I have high respect for a true athlete's discipline because it is a major factor to winning. However, every goal to be met begins with a dream. And this is what AirAsia aims to motivate and inspire athletes with -- to discover their own potential and make their athletic aspirations a reality.

AirAsia, voted the world's best low cost carrier for nine consecutive years by Skytrax, has just launched its region-wide #DaretoDream sports initiative in time for the 2017 Southeast Asian Games (SEA) to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this coming August 19 to 31.

As the official airline partner of the 2017 SEA Games, AirAsia Philippines created an inspiring web video series featuring the stories of Filipino athletes who are all aiming to bring home glory for the country. 

6-time UAAP Season's MVP Alyssa Valdez

The #DaretoDream videos include the journeys of renowned volleyball player Alyssa Valdez, swimmer Jessie Lacuna, and long jump athlete Marestella Torres-Sunang. Their stories, and those of others like them, share both their challenges and joys to encourage young, aspiring local talents who also want to go into sports.

2-time Olympian Jessie Lacuna

"The #DaretoDream initiative is part of AirAsia's continued commitment to grow the local sports scene. Through the web video series, we are sharing the hard work and passion that drives our athletes," expressed David Viray, AirAsia Philippines Brand Manager. "We also want to gather support for them from every Filipino -- we want everyone to watch them compete and cheer for them during this year's SEA Games."

4-time SEA Games Gold Medalist Marestella Torres-Sunang

Please stay tuned to video updates of the 2017 SEA Games to be hosted by volleyball player and TV personality Michele Gumabao on AirAsia's Facebook page. They will contain the game highlights and team standings of the Philippine delegates: the first video will show the Opening Ceremony of the 29th SEA Games while the second and third will feature the winning athletes and teams from different countries. The last will recap the highlights and winning moments of our Filipino athletes. 

Learn more about AirAsia's #DaretoDream campaign by visiting www.facebook.com/AirAsiaPH.

One of the things that definitely makes working out fun is doing it with a buddy. Whether you're accompanied by a friend or family member, physical activities seem to get easier if someone's with you to finish the journey with. 

This July, Robinsons' Supermarket once more proved that pursuing a healthy and active lifestyle is very much possible with the success of the 10th Fit & Fun Wellness Buddy Run held yesterday at the Parade Grounds of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

I love this particular annual running event because it encourages participants to partner with a loved one in running together towards the finish line. This is my third time to join and I am grateful for the opportunity to be with my family in doing an activity I have personally grown to love. 

Like last year, my youngest son and I teamed up to run 5k while pushing our special child's wheelchair while hubby and our second son, both barefoot runners, once more tackled the 10k distance together. We caught up with each other along the race route and happily took a groufie I posted on Instagram.  

It was so great to see several blogger friends join the race for the first time with their significant others. I am really glad they had fun and hope that they would continue to incorporate running in their fitness regimens from now on. 

Mr. Jody Gadia, general manager of Robinsons Supermarket, affirmed how much the Fit & Fun Buddy Run has become a much-anticipated event through the years. "It's our kick-off as we celebrate Wellness and Nutrition Month with the nation. It provides a fun gateway activity for fitness newbies who are just about to start their wellness journey and loyal runners."

On stage, Gretchen Ho and Robi Domingo served as hosts while coaches Jim and Toni Saret led pre- and post-workout sessions to help keep runners' adrenalin pumping. The fit couple also invited everyone to register on-site for the Fit Filipino 1 Million Pounds National Weight Loss Challenge. This is the biggest on-ground and online wellness program in the country that encourages everyone to pledge their unwanted pounds and lose weight by December. Know more about it, here. 

Adding to the fun were various booths that offered freebies from Nestle Philippines, Johnson & Johnson, Fonterra, Unilab and Wyeth Nutrition, Unilever, International Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (IPI), Procter & Gamble, Abbott Nutrition, Getz Bros, Ecossential, Del Monte, Foodsphere Inc., and Philusa. 

The fun run, however, is just one of Robinsons Supermarket's many programs this July. There are Wellness Festivals being held in various locations and Healthy You snack platters to be given away for a minimum purchase of P3,000 inclusive of P500 worth of participating items.

Keep updated with Robinsons' different promos and activities that aim to provide Filipinos with delicious and healthy food options and alternatives. Make sure to Like Robinsons Supermarket Official on Facebook and visit www.robinsons-supermarket.com.ph regularly. 

* Thank you so much, Running Photographers, for taking such great photos!

I was there when FWD Life Philippines was launched in 2014 and I am glad to see how much this insurance company has grown since. Last year, I also wrote about their partnership with Wattpad when they launched stories about financial literacy via the creative use of digital media.

This 2017, FWD Life Philippines takes on championing health and fitness by supporting the Fit Filipino (FitFil) Movement's National Weight Loss Challenge. Spearheaded by Jim and Toni Saret, fitness coaches at Biggest Loser Philippines Season 2, FitFil aims to get Filipinos to collectively lose one million pounds during the campaign period of June 6 to December 5, 2017.

Rochelle Vandenberghe, FWD Life Philippines Head of Marketing, expressed, "As an insurance industry pioneer in the space of health and wellness, [we] are delighted to partner with the Fit Filipino Movement and coaches Jim and Toni to inspire Filipinos in leading healthier lives with a series of fitness-centered events." 

Through FWD's Live to Move fitness parties in collaboration with FitFil and the challenge's partners, Vandenberghe said they "hope to inspire a new wave of awareness for the health benefits of keeping fit. For us at FWD, living life to the fullest starts with being healthy." I totally agree!

According to Coach Jim, founder of the FitFil Movement, "We have been working with FWD for over two years and their #GetReadyToLive brand attitude serves as one of the strong pillars of the National Weight Loss Challenge. We are excited to bring to life the country's biggest health and wellness campaign as we challenge Filipinos to collectively lose one million pounds!"

Coach Jim added that through this advocacy and movement, the goal is to spread the message that being fit and well starts with a simple commitment. "We encourage everyone to take ownership of their health and join us in getting fit," he implored. 

To launch its Live to Move health and wellness program, FWD Life held an energy-packed fitness party this past weekend at Central Park, SM by the Bay, Mall of Asia. Coaches Jim and Toni were joined by some of the country's top coaches from various gyms and fitness centers. The workout program centered around FWD Motion, a metabolic fitness (metafit) routine that helps shed off pounds in just four minutes of exercise. 

Hundreds of participants, including members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), joined other fitness enthusiasts in doing zumba, hip-hop, TRX, kickboxing, and cardio workouts, among others under the glow of the beautiful Manila Bay sunset. 

The FitFil National Weight Loss Challenge is supported by the country's premier medical organizations led by the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), the country's umbrella organization for medical practitioners, as well as the Philippine Heart Association (PHA), Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), Nutritionist-Dietitians' Association of the Philippines (NDAP), and the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA). Additionally pledging their support to the challenge are the PNP, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), various universities, local government units (LGUs), fitness clubs, and numerous corporations. 

It is quite heartening to see more and more Filipinos taking their first steps towards a healthier lifestyle. If you are really serious about losing those unwanted pounds, make a pledge to lose them by December by signing up for free at www.fitfil.ph. FYI, there are rewards waiting for those who achieve their goals! :)

I've been trying to make positive lifestyle changes these past few years and admit I still have some ways to go. Although I now exercise more and opt for healthy food often, I continue to struggle when it comes to totally eliminating other unhealthy habits. But, having started is already a positive step and I look forward to the day when I can finally say I am a true-blue fitness enthusiast. 

Did you know? July is National Wellness Month and Robinsons Supermarket is once more celebrating this with a Wellness Festival, the third leg of its year-long Route to Wellness journey with Filipinos. 

The festival kick-off, hosted by Robi Domingo, started yesterday and will run until tomorrow at Eastwood Central Plaza - Citywalk. The park was transformed into an activity area where guests can try various games and visit booths of Robinsons Supermarket's wellness partners. 

Also present were celebrity fitness coaches Jim and Toni Saret who led event participants in a series of four-minute workouts called Metabeats to show that it only takes a few minutes to burn a lot of calories and get started on one's wellness journey. Robinsons Supermarket also took the opportunity to pledge pounds to the Fit Filipino 1 Million Pounds National Weight Loss Challenge and encouraged individuals and groups to visit selected branches on a Saturday to also sign up and have their starting weights measured.   

Experience the activities of the wellness caravan, which will also be held in Robinsons Supermarket Tagaytay from July 14 to 16 and at Robinsons Supermarket Antipolo City from July 28 to 30, if you live near these areas.

Love eating nuts? Get a Healthy You Snack Platter when you go grocery shopping for a minimum single-receipt purchase of P3,000 inclusive of P500 worth of participating products from Nestle, Johnson & Johnson, Unilab, Fonterra, Wyeth Nutrition, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, IPI, Abbott Nutrition, Getz Bros., Ecossential, Foodsphere, and Philusa. 

I regularly buy Healthy You coco sugar and trail mix. This is Robinsons Supermarket's exclusive healthy brand of nuts, juices, oats, brown rice, coffee, and many more that have been evaluated as good for the health by the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI). Customers will also get an extra 15 Robinsons Rewards Card points for every P500 purchase of Healthy You products. Promo Runs from July 1 to 31, 2017.

This coming July 2, Robinsons Supermarket will also be holding its annual and much anticipated 10th Fit and Fun Buddy Run at Camp Aguinaldo. Please read my past reviews here and here to see why it would be a great and fun venue to start your fitness journey with family and friends.

According to general manager Jody Gadia, "As a growing number of individuals and families lead busy and challenging lives, Robinsons Supermarket and its partners continue to uphold our commitment to lead them to the path of wellness by bringing them closer to more choices and opportunities to get fit and healthy."

Know more about RSC's year-long Route to Wellness series of promos and activities by liking facebook.com/RobinsonsSupermarketOfficial or visiting www.robinsons-supermarket.com.ph. Likewise, stay updated on social media by looking up the hashtags #ILoveWellness and #WeLoveWellness and consider starting your own fitness journey, today! 

Last year, I blogged about the Manuel L. Quezon University's (MLQU) move from Quiapo, Manila to its new location at Victoria Sports Tower, a condominium sports complex in the heart of Quezon City developed by New San Jose Builders, Inc. (NSJBI). 

A first of its kind project, the new high rise sports condo in the Philippines is just a few steps away from the GMA Kamuning MRT station along EDSA. With its commitment to provide Filipinos with affordable homes within Metro Manila and its fast paced urban life, NSJBI is able to offer residential units that are conveniently accessible from some of the city's popular spots and state-of-the-art sports facilities for fitness enthusiasts.

Yesterday, NSJBI held its topping-off ceremony at the 47th floor of Victoria Sports Tower. From the top of the building, we had a beautiful view of Quezon City and could see all the way to Manila Bay! In attendance at the event were EVP Ms. Lorelie A. Urcia, Dr. Isagani Germar, Chairman Dr. Jose L. Acuzar, BDO SAVP Ms. Ana Marie Canasa, BDO First VP Ms. Cerwina Santos, BDO EVP Ms. Jeanette Javellana, BDO First VP Ms. Aurora Zita Panopio, and President Engr. Cesar S. Sanqui, Jr.

Four entire floors of the Victoria Sports Tower are dedicated to state-of-the-art Sports Center that features a 50-meter indoor lap pool and a kiddie pool, six private gyms, and complete wellness facilities. Setting the complex to be the world's largest indoor sports club in a residential setting, Victoria Sports Tower likewise houses two indoor tennis courts, three indoor badminton courts, a squash court, as well as rock climbing and rappelling facilities.

And they're not yet done! Also present is a billiards and darts hall, a bowling alley, a shooting range, and a jogging trail in addition to an in-house spa and indoor basketball court with special laminated floors. 

Because it aims to be a one-stop wellness hub, the tower will also be having a day spa, sports medicine clinic, oral medicine, derma center and cosmetic surgery, clinical laboratory and radiology, and regenerative medicine. 

The 51-storey residential condominium is one of NSJBI's offerings on its 30th year in the industry. Since Filipinos are becoming more health conscious nowadays, Victoria Sports Tower is designed to inspire more people to maintain or start a regular fitness regimen.

Whew! Now I'm wishing I could own a unit there! 

* Victoria Sports Tower is located at 799 EDSA South Triangle in QC. For inquiries, call 442-7777 local 195 or visit www.newsanjosebuilders.com.ph. For updates Like facebook.com/newsanjoseofficial.