Cebu City Hill Top Biking at the Good Shepherd

Just found these photos of me and my cousin, Alquin Sasam, and cousin-in-law, Arnold Rezaba, during one of our biking days way back 2006. It was quite eon of years ago but I was utterly amused having found these pics when I was organizing my photo files and folders I imported from my old PC. The scene was taken in one of the hills of Cebu City, The Good Shepherd located at Banawa. Anyone living at or along the streets of Banawa certainly knows about the place and will be quick to give you directions to get there. It is also well known among many city residents because many Catholic faithfuls flock to the place for the traditional practice of the "Stations of the Cross" during the Holy Week. It is usually open to public on those days. It also house a cemetery of Cebu's elites from a distance but still within the premises.

These pictures are priceless to me, going back to the years when I was still job hunting for a long time but enjoying my freedom as an unemployed. Nothing to complain though.

Me and my badass kicker cousin-in-law, Pax. A petite man that he is he was first to get to the top leaving us quite behind.

Me biking passionately around the grassy hilltop while enjoying the fresh, early morning breeze and views of Cebu City.

A quick photoshoot with cousin-buddy, Alquin, as souvenir of our amateur but unforgettable climb.

Another cam shot angle that partially showed one of the statues of the Stations of the Cross.

Having a quenching break and teasing fist pose to Alquin's jaw for a wacky shot.

The River Trail Run

This is supposed to be posted two years ago. But for whatever reason not having done so, I’m posting it just now having revisited my picture files that’s been sitting idly in the hard drive.

The thought about joining the Argao (Cebu Province) Trail Run on May 10, 2014 never crossed my mind even after a few emails sent to me by my work mates. I thought I never had the endurance to go the distance (21K), considering the intense physical requirements to finish the rough and perilous mountain trails, and to think I am totally unprepared for such a challenge.

It was only after I saw from one of my workmates who was surfing online about the race that I decided to join. I had a good vision of the natural beauties we would encounter along the trails. I always longed to experience being with nature.

Even with blurry pictures taken from an old and fogged digital cam I still find it worthwhile to cherish a few shots from the trails. Here are the few amateurish shots taken in glimpses:

For a beginner like me this map is a gruelling 21 km. of mountainous terrain and 21 river crossings

One of the first few river crossings

The real deal starts here - wading in the waters and creeping through the rocks.

Taking an instant breather against a mountain floral backdrop.

A bit exhausted but awed by the boulders that seemed to have finally and long settled from rolling out of nowhere.

Chilling sore feet and legs with the cool, wayward water flow.

Who would've thought the trails included a few tempting falls?

I couldn't believe I finally made it to the finish at a mountain top resort.