It was a regular after-work-hit-the-gym day.  It was going to be just me sweating it out in boxing or running at Red Corner.  Bubba was coming from a 7pm meeting at work so it was just the perfect timing to set out my plan.  Right after workout, I hurriedly ran from Crown Plaza to Tater’s at Robinson’s Galleria to order all the Tater’s grub that we can carry. 

Like a Taters maniac, I chanted 2 big orders of their fried potato chips in nacho cheese flavor, one order of their munchers (which are nuggets of potato and other fillings) with sour cream, steak burger with cheese, and nachos with everything on it.

I also made a mad dash to Magoo’s to order pizza since it’s been a year since we last had Magoo’s pizza on biscuit dough.  I ran out of time in preparing everything before Bubba arrived.  I had to go back to the gym to prepare my gym bag and meet him there.  I asked the Taters guy if I can just get the food I ordered later and instructed him to place the placard among the yummy eats I bought.  He willingly obliged.

I sprinted back to Crowne Plaza (I had a better workout doing the errands going back and forth.  I shouldn’t have showered after gym after all) and met Bubba, huffing and puffing, like I just stepped out of the lockers.  All the sweat played into the role that I was at the gym this whole time. 

We were right in time for the 10pm screening of 88 Minutes that stars Al Pacino.  He went to buy the tickets and I excused myself to sprint back to Magoo’s, which is all the way to the other wing of the mall.

Finally, all the food was laid on the table all for Bubba to see and enjoy during the movie.  

Huff-puff.

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/425/08_0416-_Bubbas_Taters_Treat

Dec. 27, 2007. Only 3 days before they flew in, we got information that no-holds barred specialists are hitting Manila. I didn’t believe it at first until I actually saw the posters plastered near Crowne Plaza Hotel. I called Red Corner Boxing and Fitness Gym to confirm that they have arrived and actually doing their training at the same gym I work out at!!! Isn’t that crazy???

Since I was in a long meeting in the morning, Mitch was nice enough to do me a favor. She went to the local photo center in our building, Digiprint, and had several photos printed with my instructions. 5×7 photos of Christian’s action shots during his last fight back in URCC 7 were in glossy and matte sheets.

During lunch break, I dragged Mitch with me to Crown Plaza to see them and get their autograph (I have never asked anyone for an autograph. When Ethan of Survivor Africa was here, it was my friend King who got the autograph for me, other than that, I have never asked for autographs) so it took a lot of guts for me to ask for one. I’m glad Mitch was there to support me. My nerves were essentially shaking and I was too excited to get my words out right. Good thing that all of them were actually nice, although I find Ken Shamrock too arrogant even in person. Before I came up to him, he was actually making fun along with his group some Taiwanese guys who came out of the pool area.

“Babalu” even invited Mitch and me out for lunch, but we declined because we had to go back to the office. Besides, I heard from the grapevine that this guy is kind of a loose canon. After getting the enlarged photos signed as my surprise for Chris, we hurried back to the office totally forgetting that we haven’t eaten anything.

Dec. 28, 2007. Weigh-in and fighter’s orientation. Since Chris wanted to go, I conceded. I wanted to practice shooting anyway. My Canon 350 D DLSR is just collecting dust.

While people were scramming to get the fighters’ autograph, (I was at ease because I got the signatures the day before), Babalu spotted me with Chris and said hello. He asked if Chris was my boyfriend or brother. Chris and I gave each other a meaningful look and smiled (inside info/joke). Richard Lasprilla replied on my behalf and said boyfriend.

One by one, the fighters step in the weighing scale. Team Gracie had a problem with Rico Rodriguez’ weight because it exceeded the range. (Moment of silence) Ok, let me just say that seeing Rico Rodriguez strip is not a happy sight. It was a moment I won’t forget though (grin).

Dec. 29, 2007

Platinum Fighting Productions brought in one of the biggest Mixed Martial Arts event in the country, Ring of Fire. MMA fans were in fits and thrills to watch some of the world’s leading MMA fighters at the Big Dome of Araneta Coliseum. After the Manila show, Platinum Productions will host fights in Korea, Japan and hopefully back to Manila again.

A friend gave Chris a patron ticket to the show. One. But we managed to get another one from another source. On the day before the event, Alvin also gave us tickets (lower box) and we were able to invite Chris’ cousin and his friend. On the day itself, we were handed a couple more and we had a surplus of Patron tickets that we didn’t know what to do with. I invited friends from High School who are UFC fans and they were able to make it and saw the second fight. The selling price of the tickets were too high, the Patron ones selling at almost PHP 10 grand. I guess this is one of the reasons why the crowd gathered to watch was smaller than expected, aside from the fact that promotions might have been a bit late. It didn’t create that much buzz about the event. I was even the one who spread the news to friends, who had no idea at all.

4 teams participated in this event namely Team Gokor, Team Shamrock, Team Barnett and the favorite haling from Brazil, Team Gracie. Team Gokor pitted to compete against Team Barnett while Team Shamrock against Team Gracie. The winning fighters advanced to the finals in Macau China. The fights as seen on UFC was staged in the circular enclosed shaft called the Pentagon.

Kudos to Platinum Productions because mixed martial arts enthusiast like me got to see legends like Royce Gracie, my ultimate crush, Royler Gracie and Ken Shamrock. Mario Yamasaki, one of the better-known referees, officiated the fights. Among the other popular stars are Jeff Monson, Renato “Babalu” Sobral, Rico Rodriguez, and Heath Herring.

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/303/07_1207-_Team_Gracie_in_Red_Corner_Ortigas#

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/304#

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/305#

Album: http://cushee.multiply.com/photos/album/308/07_1209-_Ring_of_Fire

My Bubba was promoted to purple belt last Nov. 10 during the DEFTAC BJJ clinic in WAP. Too bad I was not able to witness it but I’m very proud of my Bubba for getting promoted. Since then, he’s been supporting his blue belt because he still didn’t have the actual purple belt… so I decided to order one and surprise him =)

After three weeks of not having a purple belt when you needed one, I planned out a small surprise at the Red Corner Gym, Intercontinental Hotel, Makati, where we always go for boxing and fitness.

When he went to change in the lockers, I immediately sneaked out of the girl’s lockers and hurried to the BJJ area. Atty. Erwin helped me place the sign and belt at the top of the speedball thingy since I was too small to reach it. I snuck back to the lockers to get the camera. When I came out, he already saw it and I totally missed his reaction. Good thing he was beaming when I saw him. He was supposed to do some chores first before getting the purple belt but he got too excited… well, he did the tasks on the task card which were 30 push-ups, 30 crunches nonstop, 3 cartwheels, 5 minutes in the treadmill with speed 10 (he didn’t do this!) 20 claps then shout “Yay! I have my grimace belt!”