Friday, August 21, 2026

This post too was a reservist; only got promoted up to T Sgt years later (not as General as one former Rep was)

Wheels of Happiness

This was post was called to active duty (CAD) as former Air Force Rotc and had a thirty day training at Villamor air base and had to contend with extreme condition:    limited food, not taking a bath for days, being thrown into cess pool, jogging at 4 am to Baclaran.   The next year 1991, our duties were for relief and rescue:  duty at VAB ROC (Relief Operations Center) and relief operations to Iba Zambales.

Was privileged to have risen from AIC to T Sgt.    

Privileges:   tax free gasoline at the bases,   Military ID, PX privilege, can purchase 2 guns:   1 long 1 short.  

There was a lot of corruption going on:   uniforms were not given, patrol allowances (which was given before in 1990) were pocketed, the allowances for the mission (we signed for yellow pages) asllegedly for attendance (but probably vouchers done) and these were for days (no wonder the finance officer Col were there)

We cant mobilize enough like Israel because of the Citizen Army fund corruption and apparent jealousy betweeen reservist and regular organic staff

The Citizen army allowed civilians to be given high ranks especially if they are business owners, owned transpo warehouses assets that could help AFP in times of mobilization.   They had such programs.   This post could be qualified but did not opt and preferred to be an EP (Ipis)

However I saw some anomalies with regards to ranks.  3 of them Lt Cols were to be promoted to full Cols.   And one of the reqs was to join an ardous 1 week FTX   (Field Training Exercise)   This post did not see anyone of them at the FTX, and the CO probably reeling under pressure (because these were influential people one owned a gun store, another a housing official) certified that they were there.   (Imagine a fake ftx certification but we endured the 1 week of hardship, extreme physical demands, hunger thirst, thorns in your unshod feet!

That a certain former cong is involved in a medal ribbon ruckus is not new, or something to be surprised about.  





















Declining physical conditions as one ages

Wheels of Happiness

We cant live and be healthy forever.  In may latest Physical Examination, this post failed all the blood exams chem:     blood sugar, cholesterol, triglyciride,  and creatine..

And so the good doctor, an uncle by affinity had to treat the blood sugar, cholestero.   He put me on 3x ketocid vs high creatine  He told me my younger brother, (10 years younger) was able to overcome high creatinine in just two moths.  

The meds cost me P4,846.00.   Much much vs before Maybe because of meds vs creatinine...

I hope I am good for another 10 years.  



                                             My creatinine level is 117.  It could be normal?!




Met Allan A going up to Antenna however my seat broke and had to abor the climb and repair the saddle attachment

Wheels of Happiness

I decided to bring my mtb and do an antenna ride.  On the way I met Allan (saw his post earlier) and he said he did 3x going up antenna was outstanding.  However on the first climb, I heard a crack and my saddle got loose and the whole seat post assembly disintegrated.  I removed the parts that may fall:   the nuts and bolts, the saddle and the other parts of the seat post assembly.

I tried to reattach the saddle whom I guessed had tools.  He had but unfortunately after we thought the problem was fixed, as soon as I got on the bike the assembly collapsed again.   So I followed his advice get a nut to bypass the defect:  loose thread .   It took me 30 minutes to get my part at Corderos bolt.  It cost me P3.00 for the nut (but at least, I do not have to get a new seat post assembly or go to a machine shop)

At home it took me a while to seat the new extra nut at the seat post assembly.  Now it looks fine.  And I hope it wont bother me again.








Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Alex Eala defeated Jessica Pegula for the Mubadala Washington DC WTA tennis title

Wheels of Happiness

Alex Eala won the finals of the  Mubadala Washington DC WTA leg vs Jessica Pegula  4-6, 6-4, 6 -0.  Eala took home an equivalent of P13M pay.   Her ranking rose to No 28.

Pegula is wealthy, a multimillionaire;   her father is a billionaire

She took the Philippine name and pride a notch higher.  Congratulations Ms. Alex Eala


Sunday, August 2, 2026

Alex Eala defeats Naomi Osaka, fmr worlds number 1 in Washington DC semi finals.

Wheels of Happiness

You have everything right going for Alex Eala having reached quarterfinals by defeating another Filam  Fernandez.   Eala destroyed all the medalist in Olympic medalist and lately Osaka, one of the top tennis players.   Eala, according to the sports writers has matured, sharper faster and mentally tough.

She is on the verge of winning a major tournament where the top money is USD 250,000 (thats a lot of money for Eala in case)  She is facing Pegula in the finals

Good luck for Alex, tomorrow we will know if Alex is in the same altitude of Number 1.   More power





Went up Taktak via Floodway, and Sumulong highway; joined Engr contractor

Wheels of Happiness

Joined Engr Fort Flojo, engineer contractor in Sunday ride to Taktak.   Went to Taktak via Manila East Road, Taytay up to Highway 2000, floodway, right turn to Marcos Highway, past Sta. Lucia, and then right to Sumulong Highway... And then up the hills, Valley Golf, Padis point, Cloud 9, Assumption Antipolo, Le Blanc and finally to Antipolo.  The lower Taktak where the glass church is located has thousands of joggers and bikers and hundred of food stall.  It was a happy place    And the place is the centerpoint of all the hundreds of bikers we met at Marcos Highway.  

This post overtook many riders but could not go past Engr.  because he is younger.  I am wary too of my age and fitness level.  (being 75 all ready)

We ate at the farthest end of the lower Taktak road in a place run by  Carol.

We also did the upper taktak where there were many photogs, and where there were uphill climbs.  

It was fund happy ride    

Saturday, August 1, 2026

Pogi Slovenian Cycling GOAT

Wheels of Happiness

Is Tadej Pogacar the worlds cycling GOAT (it could have been Lance Armstrong without the doping 5 TDF victories)




Superb tennis from Alex Eala at Mubadala, Washington DC; defeats opponent en route to semifinals; on collision course with Japans Naomi Osaka

Wheels of Happiness

Philippine tennis star Alex Eala defeated her opponent Elina Svitolina  worlds No 10  on the way to her quarterfinals.  Its the only positive news about the Philippines after reading so much on flood control scandal, impeachment, typhoon, flooding.  Her ranking would go up soon, having defeated a lot of top ranked players

The only positive leader visible for the country. Now.

Congratulations Alex...  Keep this up