DBP Roro Inter-island Adventure Race - Day 1

On October 6, 2008, I embarked on a once in a lifetime adventure that i will treasure and remember. Among what the organizers said was over 500 applications, my team was chosen to be part of the ten who will participate in this amazing race. The prize is 1,000,000 pesos tax free. It was all expenses paid and we visited 9 provinces, crossed miles and miles of ocean and road, hung out with the best bunch of people around, got treated like VIPs because of the celebrities we were with, LOST 2 inches around the waist, got a tan, and basically had fun doing all the challenges (well, stressed and tired a little too but im the silver lining kind of guy :).

I woke up at 4am that morning because i still need to finish packing, fix my BIR papers for the month, and generally get ready. Elyza picked me up from the house so that i dont have to commute to the airport (sweet no? :) We picked up Williamson on the way. I should have gotten an idea of how things were going to be when 15 minutes before we were supposed to meet, that is when he decides to take his shower. After waiting for him by circling around the block a few times, we went to the airport. I received my nice, FREE, 6 thousand peso Oakley backpack from Will who had his messenger get it. I had my stuff in a plastic bag prior to it haha.

We were the first team at the airport. The other teams recognized us because we were all wearing the same bags. The other bags were red, ours were green. We got to know each other while waiting. Peaches and Derek were the first to arrive after us. They are the nicest, friendliest and charming couple ive met. Then came Jenny and Nitoy, Kat and Kristine, Roxy and Chad, Geoffrey and Geffrey. We got our air port tax stubs and checked in. My pack was 7.4 Kg. Others were over 8kg.

After a few more minutes,we boarded our PAL flight to Tagbilaran, Bohol. First challenge was to endure the body odor of this foreign guy who sat near us. Derek got the worst of it since he sat beside him. Anyway, after over an hour, we were in Tabilaran. The ones who checked in their stuff collected their bags and from that time on, we were herded around like a bunch of kids on a field trip. We rode our first bus to the resort in bohol.

At the resort, we were introduced to the celebrities who will be a part of our team for the next 6 days. Ryza Cenon was assigned to us. A petite, seemingly soft spoken, slender girl from Starstruck of GMA7. We were joined by the team from Bohol and the team from Cagayan de oro. The team from Cebu couldnt fly in or take the roro to bohol due to the storm so they braved the sea by riding in a small fishing boat. They were late but talk about determination! We then checked into our room which had 4 beds, one for each of the team and one for the camera man who will be a silent partner of our team. After settling down, we went to the dining area looking for food. Since the food wasnt available yet for another hour and a half, we ordered some sandwiches and water. The other teams joined us. An hour and 15 minutes later, the sandwiches arrived. Go figure.

After dinner, we settled around the center table and introduced ourselves team by team. Our camera men were introduced to us and the race manual was discussed. After that, we were sent off to get some rest and prepare for the first day of the race.