Thanks 2010; Cheers 2011

photo taken from Padre Burgos, Quezon

2010 wasn't the ideal year for me. I took some hard hitters that flurried without giving me any chance to fight back.

 I took some big falls and yes I fell hard.

I understand that it is not on the frequency and severity of the fall but the question remains wether to keep on staying down or to stand up. 

For the record, I chose to stand up, blow after blow.

Even if it was a rough ride, I'm still blessed, for these trials made me understood what friendship, family and faith really is.

I am very thankful to everyone. Words could not justify how thankful I am for the people around me have been a great part of my healing.

I appreciate the time spent, effort to listen and understanding.

These SIMPLE THINGS, deep inside made me smile.

special thanks to: my family especially to ate len, mom, dad, jp and raf whom listened to me when i acutely needed people to talk, to my jc neb family especially to rose, dino, caps, marc julia, kerwin, maine, rizza, pia, gab, janlo, to my college barkada cam, geng and yen, to the couple pix and khriz, to dra meg, angel, to nic/eunice, to my climber friends that make me realize that neverland totally exist k'gax, k'tom, nikolai, mr perfect body, k'jao, mr yao, ia, t'kat, k'beau et al, to my super rle mates bry, ai et al, to people down under to joyce and te'ara, to ms jbordon, ryan and bless, to te'ma'an, to mia, to my ninang rani, and pastor noel. and those not mentioned THANK YOU.

The new year is fast approaching and I'm looking forward to a year full of possibilities, hopes and blessings! 

Here are some things I'd like to do this 2011:

• Redeem the next 10% to reach a hundred - status quo: 90 :) refer to previous post Sound of Silence 

Lust For Lime 6

Video teaser of Lust for Lime 6 rocktrip from
Cantabaco, Cebu, Philippines.

Film and edit by Dennis Diaz 

Goo Goo Ga Ga Rock Trip

Here are some Great Monochromatic Captures by Dennis "Daddyo" Diaz and Xtian Guerrero from the recently concluded Goo Goo Ga Ga Rock Trip - Cagayan De Oro, Philippines. (December 2010)

Thanks Daddyo for letting me post these awesome pictures!

Christmas Sunburn: Beer, Booze, Beach and Boulder

Me and my uncle had our fair share of the life outside the busy city 2 days before Christmas. We had Red Horse, Quattro Kantos, White Sand, and Boulders for our selves for a day.

Borawan Island, Padre Burgos, Quezon, Philippines. - 23, December.

REPOST: If Climbing is a Religion by Bidz Dela Cruz (2010)

a literary work by a climber and good friend 
Bidz Dela Cruz

Bidz Dela Cruz, my good friend 

g If Climbing is a Religion
g By Bidz Dela Cruz 2010 
    

g If Rock Climbing is a religion, then having non-calloused hands is a sin. Swimming everyday would 
g have some negative karmic influences on your spiritual growth. A backslide would happen if you start 
g abstaining from visiting the sacred place of wall climbing gyms and rock altars of the outdoors. And 
g given the small community of rock climbers in the country, it would be a cult in the Philippines. The 
g pastors would be the gym instructors and if your spiritual growth is stagnant, either you are not 
g listening to their sermons or your pastor is lazy enough to teach you the way of climbing more 
g divinely. The latter somehow is a bit natural in other wall climbing churches where the pastor is way
g past his prime years or is insecure that you’ll spiritually mature fast and replace his post as a climbing 
g pastor.
   

Bladerunner

   Here are some shots from the Atimonan, Quezon "biglaan" rock trip Thanks to the personal invite of Pastor Noel. 

The name of the route is Bladerunner a classic 6b climb. 

All shots were taken by Nary Blaquera, my dad, using Olympus Tough 8010 camera. 

                                     

Sound of Silence

If you have noticed I stopped blogging for a long while...


For I just came from a tragic break-up with my 5 year girlfriend, one that must not be named. 

climbing side by side Mr. Gerry Ulanday - former national climbing champion, Philippines shot taken by Leslie Regio

FOR SALE: brand new size 6UK/7US ANASAZI VCS

FOR SALE: brand new size 6UK/7US ANASAZI VCS rock climbing shoes, message me if interested. THANK YOU :)

The pricing in dollars would be at US$139.95/PR but i just got it in philippine peso worth 4,500 it wouldn't fit the original buyer's (kuya Jao's) foot so 4,500 ko na lang din ibenta :) Salamat!

I'll be bringing the climbing shoes at the National's Bouldering Comp this coming Saturday and Sunday, Manila Ocean Park (November 6 - 7, 2010)

THANK YOU!

CLIMBING ORDER FOR QUALIFYING ROUND 2010 Manila Ocean Park National Bouldering Competition

POSTED BY: Crissie Malay 
to all guests of 2010 Manila Ocean Park National Bouldering Competition


Late Registrants will be placed last in this list. :o)


CLIMBING ORDER:
Women's Novice
1 Chay Feleo (1995)
2 Natalia Baltao (1995)
3 Blanche Ladera
4 Preciosa Derain
5 Alida Lejano
6 Ia Lapid
7 Kristia Sibal
8 Aika Yamashita (1995)

Philippine Climbing Event: Goo Goo Ga Ga Rock Trip

According to http://climbphilippines.com/

By Ina on September 23, 2010

A bouldering rock trip in Cagayan de Oro on December 11-12, 2010.

Registration fee to cover lodging, daily transportation from the hotel to the crag, and of course, a party on the last day!

More details to follow. Check back again soon!

Philippine Climbing Event: the sixth LUST FOR LIME

Philippine Climbing Event: 2010 Manila Ocean Park National Bouldering Competition

                                                  

Time	Friday, November 5 at 6:00pm - November 7 at 12:00am
Location	Manila Ocean Park Grounds
Created By	Crissie Malay

Hello Climbers!!!

The 2010 Manila Ocean Park National Bouldering Competition is set. The event organizers and SCAPI has been working together to ensure a safe and exciting competition this year. Your ranking for this competition will bear greatly for your selection into the national team.

For the first time, climbing is declared as a medal sport in the SEA Games later in the next year. We're working harder to make sure our national team will get the support that they need.

HERE ARE THE DETAILS OF THE 2010 MANILA OCEAN PARK NATIONAL BOULDERING CHAMPIONSHIPS:

DATE: NOVEMBER 5 - 7, 2010

VENUE: MANILA OCEAN PARK GROUNDS (http://www.manilaoceanpark

.com/)

NEW BABIES

my cousin, joepete, and i are so excited about our new rock climbing gear - the new babies. 

our latest addition to our collection are two pairs of shoes, one that came from the US and the other from HK, the models are Evolv Optimus *slip-on and Anasazi Lace-up respectively. 

before anything else, i would like to thank Rafael Nite and Nikolai Buted for bringing these great gear closer to our hearts, without them we are nothing and the love of these worthy owners (kelly and jp) wouldn't be felt by these climbing shoes  - ok wtf enough with cheesy lines and ass kissing. any way fuck it. lol hahah

EXODUS (my climbing history)

Way back year 2007, my godmother, Irene Castillo, introduced climbing to me.  My first climbing experience was on that summer just after the April – Holy week, were in my cousin, James Evan Perez, and I enrolled on a summer course – of intro to climbing at Power Up Tandang Sora (locally called “TS”).  

I admit I am one cowardly bastard back then. I am afraid of heights, afraid to take risks, afraid of failure, afraid of getting an accident and yes afraid of the unknown. It really sucks to concede to that fact, but yes, redundant may it seem, the key word is afraid.

The first thing we did in TS was to fill-up a form and sign a “consent of doom” = a waiver, that is. I did it for the two of us since my cousin was still a minor back then. After which, harness was strapped on, snuggly fit shoes was chosen then we’re ready for battle.

THIS GOT TO HURT (about the author)

i'm gene kelly p. blaquera stands 5 feet 7 inches tall and weights about roughly 200 pounds. if you get my BMI it is about 31.4 and that number means i'm obese, either type 1 or what have you. i am a medical student and i have a sedentary lifestyle. my daily caloric needs for my current resting state is about 2019 kcal. 

 taken april '10 spelunking at sagada, philippines

also, i had my condition checked last june and the results were drastic! 

my total blood fats (cholesterol) is a hundred above the normal value, and my LDL (bad cholesterol) is ninety above the normal value and it doesn't simply stop there. other significant results were a huge increase in my SGOT/SGPT (liver enzymes) and yes even my uric acid (this might explain my joint pains) - the aforementioned could be a shout out of my liver and kidneys "hey kid we are dying".

after further testing - my abdominal ultrasound came out and i'm positive of having fatty liver. so ok, this is really getting serious. but it won't get as life-threatening-serious since this is not the irreversible-alcohol induced type. 

i did some of my homework, lost some pounds, neutralized some stuff and yes i did diet, but eventually i failed. failed-enough to get me sad and get back to the old 200 pounder.