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| Dear Friends, Without a doubt, I am getting ready, again, for the biggest challenge of my life. On November 19, 2006, I will be running the Philadelphia Marathon. That's 26.2 miles, and yes all at once. Luckily, I am not doing this on my own. I have joined the Gawad Kalinga 777 Hero's Run. Through this program, I have training support from my fellow runners to help me cross the finish line. More Important than my physical commitment to the program is my commitment to raise funds to build homes for the poorest of the poor in the Philippines. One home is equivalent to $1,200. Over 40,000 families lost their homes from natural disasters late last year. Gawad Kalinga (GK) is committed to ridding the Philippines for its disease of poverty, by building not just homes but communities. Yes I know...I must be crazy running 26.2 miles again. I am not only running this race to get in shape and have super-sarap six pack abs, but also because it takes a different kind of hero to give up his own physical self. I ask that you join me and help bring back hope and dignity to my fellow Filipino brothers and sisters, not by running but by becoming a Home Partner. The role of a Home Partner is not only to donate money to the cause, but help spread the news about the work of GK by simply telling a friend or relative. If you would like more info about GK, you can check out gawadkalinga.org and ancopusa.org. As I run the 26.2 miles, I promise that you will be with me in spirit, and your partnership will inspire me to run stronger and faster to the finish line. Whatever you can do to contribute matters...it all adds up! With 100% of your donation going directly to a home, you truly can make a difference. Please visit my site at http://www.active.com/donate/gkNJPhiladelphia/carlodelarama to donate any amount. You can even ask your parents, like, "oh my boy Carlo is running for somethin' nice, mommy can u help him out?" lol I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity. Yours, Carlo | | |
| So I arrive at Casino Filipino after crazy traffic. After getting outta the car, there waiting was Rizza with her boyfriend Paolo. He seems cool. I thought he was gonna be like 6'4. lol
Anyway, seeing MYMP was
probably the greatest idea I've ever come up with. Not only was it the
hottest performance I've ever seen, but it was the best way to meet up
with Alan and Charms.
Once MYMP was announced, it was crazy. Chin, the guitarist, was already on stage for a while, so all my excitment was roused when I saw half of Juris'
body under the projection screen. It was pleasing to watch her
sing...she's so beautiful. I mean, such an amazing voice complemented
with such amazing beauty.
They played many songs! They opened up with "A Little Bit." At that moment, I waved at her and she waved back in this cutesy manner...which I liked. A lot. Others were "Someday," "The Closer I Get to You," "Especially for You," and "Tell Me Where It Hurts." It was so rabble-rousing when they started each melody.
Towards
the end, she announced her last song. Then at the right moment, when
she was sending her gratitude towards the audience, I reached out to
her and said "I Love You!" and she said, "I Love You Too!" Dude, SHE
LOVES ME TOO. haha
So
I'll leave you with that...one amazing night, enjoyed with amazing
friends, an amazing voice, and an amazing band...all made possible from
one amazing God.
She hugged me btw. haha! | | |
| Now, before I tell you about my trip, I’m going to split it
into two segments:
1)The Traveler’s Observations and 2) my personal experience.
PART ONE: Sights, Sounds, Analysis of Washington
Ooo baby, spring
break at WASHINGTON STATE.
Now lemme begin by saying that it is one of the most beautiful states I’ve ever
seen. Riding in my friend Braxton's car, I noticed A humungaloid amount of trees. Goodness gracious me, one cannot imagine
the sight of so many evergreens. It almost engulfs you like a needle in a
haystack.
Environment.
Notoriously known for its rain, I managed to receive a blessed week, of
God-given sunshine. In addition to its greenery, the overshadowing heights of Mt.
Rainer makes its presence known to Washington’s
inhabitants. Hence you can say that sighting Mt.
Rainer obviously means it’s
picture-perfect weather.
Food.
Goodness gracious me, my favorite part! From the common franchises such as
Applebee’s and McDonald’s there stands some unique Seattle
stands. I got to eat at some amazing places. Seattle features burger joints
like Dick’s and Kidd Valley, amazing Mexican food like Chipotle, amazing pizza
places like Pagliacci’s, but personally, one spot got my mouth feastin’ the
most...That, my friends, is IVAR’S. You want the best fish nd chips? Go there.
Mmmmmm
People.
“Hella…” “Bomb…” “Hella Bomb…” These are few of the words I hear from the Seattle
country-folk. (haha) Most of my friends reside in such WONDERFUL homes. Average
person’s house is a suburban dream house! Multiple bathrooms is a norm for
these peeps. Seattle must have such
a blessed economy to acquire such nice homes.
My friends from WA are actually not too
different from Jersey. Even though we speak somewhat
differently, we also have share some of the same interests. I guess it’s an
Asian thing, but boy do they love BUBBLE TEA. Yummy! I ran into so many bubble
tea joints, I kinda envied it. Man, I wish I wouldn’t have to travel to New
York to see so many joints.
PART TWO: My
Personal experience at the SHUTTLE
My first weekend
there, I spent Sunday by going to Easter Mass. I felt great joy because I
finally got to spend time with my aunt's family including the sole remainder of my entire array of 1st cousins,
Kuya Eric. It was great to finally meet his sons Ben, David, and Marty, as well
as my beautiful cousin-in-law, Ate Emily.
Most of the time,
I was chillen wit the CFC Youth community of WA. I sure had fun hangin’ out wit
the likes of Braxton, Theresa, Norm, and many others. We all basically did what
we like to do…fellowship! Besides eating, we spent a huge amount of time just
chillen at people’s houses. I enjoyed seeing houses that belonged to Braxton,
Marie, Cholson, and Theresa. Like I said, everyone’s houses are freakin nice.
One of my favorite places that I chilled at was the enormously hot campus of
UDUB. WOW dude…so big, so many people, so many girls. Jeez louise how nice can
that joint get??
Other
than my friends, cousin-E took me to the fun spots. He took me to Seattle
areas, such as Pike, Uwajimaya, Qwest Field, and Historic areas of Seattle.
With Eric, I ate fish n chips at IVAR’s like four days straight. For the first
time, I got to eat at a SUSHI CONVEYOR belt place! Omg It’s heaven. 
Ya know,
everyone there eats at STARBUCKS! Jeez…I mean, since Seattle is like the coffee
capital of the world, you’d think everyone has their own spot, but nooo Lol I
guess starbucks REALLY IS that good.
So yeah. That’s Washington.
Hella fun, right? Haha
-Carlo
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| the myspace now reads:
Carlo
Male
19 years old 
So 12AM, said a prayer, had a worship in my room, and I thank God for a wonderful year. so yeah...
Oh my goodness, wow. so Josh took me out to dinner. Chili's on a monday night. He drops the bomb on me saying, "order anything you want." So im like, damn son, time to WIL' OUT!!!!
i ordered a bloomin onion appetizer with chicken nd bacon, loaded mashed potatoes, sauteed mushrooms, a half slab of baby-back ribs,
and a stick of bland shrimp! HOT DAMN, it all went well with mango iced
tea, and above all, it tasted so good coz it was free. courtesy of Mr.
Teves. lol
dessert came in with songs of joy:
A chocolate-brownie-vanilla-fudge-volcano type of thing, served by nice waiters, like Anthony Kwan, who sang me happy birthday! hahaha
So yeah...special thanks to all my friends who hit me up: Juice, Fifty, Sam, Joy, Sunshine, Kuya Gino, Ate Bikey, every FTW in the p.i., Cathryn, Kathleen, Jon Chichi, Bryan B, Regine, Ashley, Christian Chico, and Mayor Jerramiah Healy  with his heartful letter to me. haha
They should make a movie about me...
"The 19-Year-Old Senior" how about that?! lol
God bless,
-Carlito
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| - Gonna Fly Now (Theme from Rocky)
Hello everyone! I finished the Philadephia Marathon!! 26.2 miles of pride & glory all for GOD and country!
THE PRAYERS WORKED! Words can
hardly explain what this marathon meant to me. Crossing that finish
line was the greatest feeling I've ever had. I have nothing but respect for
the people of Philadelphia. They dont call it "the City of Brotherly
Love" for nothing! Thank you Philly! oh man...they did have craziest
hills though!
I wanna dedicate this race, first and foremost, to the people of GK
Batangas. If it weren't for the love they've given me, I wouldn't have
done this marathon in the first place. Second, for my Grandfather, Lolo
General. Back in the day he was in the Bataan Death March back during
the war. If he could survive the death march, I could endure this.
Thank you Lolo.
Finally, I wanna thank all of you who prayed for me! Friends, family,
my classmates, my home partners, and my fellow marathoners...Your
support was greatly appreciated and it definitely helped me reach the
line.
To all my good friends reading this, there arent enough words besides
"Love" than can describe this wonderful feat...dont u hesitate to talk
about the run with me sometime. Thank you and praise God!
For God and Country. -carlo `:{
Me at the 14 mile mark.
at the top of the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum
Tom and me less than hour before the run.
Philadelphia, THE City of Brotherly Love. (as viewed from the Art Museum.
Mark, Me, Pacs, and Ray outside Jim's Steaks.
Em, Steph and I after eating at Jim's.
I got all the pics here at my photobucket. Thanks guys!
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