Kaine Apertures

The Department of OBGYN of Chong Hua Hospital chaired by Dr. Ellen Chavez conducted an OB Lay Forum last September 2009 at the CHH Auditorium.

This will be my 3rd Full Marathon within a year’s time. Dubbed as the most prestigious International Marathon in the country attended by runners from all walks of life both local and international. It will be first time to run a Full Marathon at sundown. I was expecting my Personal Record to be improved from the last Marathon i ran last July 2009 at the Milo Marathon National Elimination in Manila. We flew in a day before the race and billeted at the Venezia Hotel inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.The race course started in Floridablanca Toll Plaza in Pampanga. The starting gun fired off at exactly 4:30PM with an estimated 1000 runners hitting the pavement of the SCTEX ( Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway). The euphoria was very high at the start while runners saw the sunset in the horizon on the right side of the highway. The organizers made sure that the northbound lane of the expressway is closed exclusively for the runners. Other Cebuano runners that joined me in the race are my fellow team members from the CERC (Cebu Executive Runners Club) whom i can say are my fellow Asphalt Eaters! There were a lot of challenges during the race like running alone in the dark, some water stations have less supply of water, there were no kilometer markings and most of all no Aid Stations. Nevertheless i finished very strong at 4:55, me Personal Best (PR) so far. My average speed according to my GARMIN GPS watch was 6.75 minutes per kilometer. I remembered my speed on the last 5 kilometers was at 5.85 minutes per kilometer, i felt my heart was a bout to explode while every stride i made has a corresponding deep breathing, i sort of sounded like DARTH VADER breathing. While legs are hurting i can somewhat control pain mentally more satisfying is when you can hear the loud screams of cheer upon entering the Remy Field Oval Track where the Finish Line is located. 200 meters to the finish line on the rubber track, i gave all my best sprinted to my heart’s content knowing that the AGONY OF THE FEET is about to end. It’s true when they say, ” PAIN IS INEVITABLE, SUFFERING IS OPTIONAL!”. Crossing the Finish line is a relief when greeted by your loved ones and friends, holding their medals and certificates of finish. We always look forward for an after race meal of Steak and Rootbeer Float! Another page in running has past as we leave for Manila and off for a flight in Cebu the next day. Recovery Phase is always good but i consider running and fitness as a way of life, so i went back running after a week. Getting ready for the next Full Marathon in 4 months time….the CONDURA 42k MARATHON on February 2010 in Manila.

After a long wait due to hectic schedules and Mentoring classes, Master Photographer Ted Madamba finally led our Photography Workshop with the members of the ROTARY SHUTTERBUGS from Cebu City. Completing two Indoor Class Lectures and lastly the Outdoor Shoot Workshop. One weekday hot afternoon, we went to Liloan ( North of Cebu City) for the Lighthouse pictorial on the 1st leg of the afternoon workshop. Got some decent pics of structure but would have been better with a Polarizer. Then the group pushed forward to Cordova, Mactan Cebu for the much awaited Sunset shot and unfortunately got caught in a traffic thereby losing the opportunity for a good shot. Nevertheless, i had my runaway shots too. To cap off the day’s lecture, we went to the foot of the Marcelo Fernan bridge connecting Mandaue City and Mactan Island for the Night Photography. Using Tripods, Monopods and with low shutter speeds & exposures, i had my Homerun shot of myself on 25 second shutter (25″) making a ghost like effect under the bridge! Minimal Post Processing involved here.

The Chong Hua Hospital Department of OBGYN headed by Dr. Ellen Chavez, where my wife, Eleanor H. Casquejo is an Active Staff and heads the Women’s Center (OB Ultrasound) organized a CME Lecture and for the first time established the first Alumni gathering of all OBGYN Consultants who had their Residency Training since 1983. The night was filled with fun and laughter as they reminisce their good old days in training. But most of all they celebrated the “Women of Substance” with a wonderful and interesting program complete with colorful costumes portraying the Significant Women in our History. They also paid homage to the first Chairman of the OBGYN Department of Chong Hua Hospital , Dr. Milagros Abesamis-Chan who established the Department. Here they are as they paraded at the Casino Espanol main ballroom last September 8, 2009. Enjoy!

Bethany Christian School in the hills of Guadalupe Cebu City, Philippines is where my son, Kaine Lorenzo Casquejo goes to school. He’s now in Grade 3 , and he invited me to attend the Buwan ng Wika Program. Little did i know that i was treated to a Full production 3 hour long Program. Composed of High School students, they paraded, danced and sung different Filipino Cultural Arts in Dance and Song including other Cultural Dances from different countries around the Globe. My Telezoom got a treat with the vibrant colorful costumes that they wore. Have fun!

This work was inspired by my wife who is the Sonologist of the baby Ultrasound Company in SM Northwing Cebu City, Philippines. We decided to combine the art of Pregnancy Photography and Ultrasound Imaging. Even before the baby is born there is an intimate bonding between the mother and the child inside the womb. The fact that for the past 9 months or 40 weeks the life inside the womb will be welcomed by the happy and expectant mother ready to be nursed in her bosom. This Model Mom was the first i have worked with and she was very cooperative on showing her bare tummy. She was now on her 38th week of child bearing, now very eager to see how does her child would look like. Her framed portrait hung in the wall of the clinic. Using conservative lighting, here are portraits of the Joyful Mother awaiting the fulfillment of the Miracle of Pregnancy.

The Premiere Running Event in Cebu City now on its 4th leg is the CDU (Cebu Doctor’s University Run) held last August 23, 2009 Sunday 6am at the CDU Campus North Reclamation Area Cebu City. Participants numbered around 5,000 composed of students, Running enthusiasts, Athletes and various Running clubs. Runners paved the route with ease as the course was flat and free from vehicular traffic. Gracing the event were Celebrities, Cesar Montano and wife Sunshine Cruz-Montano. Personalized medals cash prizes were given to the top 3 winners in different categories such as 10k & 5k Open, Doctor’s 10k, Student’s 5k and special prizes for the Oldest and best in Costume and Kiddie Run awards. A lot of Personal Records were broken in this race, new faces in the running scene emerged but for the rest it’s for the passion and love of running. Below are the captured scenes and faces of the event. Enjoy!!

The Induction of Officers and Members of the Rotary Club of Banilad Metro now on its 13th year under the Leadership of Pablito Aquino, newly Inducted President for Rotary Year 2009-2010 with the Theme: “The Future of Rotary is in your hands”. Held at the Pagcor Cebu Teatro Casino Waterfront Cebu City Hotel Cebu Philippines on July 16, 2009. Immediate Past President, Kenneth F. Casquejo turned over the helm to Lito Aquino in this graceful Rotary Event with a Filipiniana Theme. See the Performers showcasing different Filipino Cultural Dances in their authentic Filipino dresses & Costumes.

ABS-CBN DYAB Kapamilya Run Year 9
Location: Start/Finish Sumilon Road Cebu Business Parks
Date: June 28, 2009 Sunday 6:00am
Shot at Fuente Osmena front of Robinsons
Kit: Nikon D90 200mm Telezoom with Monopod

On these photoblog are the Men and Women who sees running as a way of life. See them in their best form as they ran the streets of Cebu City negotiating the 10km race. Below is Raymond “The Reel Runner” Bontol at his peak training in perfect fit for the 33rd 42k Milo Marathon.

THE FIRST-EVER BIKE AND RUN COMPETITION IN ONE EVENT.
CATEGORIES: RUN- 3K, 5K AND 10K/ ROAD BIKE- CLASS B&C/ MOUNTAIN BIKE- JUNIORS/SENIORS OPEN, MASTER/VETERANS (45 ABOVE), EXECUTIVE (30-44), BEGINNERS (29-BELOW)
Host: CEBUC CITY SPORTS COM. COOL DIMENSIONS EVENTS. TSINELAS.JPPU
When: Friday, June 12, 2009 at 11:55pm
Location: SUGBO AREA, SRP
Cebu, Philippines

EVENT PROGRAM:

6:00 AM – FUN RUN AND FUN RIDE STARTS @ PLAZA SUGBO (CEBU CITY HALL) TO SUGBO BLDG., SRP

7-8 AM – 3K RUN

8-9 AM – OPENING PROGRAM AND RACE BRIEFING

9AM-4PM – BIKE RACES

4:30-6:30 PM – “NIGHT RUN” 5K & 10K RUN RACES

7PM-12 MN -AWARDING CEREMONY AND CONCERT (FREE)

(BANDS: PANDORAS, TENTATIVELY U2, POWER SPOONZ)

NOTE: FOOD AND DRINKS BOOTH SPACES ARE AVAILABLE, JUST PLEASE CONTACT JAQ: 09189790273/09322315241