Holy Week 2007

When I announced that I was moving to Baguio City after graduation from law school, many of my friends and relatives were worried that I'd get lonely not having my own set of friends and family there. Little did they know that because I lived in Baguio City, I was the favorite destination of friends and family alike. Almost every month, a friend from high school, college or law school comes to visit me. Since my parents retired, they have been staying with me for months at a time. This Holy Week, not only my parents were here but my brother Jojo, his wife Jing and their sons Joshua, Jacob and John also went up for the vacation. A day after my brother arrived, my brother-in-law John also arrived with his sons Carlo and Marco from Singapore. 3 male Makalintals + 2 male Cabatos (from John & Pinky) + 3 male Cabatos (from Joseph and me) = one wild and exciting vacation!

Going to the Gym....

Gym staff, instructors and some of our classmates

Joseph hitting the treadmill...

Grilled spareribs ala Joseph, with crispy skin! Yum!

For the past 10 months or so, I have been going to the gym. It started with the desire to lose weight and have something better to do with my mornings since I had to bring my kids to school early. It has now evolved into something else. A routine which I willingly subject myself to every morning. It was in July 2006 when I decided to enrol in a new gym at SM Baguio, Fitness Edge. It is located at the top floor of the mall with a panoramic view of Baguio City.

Prior to this, I have never exercised in my life.The idea of even walking a few blocks is daunting to me. Almost everyone thought that I would only last a week in the gym. :) To everyone's surprise, Ive been going to the gym practically everyday for the past 10 months and Im looking forward to doing it for a really really long time. What really got me hooked is this indoor cycling program called "spinning" which is a cardio workout. You ride on a stationary bike, cycle and follow the leader who is simulating cycling on several hills, with loud background music to egg you on. It lasts for 45 minutes and this is the best workout for me. For the first time in my life, I know what it is like to perspire!

After the first few days, I was able to convince Manang Edith, wife of my senior partner, to come and join me. A few weeks after that, my senior partner Atty. Jo started going as well. We hit the gym from 7-9 and we are in the office no later than 9 am. On days when we have hearings, we attend the spinning class and skip our resistance training.

What followed is an addiction! To sweat, loud music, sadist instructors, cute Nike and Adidas outfits, nice and friendly classmates and to the inevitable morning snack after! After a few months, we made some friends and we stayed on, largely because of the really great staff of the gym who relentlessly gives us support and encouragement.

Last January 2007, I was able to convince Joseph to go as well. At first, he was dragging his feet. Now, he's a regular spinning addict.... He goes everyday with me and even goes on his own even when I cannot. He is happy with the way it has changed his lifestyle and he has made new friends as well. So when the staff of Fitness Edge asked that Joseph cook for them his famous dishes, he didnt hesitate and we co-hosted a picnic for them with Atty. Jo and Manang Edith at Pinsao (our secret hideaway) .... Last Holy Thursday, we had our last hurrah with meat. And it was indeed a last hurrah.... Grilled spareribs, pinapaitan, embaliktad, ensalada, leche flan..... This is what we work out for.:)