For the first time in years, Nicolas and I returned to Siargao as guests at somebody else’s resort.

Nicolas turned… um… a significant age this year, so some friends from France and Cebu came over to Siargao to celebrate it with him. Except, with our house still under construction, we ended up booking rooms at Kalinaw Resort, owned by Nicolas’ fellow Frenchies, Fred De Baker and Pierre Zappavigna.

It was a bit odd, being picked up by another car, being served welcome drinks and, generally, not being in charge… A novel experience on an island that’s been my part-time home for the past 12 years, but we had lots of fun nonetheless.

More importantly, I now have an exercise buddy in Janette Zappavigna, Pierre’s lovely Filipina wife. I always knew that Janette was into working out but we never got around to exercising together because, well, I live all the way on the other side of the island. Four months ago, Janette lost her exercise buddies due to schedule differences, out-of-town trips and general laziness. So when I asked her to join me, she was only too happy to oblige.

This is how my week in workouts went:

Monday : Rest day.

Tuesday : Taekwondo!

Dominic is a Filipino Taekwondo instructor who moved to Siargao from Davao. BFF, Susan Brandstetter, was his first student on the island and she quickly promoted his services to the other ladies. Janette used to go regularly but stopped when the others’ interest waned.

I absolutely loved it! It’s a great workout with a lot of stretching and kicking.

We must have stretched four times and, each time we stretched, I thought we were in the process of cooling down and I was so exhausted from kicking that I was relieved it was over. The stretching turned out to be interludes to more kicking. We must have kicked and stretched for more than an hour.

I’ve come to realize that if ever I face an opponent in Taekwondo, he or she had better be a midget because I can’t frickin’ axe kick that high. Dominic seemed pleased with my efforts though.

Things to remember:

• Advanced booking is a must or Dominic might be out surfing. You may reach him at +63-916-441-4971. Calls are preferred to text messages.
• Rate is P200/person/class. Private lessons may cost more.
• Wear loose pants and a thin, loose top.
• Slather on insect repellent.
• Bring water!

Wednesday : Biking.

We were supposed to see Dominic again, except that I thought Janette would make the appointment while she thought I would do it. Failing to contact him, we decided to go biking instead.

I borrowed Pierre’s bike, and can finally say that I’ve been on a proper mountain bike, as opposed to the P3000-junkyard-scrapmetal-masquerading-as-a-bicycle that I own.

When Janette asked how far I wanted to go, I answered, “Far.” Fuck. We went far.

First, we rode to GL (General Luna) to have air pumped into the tires, then Janette took us to the highway, which is the first time I’ve ever biked on concrete (since learning how to bike two years ago). That was a bit nerve-wracking for me, what with people, animals, other bicycles, trucks and cars to contend with. No, it wasn’t as busy as I make it sound but, for me, it was the highway from hell.

Janette taught me how to go uphill and downhill and I think I’ve finally worked out how to use the gears… But whenever I found a hill too steep, I chickened out and walked my bike up or down the hill.

Then we turned off the highway into Malinao and took the dirt road back to Kalinaw. Nicolas estimates that we rode about 16 km.

We did stop a lot. We had a few water breaks, then we stopped at the hut at the turn-off to Malinao, where we sat and gossiped for a while. Then we stopped at a street-side stall in GL to buy fruit before heading back to the resort.

Thursday : Janette begged off from Taekwondo since, after four months of inactivity, her body was one big aching mass. Mine was too and, after two nights of celebrating Nicolas’ birthday, I canceled our appointment with Dominic and called for a massage instead.

Shortly after the massage, I started feeling guilty. I had my kettlebells brought from the house to Kalinaw and there they were, sitting in a corner, unused. I thought that I should, at the very least, do a few kettlebell swings.

I mustered up enough courage to get up and do the following workout:

• A. Two-hand swing – 20 x 3 (16 kilos)
• B. Three sets of:
• B1. Slingshot – 15/15 (16 kilos)
• B2. Halo – 10/10 (12 kilos)
• B3. Figure 8 – 20 (16 kilos)
• C. Hand-to-hand swing – 20 x 3 (16 kilos)
• D. Three sets of:
• D1. Snatch to windmill – 12/12
• D2. Squat to crush curl – 10
• E. Three sets of:
• E1. Lying overhead tricep extension to sit-up – 20
• E2. Leg lifts – 20

Doing kettlebell swings from my room at Kalinaw Resort, Siargao.****

I wouldn’t advise working out after a massage, being all oiled up and slippery. But I’m glad I did it.

Friday : That’s today and I’m back in Cebu. My body is screaming for a massage. I also got invited to a Zee Lifestyle party tonight at [The Loft ]

Bon weekend , everyone!