2013 is the year of running for adidas

Last February, adidas launched Energy Boost, a groundbreaking innovation in running footwear technology featuring superior cushioning that allows runners to store and unleash energy more efficiently with every stride.

To continue their efforts for all things running, adidas is back with its annual King of The Road (KOTR), one of the most anticipated races across Southeast Asia. This year, adidas is pushing the limits for KOTR to be even bigger than before as it opens a new category exclusively for students 25 years old and under.

The 10K Relay for Students is set specifically to encourage the youth to get into a healthy, active lifestyle and to give them a chance to represent their alma mater. Students need to team up in pairs – one male and one female –with each running 5K to complete the total 10K distance. Winners don’t just get individual cash prizes; they will also win prizes for their schools.

“adidas has always been an advocate of health and wellness through sports. The King of the Road is a testament to that fact,” said Jason Gervasio, Brand Communications and Sports Marketing Manager of adidas Philippines.

“The new School Championship category aims not only to promote fitness, but also to inspire teamwork and pride as students are given the chance to be ambassadors of their respective campuses.”

The adidas KOTR 2013 will be held on July 7, 2013 at Bonifacio Global City. Apart from the School Championship category, the race will include distances of 10K for the general public and 16.8K with Open and Closed categories. The Closed category is strictly for Filipinos while the Open category is for all nationalities.

The top male and female winners from the 16.8K Closed category will be hailed as the Philippines’ King and Queen of the Road and will represent the Philippines in the KOTR Southeast Asia Championship in Malaysia.

How to Join KOTR 2013

There are two ways to sign up for this year’s adidas King of the Road Philippines:

1. Visit http://adidaskingoftheroad.com/ph and register online by filling up all the required fields (not available for 10KM Relay for Students). Online registration is open from May 2 to June 23, 2013.

2. Visit any of the seven (7) adidas KOTR 2013 registration sites in the following stores —adidas Greenbelt 3, adidas SM Mall of Asia, adidas SM Megamall, adidas Powerplant, adidas Trinoma, adidas Two Parkade (Bonifacio Global City), or Runnr at Bonifacio High Street. Onsite registration is open from May 2 to June 30, 2013.

Race fees are as follows: P1,300 for the 16.8K race; P1,100 for for the 10K regular race; and P800 for for the 10K students’ race. Runners signing up for the 10K students’ race will have to present vaild student IDs (must be valid until July 7, 2013) at the registration sites.

There is also a discount for runners that sign up in large groups. Participants who register with their friends and family at the same time at the registration site get the following discounts:

Group of 10 runners = Php100 off each Group of 15 runners = Php150 off each Group of 20 runners = Php200 off each

Supporting this year’s race are the sponsors Summit Water, 100 Plus, Sennheiser, EO Optical, adidas Bodycare, L Timestudio, and Century Tuna.

For more news, updates, and promos on adidas KOTR 2013, visit www.facebook.com/adidas or follow the conversation with #kotrph2013.

Run Faster with a Mid-Foot Strike

Do you want to run faster, stronger, longer? If you’re a runner looking for ways to enhance your efficiency, speed and overall performance, try looking into your running technique and re-think your shoe choice.

Global footwear leader Skechers launched GOrun2, the sequel of the successful GOrun performance shoe. This updated shoe helps runners run faster with a mid-foot strike, allowing them to achieve their personal best time.

Skechers GOrun2: Designed for Speed

Skechers has gone the extra mile by helping runners transition to more efficient mid-foot strike running rather than heel striking through its GOrun series. Skechers GOrun running shoes features the M-Strike Technology. Inspired by barefoot running, the principles of minimalism encourages runners to run more naturally by positioning the body for an efficient mid-foot strike in order to run faster, stronger, and longer.

Deemed to be the next generation of serious minimal running shoes, GOrun2 boasts of its GOimpulse sensors which are found underneath the soles. These make the wearer more responsive in running in any surface type. The shoe is made of breathable four-way stretch mesh toe panels and custom fit insole for comfort. The added Resalyte midsole absorbs the impact to prevent injuries.

Skechers GOrun2 features a minimal heel lift at 4 mm to keep the foot in a nearly neutral position. The best part is its weight. GOrun2 is as lightweight as can be, allowing the wearer to run faster and more efficiently. Moreover, it comes in striking color combinations.

Accolades from the Elites

Skechers GOrun ambassador, Olympian marathoner and America’s fastest marathon runner Meb Keflezighi attributes his success to his trusty performance shoes of choice.

“Skechers’ new performance shoes change the way I run for the better,” said the number one marathon runner in the United States. “I’ve been a heel runner my entire life, but I am now wearing Skechers to maximize the efficiency of my foot strike. My shoes are my most essential piece of equipment and right now, Skechers has the footwear I need to succeed,” added Keflezighi.

Filipino top age grouper tri-athlete Martin Lorenzo believes that it is crucial to look for the right lightweight shoe that promotes a mid-foot strike to avoid or lessen injuries and improve on speed and efficiency. He recounted his search for the perfect pair of running shoes to accompany him in his races. The tedious task ended when he found Skechers GOrun 2.

“I bought myself different pairs of shoes and tested each one. What came on top is the Skechers GOrun 2. It is well-designed, lightweight, very comfortable, and well-ventilated for our tropical climate. It exceeded my expectations on every count,” shared Lorenzo, a consistent podium finisher in his age category and a passionate athlete who races in local and international triathlons and marathons.

Lorenzo added that “Skechers GOrun2 makes a great transitional shoe for runners who are still heel striking. Adopting the mid-foot strike is important for runners who want to improve on their running technique and speed. With Skechers GOrun2, no matter how you force yourself to run heel strike, it forces you to land mid-foot for easier transition.”

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Available in the following Skechers’ stores: Glorietta 2, TriNoma, SM Mall of Asia, Robinsons Galleria, SM North Edsa-The Annex, Robinsons Place Manila, Lucky Chinatown, Market! Market!, Festival Mall, SM Fairview, SM Dasmarinas, Marquee Mall, SM Pampanga, Ayala Center Cebu – Active Zone, Abreeza Mall Davao, Gaisano Mall of Davao, SM City Davao, and Centrio Mall Cagayan de Oro.

For more information, log onto www.skechers.com.ph, visit Facebook page SkechersPhilippines or follow @SkechersPH on Twitter.

I’ve been busy for the past couple of weeks. Of what? Practically all because of work. Note to self: excessive work is bad for the health. I feel exhausted since yesterday. I’ve tried and planned leaving work early today but unfortunately I was stuck in my office chair trying to figure out and understand reports assigned to me. Now appreciate how precious weekends are and “me” time.

I hope to regain my ‘normal’ life soon. Wish me luck.

ALASKA TIES UP WITH FCBESCOLA FOOTBALL CAMP,

SPONSORS FUTKALERO CHILDREN FROM TONDO

What is better than playing against one of the best football clubs in the world? Being trained by them.

Never in a million years did they thought that they will be able to see the world’s #1 ranked football club, FCBarcelona, in action, much less interact with them. But these promising young football talents from Tondo did just that and more. Thanks to the sponsorship of Alaska Milk Corporation, the five Futkaleros— Champ Cyrus Wico, Jonas Lorens Lavarias, John David Espiritu, Maria Rochel Mendaňo, and Roger Batiugas— were able to train under the FCBarcelona coaches Jordi Blanco and Jose Moratalla during the FCBEscola Philippines Barcelona Soccer Camp for the youth, a sports workshop that did not only aim to teach Filipino kids the rudiments and techniques in the game but also share with them the FCBarcelona values of teamwork and hard work.

“Alaska has been there from the very start, even at that time when football was not very popular. It has been supporting the grassroots development of the sport and in training players. The annual Alaska Cup, is in fact, the biggest cup in the country, with thousands of players in a single day. So we were not surprised that Alaska lent their support to this project,” says Michael Reyes, organizer of the camp and Team Socceroo’s captain.

Training under World’s Best

Excitement lit up the eyes of the five Futkaleros as they showed their moves to the coaches. They believe that the camp is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to improve their game, learn some new skills and incorporate a new strategy into their play. According to Reyes, the style of the Futkaleros is more freestyle. “I have seen them play and their commitment to the game is impressive. I know that they practice every day. They’re fast. They’re agile. Participating in the camp will help them develop their play more.”

What kids will take away from the five-day camp is not just technique but the values: that football is not about winning but in playing your best and playing with your team. Steven Chua, Operations Director for FCBEscola Asia Pacific, relates, “I remembered a FCBarcelona camp in Singapore that we organized. After the camp, I asked one of the kids what he learned. He told me he learned the reasons why he has to move here, why he has to make a pass. Before, he just does it because he has to without even knowing why. He also learned that football is not about winning but playing the game.”

More than a hundred kids, 6 to 14 years old, signed up for the camp held recently at the Alabang Country Club. They did not even mind the extra-ordinarily hot day, showing off their skills on the field, all of them eager to train under the very best in the world. World famous players Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi were all products of FCBEscola

Built not as important as technique

According to the organizers, the Futkaleros have the typical Filipino built, which unlike basketball, is suited to football. Filipinos are not as tall as other kids but they compensate with their incredible speed and agility. FCBarcerlona has members who have similar built but are still able to excel. In football, built is not as important as technique.

“The style of football of FCBarcelona is the ‘most fit’ and ‘most matched’ [style] with Filipinos. They do not rely on size. In other sports, if you are big, you’d be a better player. In football, we rely more on technique, the passing, how the team plays. FCBarcelona’s style of football is not very individualistic. It emphasizes team play,” says Nicholas Reyes, FCBEscola camp organizer.

Wanted: Healthy body, good attitude and passion

There is also no age requirement, just a healthy body, good attitude and passion for the sport. Reyes emphasized good nutrition at an early age “as this will give children an edge in the sport.” Both exercise and proper diet are essential, especially to the significant number of Filipino kids, who have been found to suffer from undernutrition and overweight problems (National Nutrition Survey of FNRI-DOST, 2008). It is recommended that they eat a balanced set of meals and do more physical activity, which Alaska Milk Corporation has been advocating through their sports programs.

For more information, log on to http://www.fcbescolaphilippines.com and www.alaskamilk.com.ph

Mother’s Day is all about commemorating moms everywhere and celebrating their love, kindness and inspiration.  It is a time for thoughtful gifts, cheerful family gatherings and unique ways of showing them how much their kids care. It also serves as a reminder about the less fortunate children who grow up without devoted mothers, and urge kind souls to do their share to help.  

This Mother’s Day, the Philippines’ online shopping mall LAZADA is teaming up with World Vision, the international community development organization, to improve the lives of underprivileged children across the country through special Mother’s Day gift cards. These limited series World Vision Mother’s Day gift cards are available for P600 until May 20 at www.lazada.com.ph/worldvision .

“When you purchase this World Vision Mother’s Day card, a donation in her name will be made in honor of your mother,” said Jun Godornes, Associate Director of World Vision. “This donation will go to World Vision’s Child sponsorship program that enables children from a poor community to be educated, cared for and protected against poverty and injustice.”

Since its inception, LAZADA has become the number one destination for online shopping and gift inspirations in the Philippines. With over 20,000 products ranging from consumer electronics, gadgets, home and living, clothing and accessories, this leading one-stop online shop caters to all lifestyles and tastes. It is known for its flexible payment terms, such as cash on delivery and credit card payments, and offers free shipping for purchases above P1,000, seven-day return policy, and excellent customer service. 

For more than 55 years, World Vision has been committed to eliminating poverty and its root causes, uplifting the lives of more than 100,000 Filipino children every year. Many more, however, are still in need of aid. “Adding the Mother’s Day gift card to your order will not only put a smile on the sponsored child’s face, but will also tug at the heartstrings of any mother,” said LAZADA’s Vice-President for Marketing Paul Mendoza.

Getting these special Mother’s Day gift cards serves as an initial step to the exciting journey of being a World Vision Child sponsor and making an indelible change in a child’s life. To sign up as a sponsor, one merely has to reply with the code inside the Mother’s Day gift card.

For more information on the World Vision Mother’s Day gift cards and other gift inspirations, visit www.lazada.com.ph .

About LAZADA

LAZADA is Southeast Asia’s fastest growing online store, with presence in five countries – Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. As the Philippines’ Online Shopping Mall, LAZADA offers over 20,000 consumer products, ranging from electronics, gadgets, fashion and accessories, to health and beauty categories, as well as home appliances. LAZADA offers its customers a safe and convenient online shopping experience that is paired with excellent service, including multiple payment options, such as cash-on-delivery, free returns available and warranty commitments. With the widest product offering online in the country LAZADA is the Philippines’ leading one-stop online shop that caters to all lifestyles and tastes.

About World Vision

World Vision is an international community development organization that provides short-term and long-term assistance to 100 million people worldwide. World Vision Philippines works in more than 43 provinces from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and carries the vital work of providing care and protection to the children in several villages nationwide.

For 55 years, World Vision Philippines has been engaging people to work towards eliminating poverty and its causes. World Vision is committed to helping the poor and works with people of all cultures, faiths and genders to achieve transformation. World Vision achieves this through emergency relief, long-term development projects, advocacy, collaboration and education.

World Vision depends on the support of the Filipino public for funding, with the majority of income coming from Child Sponsorship. Other funding avenues include emergency relief appeals, Federal Government grants, cash donations and corporate partnerships, such as this joint Mother’s Day campaign with Lazada.

Slimmers World International, Asia’s leader in Slimming, Health, Fitness and Beauty sets the pace with its fun run.

Register now and avail a group discount of 10+1 (same category)!

All In for the Biggest Race Across Southeast Asia
adidas Philippines Opens Registration for the Annual adidas King of the Road 2013

Runners, it’s time for you to gear up because adidas is now opening the registration for this year’s adidas King of the Road (KOTR), happening this July 7 at the Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The 2013 edition of the adidas KOTR will allow runners to choose between the 16.8K and 10k race categories. The 16.8K-distance will have two sub-categories—Closed, which will be exclusive for Filipinos, and Open category for all nationalities. Male and female runners who will top the race from the Closed category will be crowned as the Philippines’ King and Queen of the Road and will represent the country in the adidas KOTR Southeast Asia Championship in Malaysia later this year.

On the other hand, the 10K-distance will have an added feature this year, the Student’s Relay category. The Students’ Relay category, created to encourage the youth to lead a healthy lifestyle, will be open exclusively to college and university students 25 years old and below. One male and one female student need to partner up and form a relay team, with each running a 5km leg. The winning pair will win cash prizes individually as well as for their respective schools.

The regular 10K race will still be held, which is open to all runners interested to join this distance. Prizes also await runners who will top the said categories.

“The brand’s battle cry is All In, as adidas continues to support and encourage people to be the best they can be in whatever interests they have —be it sports, fashion, or music ” says Jason Gervasio, adidas Brand Communications and Sports Marketing Manager. “In the case of KOTR, adidas is showcasing its commitment to sports by bringing together and empowering runners from all over the Philippines and Southeast Asia, giving them a chance to engage in their passion for running.”

Southeast Asia Roads Lead to Malaysia

adidas is not only encouraging runners to compete within their countries. As part of its drive to provide the best experiences for its consumers, KOTR will once again be held in different legs across the SEA countries.

To date, the first adidas KOTR SEA Regional Championship held in October 2011 culminated in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, involving participants from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. The success of this multi-country race inspired the brand to make the event a regional annual tradition. Hence, the KOTR SEA Championship Year 2 was organized and held at the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore in 2012.

This year, participants of the KOTR SEA Championship will get a chance to run through the streets of Malaysia. The final race will be held in October, where winners from Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand will be joined by the KOTR SEA Championship Closed Category participants from the host country itself. Only one winner each from the Male and Female divisions will be crowned as the adidas Southeast Asia King and Queen of the Road.

How to Join KOTR 2013

There are two ways to sign up for this year’s adidas King of the Road Philippines:

1. Visit http://adidaskingoftheroad.com/ph and register online by filling up all the required fields (not available for 10KM Relay for Students). Online registration is open from May 2 to June 23, 2013.
2. Visit any of the seven (7) adidas KOTR 2013 registration sites in the following stores —adidas Greenbelt 3, adidas SM Mall of Asia, adidas SM Megamall, adidas Powerplant, adidas Trinoma, adidas Two Parkade (Bonifacio Global City), or Runnr at Bonifacio High Street. Onsite registration is open from May 2 to June 30, 2013.

Race fees are as follows: P1,300 for the 16.8K race; P1,100 for for the 10K regular race; and P800 for for the 10K students’ race. Runners signing up for the 10K students’ race will have to present vaild student IDs (must be valid until July 7, 2013) at the registration sites.

There is also a discount for runners that sign up in large groups. Participants who register with their friends and family at the same time at the registration site get the following discounts:

• Group of 10-14 = Php100 off each
• Group of 15-19 = Php150 off each
• Group of 20+ = Php200 off each

Supporting this year’s race are the sponsors Summit Water and 100 Plus.

For more news, updates, and promos on adidas KOTR 2013, visit www.facebook.com/adidas or follow the conversation with #kotrph2013.

For more details, please read King of the Road Philippines 2013.