TIMEX Send-off Party Pics

 

TIMEX SEND-OFF PARTY

 

WHILE THE CLOCK TICKS

 

 

On July 13, 2009, the North Forbes Park Pavilion was witness to the arrival of athletes of different disciplines, wearing shades of red for a special event.  A sumptuous buffet dinner kept their tummies happy while the clock ticked and they waited …

 

Hosted by international triathlete Ani de Leon and Jinno of Monster Radio RX 93.1, the TIMEX send-off party went into full launch as Murli Menon, TIMEX country manager, welcomed the athletes with words of encouragement for the upcoming race. These athletes will swim 1.2-miles, bike 56 miles and run 13.1 miles in an extraordinary race to the finish line.  This is the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines and these are the athletes to beat.

 

Spearheaded by President and CEO of Alaska Milk Wilfred Uytengsu Jr., former Philippine Basketball Association chairman, the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines will be held this August 23 at the CAMSUR Watersports Complex, a race that will put the Philippines on the international triathlon map.

 

Having kept everyone’s hunger in check, the hosts proceeded with a “Name That Tune” game.   Momoy Ayaton & Cris Bofill of TIMEX-TMM attempted to steal the show with their “moonwalk” dance steps but Lara Parpan & Chock Martinez bested the other two pairs with their cool dances moves.  In the end, Polo Tri Team’s Bea Locsin & Cliff Eala emerged winners even while keeping to their feet, for after all, the game is called “Name That Tune” and not “Shall We Dance”.

 

 

Triathletes are expected to have honed the breathing technique necessary for their brand of sport.  This technique was put to test in the game of “Longest Breath” where contestants were asked to call out the word “TIMEX” for the longest time that they can.   Rio Dela Cruz, Mark Bonzo, Roland Aquino and Chesca Dionisio tried in vain to hold their breath long enough, for Jaja Reyes and Will Ottiger outlasted them all and tied each other at 23 seconds.  In the final showdown, Will surpassed Jaja to win the coveted Timex Expedition WS4 watch.

 

 

In the game of Charades, players acted out movie titles related to TIME.  It seemed that TIMEX-TMM team manager Mar Alotaya could not get his message across to partner Fiona Ottiger, allowing partners Ias Bernardo and Christine Ong to bag 1^st prize over another pair Ernie Lopez and Bing Alto-Larocque.

  

A video presentation followed showing the commitment of TIMEX to support its triathletes for the CAMSUR event.  TV personality and model Marc Nelson joined team captains as they were presented on stage:  Nonoy Jopson, Leica Carpo and David Charlton of Polo Tri Team, Lara Parpan of Team Women’s Health, Coach Rio Dela Cruz of Team Runrio, and Roy Hervias of TIMEX-TMM.  Roy promised that his team will all finish by 1:00 p.m., while Lara said that she, together with Christine Ong and Debbie Yabut in her relay team, represents the rookies.

Brothers George and Bob Mirani, TIMEX CEO’s, were beckoned up the stage by Mr. Menon as he announced their generous offer of an additional Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) for the fastest relay team to complete the Cobra Ironman 70.3 race.  What a great incentive for them to give it their best TIME!

 

Marc Nelson enjoined everyone to toast to Murli Menon, who would soon be leaving the Philippines for another TIMEX post abroad.  Wine glasses were raised while red confetti rained down on the stage, a great way to end the party with a bang.

Tessa Prieto-Valdes, columnist, socialite and an athlete herself, graced the event donned in a one-shoulder dress with matching headdress, dangling earrings and a conspicuous necklace of gems.

TIMEX is one of the best known watch brands in the world.  Just as its commitment to give the highest quality products, its pledge of support for the highest quality athletes in the country will never waiver.

 

 

41 days to go till race day!  What will be the outcome?  Only TIME can tell.  Till then, the clock is still ticking and the athletes are still waiting …

 

 

-angie-

 

 

*Written by Angie Tan, Official TMM Media.

 

 

Powerade Philippine Duathlon Open Series 2nd Leg, June 28, 2009

Race Debut

POWERADE NATIONAL DUATHLON

The Powerade Philippine Duathlon Open Series, 2nd Leg, June 28, 2009 . Seven (7) of Timex-TMM’s members participated in the race: Carlos “Igop” De Guzman, Roy “Cap” Hervias, Julian “Daddy Cool” Confesor, Careza “Jaja” Reyes, Joni “Andag” Lopez, Mercy “Go Mercy Go” Go, and Cris “Pogi” Bofill.

Everyone was ecstatic since it was Team Timex-TMM’s debut to be officially recognized in a TRAP organized event. All seven (7) members got a lot of attention in our literally brand new, just got of the shelf bike jerseys (Thanks Andrew, we know we had it done on such a short notice. Hehe). Some of us even heard cheers of “Go Timex” from the sidelines of the bike leg.

The weather was perfect for the competing crowd; blue skies, head wind and lots of sunshine. Andrew arrived at the venue with our jerseys in the nick of time. Changing into our uniforms on-site, we all knew that it was game time. And with much effort, anticipation and encouragement from everyone in the team, two (2) of Timex-TMM’S members made podium finishes in their respective age groups!

Carlos “Igop” de Guzman coming out from months of zero competition zoomed to the 3rd spot in the men’s 25-29 age category. This being his first race of the year after finishing the esteemed Iron Man Langkawi, starting with a podium finish will certainly put Carlo in the winning zone for the rest of the year.

Joni “Adnag” Lopez in her first ever duathlon race, bagged the 2nd place for the women’s 20-29 Age category.

We got game.

Race Results Men’s Category

No. Race No. Name RUN 1 BIKE RUN 2 TOTAL

28 57 DE GUZMAN, CARLOS 0:32:05.00 0:46:21.00 0:17:46.00 1:36:12.00

35 98 HERVIAS, ROY 0:33:03.00 0:47:43.00 0:18:05.00 1:38:51.00

103 81 BOFILL, CRISTOPHER 0:37:03.00 0:57:18.00 0:22:19.00 1:56:40.00

112 207 CONFESOR, JULIAN 0:34:44.00 1:01:38.00 0:20:55.00 1:57:17.00

Women’s Category

9 19 GO, MERCY 0:35:32.00 1:02:09.00 0:21:07.00 1:58:48.00

12 24 REYES, CAREZA 0:38:15.00 1:05:32.00 0:20:15.00 2:04:02.00

18 6 LOPEZ, JONI PILAR 0:42:39.00 1:07:48.00 0:24:56.00 2:15:23.00

CAMSUR 70.3 RECON

July 4-5, 2009. Ironman 70.3 Recon @ Camsur.
It was late Friday Afternoon, when Manny Torralba (a.k.a. THE GENERAL) called me up to say he’s on his way to pick me up. We, TIMEX-TMM were all bound to Naga, Bicol for the team’s recon of the 70.3 Race venue. Our bikes were packed (Special THanks to POWERBIKES, Rockwell!) & boxed up in a Loong-bus-ride-friendly-manner. We met up with Chocky & Donskeedoo at KFC, right infront of the Cubao bus station. In a few minutes’ time, Carlo arrived, and Orland right after. Manny De La Serna arrived with the bikes in his truck (Thanks to ROUNCE Printing, for accomodating our bikes) with the rest of the team. Right before leaving, Team Captain Roy arrived, with our VIP guests, Mang Mar & Tito Boy (Saffron Hill Sponsor). TL Don was able to arrange for us a very comfy bus ride (Special Thanks to Penafancia Bus Lines, who managed to fit all 12 bikes of ours at their compartment!), leaving Manila at 8pm and arriving at Naga after good night’s sleep at 7am. Breakfast was arranged by TL Don upon setting foot in Naga. Special thanks to MANG MAR, who took care of our accomodations at the MANSION!! Also to Manny D., who took care of our food & other expenses at CWC & the Mansion, as well!

After settling in, we all got ready for the bike recon ride. The day was just about to start but it seemed like we have been together for a loong time already, enjoying every moment of Chock’s antics. at 8am, we started peddaling. 45km under the heat of the sun, until the wharf & back to CWC. IT WAS HOT. IT WAS BUMPY. IT WAS POTHOLE-FILLED. However, with TIMEX-TMM, IT WAS FUN. 90km of the sun, potholes, & laughter–WAPAK!!!!!! but it was hella FUN. =)

Here are more pics from “Daddy” Julian’s ever-so-reliable camera phone.

Upon arriving back at CWC, we put-off lunch at the mansion for 30 mins and did our runs to cool down our muscles. we ran around the compound again–under the heat of the sun.

Afternoon came & we proceeded to CWC Sports Complex, where our VIP guests (Kuya Mar & Tito Boy) were waiting for us. Some went for a swim at the big lake, doing a recon of the 1.5km swim route, while some relaxed and enjoyed our recovery drinks. (Dis the AMCI way!!)

We spent the whole day at CWC till dusk, then had dinner @ triboo & back to the Mansion for some more recovery drinks. =)

Sunday AM, we had the morning reserved for our pictorial sessions, as required by our Major Sponsor, TIMEX.

Right after, the team did a 10km run of the race run route.

We then proceeded to CWC again, to do the swim route again in the Big Lake, appoximately 1.5km. The water was heavy, the bottom was silty. I can just imagine a lake filled with people in the swim leg– we will all be muddy when we get out of the water!!! (My white tri-suit was brown when i finished my swim. And we were just 8 in the lake!)

After lunch in CWC (c/o Manny D), we then proceeded to the hot springs the call “HYDRO” at the foot of Mt. Isarog. It was the best way to cap the weekend. What can i say– Nothing beats the AMCI way.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS– TIMEX, SAFFRON HILL, ROUNCE PRINTING, GLASS SOLUTIONS.

THANK YOU TO OUR WEEKEND’S TEAM LEADER, DONSKEEDOO.

THANKS TO OUR TEAM CAPTAIN, TITO ROY.

SPECIAL THANKS TO MANG MAR. YoU’RE THE BEST.

IRONMAN 70.3 — BRING IT ON.