Getting in Shape

Thanks to an iPod, I finally got the much-needed encouragement to start running (again) and hopefully lose some weight. Running around the neighborhood is not that bad. My parents used to run in the early morning but eventually got disgusted by loads of shit plastered on the pavement. Lucky for me I haven't encountered any.

I got my running route from a fun run organized by the local parish some years back. The 5km route, which starts at Bagumbayan, covers Biyaya, Mag. Jose Abad Santos, Mag. Arellano, Mag. Mapa, Bataan, Lubiran, Dalisay, Bacood, Bagumbayan and Dangal. For a relaxed pace, that distance should be enough for a 30-minute jog.

**Still watching out for the dog poo**

Supposed Re-launch

I was supposed to make another (nth) re-launch of the blog, turning it into a merchandise site for the community but the proposed sibling partnership did not push through in time for the December tiangge at Our Lady of Fatima Parish. I was surprised though that the stalls were already up in November (after a week-long sojourn in Puerto Princesa) - there goes our plan.

Anyway, the idea is still up there. We're hoping that we'll eventually get on the project.

Re-launch of Batang Bacood

I apologize for the lack of updates posted in this blog. I was hopeful then (May 2009) that I would be able to re-create a virtual Bacood community but the lack of time and commitment somehow has put aside this project. Hopefully I would be able to re-launch Batang Bacood before the end of the year and come up with a worthwhile business in support of this community-based advocacy.

Watch out for Batang Bacood in this year's December tiangge at Our Lady of Fatima Parish. Details to follow later. :)

Santacruzan sa Riles

Following the Santacruzan for the lolas, people residing at the riles have organized their own Santacruzan. In celebration of Bacood's fiesta this May, the carosa carrying the Virgin Mary was paraded around Bagumbayan St. and nearby streets. Here are some images from Santacruzan '09:

Bacood on Friendster

A quick search on Google and I found a Friendster profile of Bacood. The Bacood account, however, is in no way connected with Batang Bacood. Nonetheless, it would be interesting to meet the administrator of the profile.

Add Bacood as a friend: http://profiles.friendster.com/bacood

Bacood Elementary School

Address: 611-615 Mag. Albert St., Bacood, Sta. Mesa, Manila
Phone: 714-6231

I was taking pictures of Bacood Elementary School's buildings for this post when a caretaker asked me to come back another time. Defeated, I went back to my bike and told myself to return and maybe schedule an interview with the principal, as well as some members of the faculty.

You might know people who studied or taught at BES. Your stories are most welcome.

Bacood on Google Maps

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More Lolas and History

Grandparents (in this case - my lola) have been one of our most treasured sources of history. Many of us have heard countless anecdotes from our lolos and lolas - surviving the war, swimming at a nearby (clean) river, dancing at a town fiesta, etc. For my lola's 87th birthday, I went to Antipolo to ask what Bacood is like 50 years ago. Kudos to Lola Amparo for sharing her story of Bacood. :)

Bacood came into life in the 1950s. Before numbered barangays, there were two villages: Riverside Civic Association (RICASS) and Lourdes Village. RICASS comprised houses in the west side of present-day Bacood, which include Bagumbayan, Biyaya, Dangal, Magtanggol, Makisig and Masikap streets. Lourdes, which was derived from Lourdes Hospital at P. Sanchez St, was composed of what is known as Magistrado.

Lola Amparo's family were one of the first households in Bacood. According to her, the Alinos used to enjoy an overlooking view of the San Juan River, which was then a favorite destination for swimming and washing clothes. There was also cinema a few blocks away from the house. The old cinema is now occupied by paper company Corona. Nice. Talk about watching movies from a stone's throw away.

Santacruzan ng mga Lola

It was not the usual Santacruzan in Bacood as lolas paraded around Bagumbayan and Lubiran streets to commemorate the search for the Holy Cross by Reina Elena. No pictures were taken during the procession but I am hoping that GMA 7 will soon air a feature about it, considering that this group of lolas are regular guests on the network giant's shows. [Photo taken from www.wowparadisephilippines.com]


For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Basketball is Life

Like most kids growing up in Manila, I have spent a number of afternoons playing basketball, whether in make-shift hoops or covered courts. Back then, my cousins and I used to wake up early on Saturday mornings so we can play at the Ricass courts. A little later than that would mean getting crushed by grown-ups going up and down the marked pavement.

Bacood has two covered courts - Ricass and Dalisay. Residents and mga dayo (Filipino for visitors) can also show off their game prowess in makeshift courts along Makisig St.

Getting around Bacood

Bacood is situated in the easternmost part of Manila. It is bounded by San Juan River in the East and South; P. Sanchez in the North; and a row of motels in the West.

Jeepneys and pedicabs (also known as padyak) are the usual modes of public transportation. Jeeps plying the Bacood-Stop n' Shop and Bacood-Quiapo routes pass through Bacood, Lubiran and Valenzuela Sts. before heading towards Old Sta. Mesa St. Pedicabs, meanwhile, can take people anywhere in Bacood for as low as 7 pesos, depending on the distance.

For the more adventurous, walking around Bacood is a healthy alternative. The community's perimeter is about 5 kilometers, good enough for a half-hour run.