Jinoe

Nuffnang Featured Blogger for the month of October

Yeezzz!  I’m Nuffnang’s Blogger of the Month of October! Thank you, Nuffnang, for this feature. This is really my favorite month of the year (it’s his birth month – ed).

I started blogging in March 2005.  First, it was in Friendster and later moved to Wordpress as Manokan Express, www.manokan.wordpress.com.  The name came from my hometown, Bacolod, which is famous for its Manokan Country and of course the chicken inasal.  I used to blog about personal experiences at home, work, school, and hobbies.  Back then, I just write one blog in a month.


This prenup shot was taken in Pontevedra, a town south of Bacolod. I got married to Quennie last April 2009 after being together for 11 years.

In February 2006, I discovered running.  My plan was just to run a 10-kilometer race before I reach the age of 40.  But I got addicted and I joined as many races as I can that year.  I can’t explain what hooked me to running.  It could be the health benefits, the victory of conquering your limits or just the free water at the finish line.  My high school and college friends cannot understand how I could still manage a smile after running for more than one hour under the heat of the sun.  But after each race, I make it a point to blog about my run so I can preserve the experience of what we call the “runner’s high”. 


My first run last February 2006. Do I look fat? Quennie was with me only as a spectator back then. Now she is a runner and has completed a 21K half marathon.

In 2008, running started to pick up with more and more races happening almost every week.  My once a month blogging routine was definitely changed since I get to blog about my races and even my trainings almost every week.  You might think I got burned out with running and blogging at the same time.  Well, no. It even fuelled the passion as I met fellow running bloggers who eventually became running friends.  As a blogger in Manokan Express, they gave me my running alias, ManokanRunner.

Running in Baguio. One of the challenging routes with the steep hills and thin air.

Running in Boracay. I was told that it is best to experience running in Boracay with your singlets off. I did and it felt great. But I won’t be sharing my pics running topless in the beach.

Running in Bacolod. This is my most recent 21K run during the Milo Marathon – Bacolod Elimination Leg.

This prompted me to launch a dedicated blog on running, Takbo.ph.  I wanted to make a blog that will become a one-stop shop for runners with a complete list of running events, download features, and a community forum.  Part of the goal is to build an online community of runners to help promote the sport and where Filipino runners can encourage one another.  I never expected it to grow fast.  We had over 3,000 forum members after its one year anniversary last July and we continue to grow everyday. 

This was the first group run with Takbo.ph forum members at The Fort. More than 60 runners came. We don’t mind getting up as early as 4am to run.

Running friends always look for one another and stop by for a “class picture” after each race. This “class picture” was after running 21K at the Condura Run last February 2009. It was a unique race because it was the first time we get to run on the Skyway. No e-pass required.

Today, I blog almost daily at Takbo.ph to announce new developments in the running scene, to share my own running experiences, and to add some spice for runners by putting some humor and unique features to the blog.  Moving forward, the site now carries a responsibility to promote running to more people especially outside Manila. I’m looking forward to the day that Quennie and I will still be running side by side with our grandchildren. I want running to be very much active in the country.

Let me invite you to join the running community.  If a 3-year-old kid can finish a 3-kilometer run or if a 70-year-old can complete a full 42-kilometer marathon, you can run with us too.  You’d be surprised by what you can accomplish with running.  Visit www.takbo.ph and let us show you how to take the first step.

I love running.  I love Takbo.ph.

Jinoe
www.takbo.ph