Turning Japanese

MYMCAY first was in 1983 when I attend the Youth Olympics. I was to compete in two sports, running and swimming. I ran quite well as I would always practice with Gintong Alay runners and Olympians, David and Manuel Carmelo and Hector Begeo.

At that early age and only in High School I taught swimming also with YMCA in Pines Hotel. I have taught many, even older in age than me. Nearing the middle age, I still run and swim quite a lot. My body does look for it.

In Melbourne, I stayed with Hector Begeo, there I would run in very cold weather. Hector would pass. I just love running in extreme weather. Cold, rainy and in the hot noon sun.

Anyway I have gone up and down to Baguio to facilitate and apply for visas to Japan for me and my family. Normally it would be Joy for this. Not this time as I am today relegated to do all. I'm retired. Joy at this time of the year and like anyone else is busy.

Since I have quite a lot of meetings and coincidentally near Mall of Asia where the travel agency is, I am relegated to fix things. Once while staying in the Conrad for the FIBA bid together with Japan for the World Cup. Coincidentally we won the bid. I got to an early morning run around MoA and survey the area as an exercise. I had a feeling where the place would be but still decided to run around.

True enough I find it. It was where I knew it would be. I ended my 12 kilometer early morning exercise. It opens at 10. After a sumptuous buffet breakfast of Japanese sushi, sashimi and ramen, I felt ready to apply for the visa.

Upon reaching the area it was chaotic. No order. Lots of people were hanging around and some person was outside answering to all queries of all kinds from everyone. I wanted to enter the air conditioned office but was stopped by the same person who asked me what I was there for.

I said visa application. He asked if I had a form, I said all complete. He gave me a number, and