Off Topic... DJ'ing

It has been almost 30 years since I first touched a turntable (Technics SL1200) and a really simple 2 channel Newmark Mixer. After watching Dj's in clubs mixing, I was intrigued and fascinated by the skills and ability of how a Dj can make a story in songs by creating sets and making the music more interesting.

I started with a childhood friend and neighbor, Noel Macanaya, wherein he'd come over after school and we'd try to copy the mix of people that we hear and create our own. Our records that time were just off the shelf, found in shoe mart, and sometimes when we had money, we'd buy ay Sam Goody's on Pasay Road for a 12" Vinyl Single. It was quite pricey those days for extended, remix, collector's, subscription copies of 12" vinyl records. We couldn't afford it so we Noel and I had to be creative in our mixes so we could make songs interesting and different.

Around 1981, Noel and I formed our first "Mobile Group" naming it Innovative New Concepts or "I.N.C." We only had a few records during that time, maybe not even 75 and most of them were albums, not even the extended remix or subscription copies for Dj's as we couldn't afford it. I even remember our first stint was a Christmas Party for UCPB in makati wherein we played music from 7pm til 11p.m. I still remember the opening song, Let's Groove by Earth Wind and Fire that people started dancing. Towards the end of the evening, a lady approached me and handed me an envelope containing P 1,000.00 for our services that evening. Not bad for 2 kids who were just playing around. I guess this is what really got the ball rolling.

We continued to practice and dj'd in our neighborhood parties until such time that I was sent abroad for school but ended up being away for 15 years. Prior to my departure, a new name for our group was put together and AUDIO NETWORK was born. The group was composed of Noel Macanaya, Noel Sangil, Arnel Llavore, Ginger Papa and a person named Dondi. Yearly until pre 1986, i would return and hear that Audio Network was still alive and kicking with Noel Macanaya still the lead DJ but only god knew what he was planning.

Towards the latter part of the 80's, i heard of this DJ Master of Disaster (DJ M.O.D.) that people were talking about when they'd visit the US as being part of this rapper. Being away from the music scene in Manila and doind my own thing abroad, I lost touch with Noel aka DJ M.O.D. I was shown a picture of this M.O.D. and low and behold, it was my childhood friend, Noel.
He has indeed come a long way from the time we were spinning and pretending to be club Dj's in our game room at home.

Next, I heard him going to a battle in England for this DMC World Championships. WTF. This kid has indeed come a LOOOOOONG way. Through the years of me moving around from one place to another, I lost touch with him. I didn't know he was rapping as he was one of the personalities of MASTAPLAN back in the 90s.

Back in 1996 when I returned to Manila, I would occasionally hear his name DJ M.O.D. But to me, he was just my childhood friend, Noel. I would see him on TV, on Music Videos and wonder, why he's there. hahahaha.. I didn't know that he has advanced his skills and developed his talent and became an arranger then eventually a music producer. He'd come over the house with his wife and kids and we'll chitchat, and show me some of his scratching skills.

At present while I try to rehone my skills as a DJ to play in clubs (hobby), he keeps on progressing and making waves for himself and earn the much deserved recognition as one of the best TV or Club DJ in the country.

From his first stint as DJ in local bars, then as a noontime show DJ for wowwowee, Singing Bee, Game ka na ba, Price is Right, Showtime and so forth, DJ M.O.D aka Noel has indeed come a far from when we first started on one afternoon toying around with one Technics SL1200, a 2 channel Numark Mixer, a Sansui Turntable, a Kenwood Tuner/Amplifier and Speakers with some LP Vinyl records.

Maybe someday, we'll do a back to back to reminisce the days we first started. Damn proud of you Kumag.

Couch Potato

It's been almost a year since I posted last about my training, triathlon and cycling.

Well, here's a quick recap of what's been going on. Late 2010, I joined the Tour of Matabungkay with my team, Team Franzia. It was a 3 day event that ran through climbs, rolling terrain and descents. Did the first day which was a 90km road race but total mileage was somehwere around 110kms. Glad I finished this along with Edmund and Lucio riding together and kept each other company. I had to leave and drive back to Manila sa I had to finish a school project that a groupmate didn't finish.

Since January 2011, my rides have been short along with with swim and run. I am hoping to get back into the groove and not be sidetracked anymore with other things. I have gained weight and feel challenged each time i ride as it really takes alot more energy now to TRY to keep up with my team during training.

Took a month long vacation abroad and training went with it. it went on vacation too.

Enough of this non-sense and time to get back on the saddle. Will update more later on in the week after the long ride this coming Saturday.

Iron Man 70.3 Philippines 2010

This year I told myself that I would push harder than last. I was injury free coming into the event and felt really good. Part of the preparation was a prayer that the weather would cooperate and that it wasn't going to be as hot as last year and rain was in the forecast for event day. Things are looking good so far. The temperature during the day has been hovering around 30-32 degrees which was still good for a better time.

I sent my car down to transport the bikes as the airplane was not big enough to accommodate many. My brother, Kirk and myself start preparing our bikes for the event and make last minute adjustments. It's just about gametime with less than 36 hours from the first wave, PRO Elite, then by age group.

Opening ceremony is just the same as last year. We just ate and went back to our log cabin as wall three of us were tired already. Around 9pm, we were already asleep and woke up around 4am. Excited? Probably. More like stomach problems on all three of us. Geeezzz.. This is not the day to get a tummy problem.

We couldn't sleep anymore so Jobet and I decide to go for a 20 mins run around the big lake of CWC then go for a quick ride on our bikes when there's daylight. Done with our run, I'm sweating profusely. Weird. We were running at an easy pace as dictated by our program to wake up our muscles for Sunday's event. Hmmm.... Could it be that it's going to be humid and hot on Sunday? Crap. Not a good sign. Weather forecast is for rain around 10am. Just about the right time for the run segment of the event.

We're finished with our run and bike ride, now for a light breakfast. Hmmm.. Still having stomach troubles. Bananas pls and salt so I don't dehydrate and my salt level is not affected. After breakfast, we head back to the room and listen to some music while waiting for the food to digest then head out for our swim. It's so nice inside the room that its cool while its quite warm already outside.

Around 1030am, we finally decide to go for our swim. 500m should be enough. We try to swim with and without our speed suit. Brother finds it more comfortable to swim without the speed suit so I give it a try. Immediately it gave me a feeling that I was just swimming in the pool, like training session, and my body relaxes. I head out for a swim and feel that i was faster or maybe otherwise if I was timed. I come back to the shore and decide that tom, I'll swim without my speed suit. Lunch then final preparations for our equipment.

Around 5pm, we check in our gear and bikes after the racer's briefing. It's almost game time and my stomach has finally startled to settle down after downing 3 Yakults. FINALLY!!! That toilet has been overworked for the past 12 hours by the three of us. HAHAHAHHA.. Time to relax and take it easy for the night. It's almost 8pm and its time to rest already as we have to be up at 4am. Body Marking is at 4:30am.

Done with body marking, we start our mental preparation for the upcoming day. Playing the event in our head one by one to ensure our safe yet enjoyable journey. The time has come. GAME ON!!! We make our way to the start line for the first event of the day, Swimming.

Exactly 6:37am, our age group is sent off. Jobet and I planned that we'll swim together to ensure each others' safety since this is the most dangerous leg of all. The swim came without a hitch and we were ahead of our target time and feeling very fresh. VERY GOOD!!!

Time for the bike leg. Still within our target time, I get a chance to eat my banana and take my salt to ensure I don't cramp during the 90kms bike ride. I ride the way I've been training to ensure that I'll post a good time and still feel good for the 21km run segment. The weather has become really warm now. Where's the rain that they were forecasting? WHERE?? Geeez.. This is going to be really interesting.

Deposited the bike, pour ice cold water on my head and get my running gear together and it's time to go running. By now, the ground temperature is around 35C so I can just imagine how warm it is when we get to the main area which is field. No wind, No shade, just you, some trees and the sun glaring on your head. OUCH!!!

I do my first lap and start thinking why I'm doing this and Why not just stop and go have some beer? Well, good thing I didn't have to think long. Just like my subconscious was well aware of my thoughts, it said to me, "You didn't train for the past months and come all the way here just to give up." I forget the thought about giving up and just kept on walking, by this time. The heat has gotten the better of me. I'm on survival mode at this time and STILL praying that the rains will come REALLY SOON!!!!

8kms remaining into the run, the sky starts to look threatening that its going to let go and finally rain. I'm already worn out and probably working on pure determination. My thighs are killing me, I'm hungry, my feet are burning cause of being soaked and now it's still a long way to get home.

Just as I was about to curse, the sky lets loose and the heavens let all the water come down. What a relief!!! I look at my watch to see how much time I still have from the cut-off. I'm at kilometer 17 already and just a little bit more to go. Should be home in no time. Then, the organizer tells me, I better hustle up and run/brisk walk or I won't make the cut-off. I'm offered a short cut but I politely decline and inform him that I didn't come all the way to Camsur not to be an Official Finisher. I guess that was what it took for me to talk to my legs and muster up all the energy I had left to run like a motherf*%ker and get my ass across that finish line within the specified time.

Guess what?? I MADE IT!!! My legs were so sore and burning up as I was running through the remaining kilometers but I had no choice but to suck it up and keep going. I kept telling myself, as coach jomac would tell me, it's not going to get any more painful that this Ojie." That's what kept me going.

To hear the cheer of my friends and people urging me to keep running and not slow down was the icing on the cake. As I turned the final corner with the finish line in sight, I was about to give up. PAIN, PAIN, PAIN.. Suck it up Oj.. Almost home.

After 7 hours and 56 minutes since I starte at 6:37am, I finally crossed the finish line and STILL within the prescribed 8 hour time limit. I'm Home... until the next Iron Man... hehe..

Tour of Clark

Today is going to be a different day. Something completely new to me I am going to try. That is doing a cycling race. I have never done one before so my body is just going to be shocked with the pace the other riders are going to do.

The first event is a 10km Team Time Trial (TTT). We have practiced this before but not with this kind of terrain. The marshals let us take our turn and from the start, i was already chasing the main pack of my team. By the time I was able to lock in my pedals, the gap between myself and the last rider was around 150m. I pushed as hard as I could be just couldn't quite really seal the gap as they were pushing really hard as well.

As we reach the turn around, I still had some little confidence that I'll be able to catch the last rider but they are just going too fast. Damn. This is not going as planned. I tell myself to just keep going and push to get the experience. After the last turn, I see the finish line in sight. My legs are aching so bad already and I feel i'll cramp up anytime causing me to fall. Luckily, I was able to cross the finish line not so far behind from the team. One down. One to go.

We head back to our hotel to rest and recover to be ready for Stage 2, which is a 90 kms road race. Dang.. This is going to hurt. My brother and I decide that we'll just finish the race on our own pace for experience. At the starting line, around 200 riders are waiting for the gun to go off signalling the start of the race. The sky is threatening to make things interesting. Downpour seems to be not so far from happening. KA BLAM!!!! Here come's the rain. Riders are released and we're on our way.

To make the long story short, 8 laps with climbs really pushed my limit. I'm very happy I was able to deal with the short cramps on my thighs that I experienced on the last lap while climbing. Nutrition was pretty good today.

I am just happy that I lasted today. Forget Stage 3. I have no more energy. Time to go back to my room, rest, take a shower, have dinner with teammates and go back to Manila. It's been a very productive day. Until next time.

It's training time once again for Ironman Camsur 70.3 Philippines this coming August 22, 2010 in Naga City. I

I have been training for the past couple of months and it seems that things are on track for a better performance this year. Last years IM Camsur was also good but I could have done better had I not have that nasty spill on the bike 3 weeks before the event.

I feel better now and I am praying that I perform better. That's all for now. I'll write again some other time.

It's been a few days since Ironman 70.3 Phils and I'm feeling really good. I'm not as sore as how I felt from my first half IM.

To give a run low down on what happened from Friday til the big day, here it goes.

Friday morning I wake up with a freaking cold and a slight fever. Who the F*$k gave this to me??? Must have gotten it wedneday night from one of the guys at the gathering. (only to confirm that one guy I was talking to had the flu..geeezzzz.)

Blast of Vitamin C, cold medicine and keep checking my temperature. Take a cold shower and check body temperature. Almost normal. Dang.. Flight in 4 hours and I feel crappy cause of a running nose. Not a good sign. Still have to pack my clothes. The bikes left at 3:30 am for CAMSUR with the support crew.

I decide to sit outside by the pool to get some fresh air as I figured this would help. Temperature now normal but still feeling a little crappy but it's time to head on out to my brother's place as I'm just cathcing a ride with him. We get to the airport early enough that we're able to grab a bite as we haven't had breakfast. Damn, it's freezing in this new terminal, NAIA 3. Bad thing is I forgot to bring a jacket and I'm wearing shorts and t-shirt. Only good thing is that I have that bonnet that I use for cold weather so I put it on. I go to the gift shop hoping to find a jacket big enough that would fit me. WRONG!!! This sucks. It's freezing in here. Maybe if I put on another shirt, it will help warm my body. Uh-oh.. now my cold had gotten worse cause of the cold temperature. Shoot... This is going to be a challenge keeping my snot from running down my mouth while in the plane. Passengers might think I have N1H1. Better wear a mask in the plane.

Plane takes off... nice view... 20 mins into cruise, we start our descent. Never knew it was this close. cool!!! Just arrived NAGA Airport. Stepping out of the plane, it was HOT but good for my cold. We're instructed to get into this bus with everyone else and they wisk us off to CWC, Camsur Watersports Complex. Only bad part of the bus ride was IT WAS FREAKING COLD again.

Check in time. They can't find my name where i'll be staying. I reserved 2 rooms. 1 for M.O.S.S TRI Team and the other for our crew. WTF. They keep asking me my last name and keep telling me "sir, are you sure you made a booking?". Patience.. patience.. I calmly reply, yes I am sure because my credit card has been charged and I received an email confirmation. (oh god pls dont ask for that email as I didnt bring a copy). Finally, I hear this "here it is sir. You're in the other cabins" My reaction, none. Please give me my meal stubs and my keys. But before heading back to our room, time to check in with Iron Man People for our race packet while there aren't that many people in line.

Good Morning. I'm Jose Amado L. Mamuric, individual competitor for the Ironman. She replies politely. Good morning sir. Is this your first time to do this distance? I said nope with confidence but I know its going to be a painful day on Sunday. My brother on the otherhand is asked to go to the event doctor just to make sure that he's fit. I should know. We trained together. But, better to be safe than sorry.

We make our way to our cabana. Quaint little thing. My bedroom is bigger than this but it will do. The three of us should be ok. First thing we do, ask the housekeeping people to remove the box mattress to make more space since one was sleeping on the floor. Hmm... TIme to send the staff into town to buy our supplies and a sleeping cot, extra towels, 2 pillows, blankets for our third member in the room.

It's been a while since I have posted anything. Sorry about that. I've been a busy bird with my real life and training for Ironman Philippines 70.3 this coming August 23, 2009 in Naga, Camarines Sur at CAMSUR Watersports Complex.

I'm nervous as hell but all I can do is compete the way I have been training for the past couple of months.

I'll continue to write when I get a chance. Until then.