in honor of the heroic French aviator who braved the clouds during World War I—is the only tennis Grand Slam sortie played on clay. The U.S. and Australian Opens are on hard-court; Wimbledon is on grass. The difference?Clay is slow. On cement, the ball skids off the floor. On grass, it’s even speedier—the ball ricochets. Clay? The yellow ball bounces up… up…, then it floats… floats…
This makes the French Open special. The rallies prolong. Sweat drenches the sand. White socks turn brown. Muscles ache. Smiles disappear. Cries echo the air. On clay, if you’re flabby, if you haven’t jogged 16 kms. during training, if you’re unwilling to sprint for 4.5 hours, you’re out. Like the dust in the wind. Goodbye.
12th Gullas Cup Tennis Champions
Last May 19 to 23, Cebu held the biggest junior tennis event in the Visayas and Mindanao: The Gullas Tennis Cup. Now on its 12th year, the event attracted 216 entries of boys and girls aged as young as seven years old and as old as 21 years old. Thanks to the tennis-loving tandem of Congressman Eddie and Dodong Gullas, this event has thrived and smashed in Cebu!