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Published: October 8th 2007
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Sunset at UP Los Banos
Afternoon sun at UP Los Banos The rain was continuous, threatening to become stronger and storm signal no. 1 was up in Metro Manila. To go or not to go
Dennis wanted to race and got registered in the National Age Group Triathlon (NAGT) University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) leg but the sky was dark and raining when we woke up that day. He called up the organizers and was told that the race would go on - we wondered why??? Manila was experiencing storm signal no.1, so maybe it wasn't raining at all in Laguna. Dennis decided that we must go, so we prepared for the race and good thing the race would start at 3pm. This was unusual - starting race is 3pm. Usually, by 3pm, the sun is hot and the heat from the sun makes one become sweaty and exhausted much faster. Also, one might finish by 6pm or beyond (in Manila, it's dark by this time).
The Triathele and the Allies
We (Dennis and the allies - Eda, Rocky and Maricel. A missing ally, Ety Bea, is now in San Antonio, Texas) took off by 11am and hoped that we arrive in UPLB before 2pm. We experienced slow traffic along C5 and
Baker Hall, UPLB
Baker Hall, Triathlon Registration Area South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). At the toll, we looked at the map and confirmed that our short route would be go through Calamba town, pass by the resorts then our destination, Los Banos.
Los Banos and What it is Known For
Los Banos, translated to The Baths, is in the province of Laguna. It is at the foot of Mount Makiling and is a tourist destination where hot springs resorts are plentiful. We saw two newly built/renovated Korean spa resorts. Splash Mountain resort has improved a lot based on the their renovated entrance. Along the way, one would see men waving with signages written "Private Pool." Tourists can rent houses with Private Pools which ranges from P 5,000 a night. Los Banos is known for delicious
Buko (coconut meat) Pie and sweet
lanzones and
rambutan, which are abundant at this time of year. A lot of stalls along the way to Los Banos sell these. I also noticed that Nipa Hut cabanas were on sale here and there.
At last, Our Destination
When we saw the sign Pook ni Maria Makiling, we slowed down and asked a bystander on how we can reach the university (Unibersidad ng Pilipinas). And what a coincidence, it was
UPLB Swimming Pool
Pool beside Baker Hall not a local who we talked to, we saw one of the organizers who just had lunch (it was already 1:30pm) and showed us how to reach the university faster. He showed an uphill and deserted road. We rode on a road in the middle of a forest where the trees were thick that the branches crossed the road. There were no lamp post or street lights and we could just imagine if you pass this road at night - it would be scary... We passed by the Jamboree, campsite of Boy Scout of the Philippines, and National Arts Center. By 2pm, we reached Baker Hall where the registration booth was located. Beside the Baker Hall is the 25m pool divided into 4 lanes which totaled to 100m. In front of the Baker Hall is a field where the transition area was located and the road beside that is where the FINISH bar was situated.
UPLB Triathlon Club, Trantados
It was Dennis' first time to join a UPLB triathlon leg. We saw mostly current and former student UPLB triathletes and very few non-UPLB. UPLB has a triathlon club called
Trantadoscomposed of fun to be with, strong, young men and women and once
UPLB and Mount Makiling
UPLB field with backdrop of the foot of Mount Makiling they wore costumes (Sponge Bob, Batman, etc) while competing...it was funny. We saw two celebrities/triathletes who has regularly joined the UPLB leg; Drew Arellano, a TV host/actor and Leo Oracion, 2nd Filipino who have summited Mount Everest. A lot of onlookers recognized them especially Drew, who's a good looking actor. Mostly young girls had photo ops with him. I chose to have a photo op with Leo since climbing Mt. Everest is more prestigous for me. Also, I noticed that there were kids in their swim suits and so I learned that there was Kids triathlon catergory.
Waiting Game
We waited for the race to start and so the allies while waiting ate (snacks we brought as usual were hard boiled eggs, tuna sandwiches, chips, iced tea but no
pancit canton this time) while Dennis had himself marked and prepared his paraphernalias (jug with water, Gatorade, Baby Ruth, banana, rubber shoes, bike shoes, helmet and bike)in the transition area. We saw Teddy Sumulong, a friend who lately got hooked to reacreational traithlon. He introduced us to his wife and son whom he brought along this time. While waiting, I took some pictures of the pool, transition area, trees, UP jeepneys
Leo Oracion
Den with Leo Oracion, famous Filipino who has south summited Mount Everest and the sponsor stand. Two of the sponsors are Alaska and Kellogs who were giving out free cereal with milk in a small cup - even non triathlon allys took the opportunity to have free snacks. It took some time for the organizers to prepare the bike and run route and so we waited and waited and waited until there was an announcement that Kids Triathlon was about to start.
At Last, The Race - 8 loops swim, 3 loops bike and 4 loops run
The Kids were up first then the female category was next - so the men started by 4:30pm - it was really late. Dennis calculated that he would finish beyond 6pm and it will be dark then. I was talking to Dennis while he was on a loop end and was asking him if he was counting his loops. I got scared because he wasn't counting and so I approached the marshals to ask if they could determine the number of loops a triathlete has completed. Unfortunately, they can't but good thing Teddy was there. He and Dennis almost finished a loop at the same time and compared their loop count - it was their
Transition Area
Bike stand at the transition area last loop (8th). I followed them to the bike route where the parking area was also located. Our car was parked in a spot where the triathlete on their bike and foot would pass.
The allies had to do some things - Maricel and I took some pictures and Rocky played his DS. I had a hard time taking pictures of Den on the bike - wish I had a better camera. I waited for him in the transition area between bike and run legs. He got hungry and so he ate his choco bar. It was sunset by then and started to drizzle. At least two men and a woman had finished when Den started his run leg. The sky got dark faster than I expected and it started to rain. Allies got their umbrellas out and waited for their triathletes to finish.
Dennis finished a little before 6pm and he was very wet. He said that the rain did good to him, somewhat refreshed him. But I was a bit worried that he might get ill after. We stayed for the awarding. The Awarding area was dark and only car lights were used to brighten the
Den and his nth swim loop
Den on his nth loop. He lost count. Oh no! area.
First Place Winner!
And guess what, Dennis bagged the first place for his age group, yahooooo!! It was the first time...ha..ha..ha... He got a 500 pesos gift certificate from Speedo and goods from Alaska and Kellogs. Rocky was happy his dad received a medal and got free cereals and milk.
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fardin karimi
non-member comment
sunset
it's very beauty and ecxiting for me. actualy nice