Smoker's Delight? Nah....

Nice one, Mr. Ona.

I'm not even applauding for his idea. This is sarcastic.

Come on, higher tax for cigarettes?!

Cigarettes, a powerful influential object used to satisfy one's self, is now being discouraged by DOH, simply by implementing tax. One's considered as the cheapest yet the deadliest vice, smoking has been a habit in the Philippines. Even myself, who once tried and admittedly became a fan of Mr. Marlboro but has decided to quit due to my running career, is discouraged by the news of the proposed plan of our newest kill-joy DOH secretary.

Currently, one stick costs Php 2.00. Now, by implementing a tax of $0.10(which is 4.50), a stick of once cost 2.00 becomes tripled, close to Php 7.00 per stick. One pack costs Php 40.00. Again, with tax involved, it simply became Php 90 ranging up to Php 120.

How can a low-tier employee afford Php 7.00 per stick if one is consuming close to one pack, which is 20 sticks a day? Middle-class employee or employer can probably afford these prices with such consent but how about those minimum wage employees who in their belief, smoking is part of their everyday life?

Both has pros and cons. Cons, you're taking away one's daily routine. As our driver would say, "yosi nalang ang pampawala ng pagod at stress namin, tataas pa". I seriously doubt that people would approve this proposal. Smokers has a saying, as my previous colleague would say, "kung nakakamatay ito, mas masaya nang mamatay na nagawa ko lahat ng bawal, at least ng enjoy ako."

Pros, you're saving one's health. Lesser guys or gals who would be sitting outside of Starbucks sitting in their comfortable chair just to smoke, kahit mukha silang tae di naman bagay mag-yosi. Also, you're calling out on smokers to use their hard-earned money to buy food or other things instead of wasting on cigarettes, which is true. Clean living as they say, and a better quote to describe is, "better safe than sorry."

Me? I've quit smoking ever since I tried long runs. I've discovered, i don't know if other smokers would agree, is that quitting smoking makes me comfortable in running and even basketball. I just feel so bad for these low-tier employees if this bill is passed. I know people can still afford cigarettes. What is Php 120.00 for those managerial level employees or even businessmen? Even staffs of companies absolutely can afford this figure but at what cost? Lung cancer?

If President Noynoy read this blog, he can think, use yout bald head and a teeny weeny brain to consider whether this bill is really amendable or not. Think of what you're taking away from those people who will not be able to afford cigarettes if these VAT is passed. Maybe it's time to blame my favorite senator, the useless Ralph Recto for passing another useless bill, which is E-VAT.

Lastly, I'm not a smoker but I still feel for these smokers.

Are you with me Mr. Ona? Perhaps a tobacco session with Fidel Ramos might do the trick.

Read More

Game Over No More

To those people who thought my slogan was "Game over", think again.

August 1,2010, the day Michael Kent courageously faced the challenge of finishing his first ever 21K. It was also the day wherein every emotion of my face were taken at the photovendo. It was also the day wherein the term "happy pain" finally came to realization to me.

5Am was the gunstart for 21K. At first, i was still nervous, not knowing what may face me during the course of the run. As runners, who looked deceiving with their snazzy outfits, prepared their initial stretching workouts, my initial reaction was "what the heck?". For the record, during runs, I never perform stretching workouts. I just stand and wait for the official run to begin.

During the course of the run, the weather was breezy and calm. It was 5AM and the wind was an ally of every runner. As we coursed through Macapagal Avenue, circled our way from Sofitel and returned outside into the Star City road, It was only 4KM and i see runners who began walking. Knowing i can still withstand the fatigue, I continue to jog, not even minding he first 2 water stations.

As I approached the 11KM signboard, I just realized that I 've been running 11KM straight and there's 10KM more to go. This time, I felt confident going into the last 10KM. I just keep telling myself, "One more hour Mike". As i look at my stopwatch, I see the time 1:17:10 during my first 11KM, again, i kept telling myself, "you're doing a good job for a first timer".

Confidence and Determination are two words I pride myself coming into this race and so far, these words has not failed me. As we runners wound up in the rigid Aguinaldo Highway, fatigue sets in. Pain is now your best enemy and the word "QUIT" is beginning to be a factor. Dehydration also plays a key role, as the weather is becoming warmer, no thanks to the sun. So i decided to stop on all water stations. Garnering 3 plastic water cups and 2 cups of Powerade on every stations.

After reaching powerstation, circling towards Blue Wave and I saw another signboard that reads 18KM, the adrenaline of running becomes higher knowing that a dream of finishing 21K is now in my hands. The passion of finishing the run never diminished, instead became doubled knowing the fact that I'm just 3KM away from achieving something I've never accomplished before.

Cramps began haunting me. The pain in my lower leg is no longer bearable. This time around, I saw a marshall who even told me, "kaya mo pa yan Sir! Konting tiis nalang".

Then it hit me.

A signboard that says "20KM. Only 1KM to go... Even Mt. Everest was defeated one step at a time".

With this sight, I was rejuvenated knowing I'm probably just 6 minutes away from my first ever finishers medal.

Countless chants of "Konte pa mike", i began talking to myself, pumping myself up for the last kilometer. As i passed on every people who began walking, again i told myself, "tignan mo sila, naglalakad, kaw tumatakbo pa din. Kaya pa para sa medal". As i run, i looked at the street road alone, not looking ahead so that the distance of the finish line will not affect me.

As i ran, I saw the last signboard and my eyes began to beam like a 7 year-old child. It was the signboard every runners wish to see. It has a big caption written "F I N I S H".

Even myself forgotten that I've been suffering from cramps. As I saw the six letter words, all i can imagine is the finishers medal. Running like there's no tomorrow, i gave it all i had. As i stepped on the finish line, my D-tag sounded and there goes the ballgame folks.

Michael Kent is a 21k finisher, their unofficial time timed 2:30:31.

For me, this has got be the greatest UNDERDOG story I have ever encountered. A man who even can't complete 2KM of running, a former 230 lbs and obese 2, who have dedicated himself with hardwork and perseverance to achieve what he is today, is simply amazing. I pride myself for what I have transformed, turning a once loser into a over-achieving rookie.

For 6 months of running, I've completed 3K,5K,10K,16K and 21K. Friends are encouraging me to push myself to the limits. I know i can push myself to the limits. So people are asking me, What's next big race for Michael Kent?

October there's the King of The Road, which i will be running under 21K. And lastly, November. The RunRio Trilogy 3rd leg, which I will run in the 32K category.

Being an underdog is what brings my best out.

Glory. This is one word I will cherish for a long time after conquering this run.

Redemption is one word I'll continue to do, to prove all those people who misjudge me wrong.

Confidence will still be my best ally, something I've lost for 2 years.

To put it short, Michael Kent just don't quit.

Read More