AERIAL VIEW OF ZAMBOANGA CITY: BEFORE (2005) AND AFTER (2012)!

I really just want to revisit this post done in September 2012 because this story (and pictures) are special to me. But, I also added some new points!

I haven't had the chance of "flying" over Zamboanga City again, but when I saw the really beautiful aerial pictures of my friend, Sixto Kwan (Six2K), I asked him if I can use his photos in this blog!

I'd like to compare Zamboanga City, before (circa 2005) and after (circa 2012) but of course, the angulations would be different considering the different photographers and more so, different chopper pilots!!!

I actually want to share the changes in Zamboanga City topography rather than compare picture quality!

Here goes:

Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (MCIC)

2005

Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (MCIC) in 2005

2012

Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (MCIC) in 2012

The two pictures are shown in different angulations: the 2005 picture viewing Mindpro mall (white box-like building on our left side) while the 2012 picture viewing Ateneo De Zamboanga University.
Can't really figure out if there are obvious new buildings in the Pueblo area. I am not expecting any big change, though, since this was a congested area in the first place.

What I can say was that the Immaculate Conception Cathedral was much newer then...and of course, the new belfry, too, with the Carillon bells!
But, the rooftops across the MCIC look better in 2012!

Fort Pilar

2005

Fort Pilar in 2005

2012

Fort Pilar in 2012

I guess the position of the photos are similar.
So much has changed since Paseo Del Mar and Plaza Del Pilar did not yet exist around Fort Pilar in 2005.

Inside Fort Pilar, the green shrubs are now taller.
In Fort Pilar, the fountain and the Carillon bells are now seen. The plants are now taller and more green.
Across the Fort Pilar Shrine and across the National Museum, there are very many adobe-roofed stalls lining the area.
And on the right side (our right) of Fort Pilar is another set of adobe-roofed stalls, the Plaza Del Pilar which did not exist then.
It is nice to see the huge acacia trees still in the area of the the plaza Del Pilar. since they add beautiful rustic and vintage character to the area.
Also, I can identify the new Bangko Sentral building in Zamboanga City, in our right upper hand corner near Lantaka Hotel, and across Paseo Del Mar!

Paseo Del Mar
2005

Fort Pilar in 2005

circa 2005: view of back part of Fort Pilar  (Real Fuerza de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza (Royal Fort of Our Lady of the Pillar of Zaragoza) 
in honor of the patron virgin of Spain, Our Lady of the Pillar.

2012

there are now many structures within the Paseo Del Mar but the grandiose dancing and musical fountain, but still maintained a huge park ground to stroll around!

We didn't focus the picture in the Paseo Del Mar area before because it was just a vacant lot.
Paseo Del Mar now has a beautiful musical and dancing fountain as the main attraction and of course, all the food stalls and restaurants which has enlivened the place. You'll now find Tony's Papaitan and Kape Zambo in the new building near the fountain aside from the line of restaurants in the original side like Barcode, Mano-Mano, Alavar's and many others.
All kinds of people come over =  families, couples, friends, get togethers, meet ups and of course, where we bring our visitors and guests from other places.

Nuñez Extension
(now Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue)

2005

viewing Ciudad Medical Zamboanga: Nunez Ext. directed to Ateneo De Zamboanga University 

viewing Ciudad Medical Zamboanga in Nunez Ext. with "lakeside view"
otherwise known as kangkong fields.

2012

viewing Ciudad Medical Zamboanga with Nunez Ext. directed to Camins St. .. CMZ can still have a  mountain or "lakeside" view with the kangkong field still present close to it! This is so because Nunez Extension was opened in the early 2000s

viewing Ciudad Medical Zamboanga with Nunez Ext. directed to Camins St. ... see far beyond to the mountains and see Mt. Pulong Bato and Muruk on our right hand side! By the way, Nunez Extension is now called Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue!!!

Nunez Extension was an almost empty street in 2005 with few establishments other than Ciudad Medical Zamboanga. 

By the way, did you know that Nunez Extension is now called Mayor Vitaliano Agan Avenue?
Yes, it is!
Here is the link:http://www.zamboanga.gov.ph/files/2009/ORD/reg353.pdf

353

AN ORDINANCE "NAMING THE NUÑEZ EXTENSION ROAD" AS "MAYOR VITALIANO D. AGAN AVENUE"

Enacted: 19 Aug 2009 Approved: 26 Aug 2009

The road was named after him because it was in his term as Mayor (1988 to 1998) that they proposed the "Opening of the Nunez Extension Road".
That is why even if the Mayor Agan Avenue (Nunez Extension) is in the center of the City, it is still a relatively new road which opened in the early 2000s.

Well, Zamboanga City has grown to be a more beautiful, slightly urban center.

P.S. 

Thanks Six2K for the new pictures (with watermark).

The older pictures were taken by me in 2005

BEYOND EXPECTATIONS: MED STUDENT GOES XTERRA MAUI 2012

I am sharing this blog because this is an inspiration for the young people to go beyond expectations... to jump over what is normal... and to break barriers of what is typical!

Meet Vicente Lorenzo Oporto Cabahug! (my nephew)

He is a "DOCTOR wanna be!" as his shirt says! He is a ThirdYear Medical Student at the Cebu Doctors' University College of Medicine this 2012-2013. And... Vince as we call him, was Top 2 in his Medicine Class during his First Year! In Second Year, he finished as Top 1 in Class. (We are continually prayerful that he keeps a very good school standing as he goes on with Medical School!)

So what makes Vince different from the rest of the medical students we know aside from excelling in school ?

Here it is: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/sports/2012/11/02/cebuanos-conquer-xterra-world-finals-maui-251384

Cebuanos conquer Xterra world finals in Maui

By Iste S. Leopoldo

Friday, November 2, 2012

BIKING on a volcano, running on a trail with fallen trees and swimming with the dolphins were just some of the things Cebuanos Noy Jopson, Vincent Lorenzo Cabahug and Mateo Guidicelli and 17 other Filipinos had to endure to conquer the Xterra Off-road Triathlon Global Championships in Maui, Hawaii over the weekend along with 600 other athletes.

There were 17 Filipinos who joined the race, which was briefly threatened by a tsunami warning, which was lifted a few hours before the race.

Jong Sajulga of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon finished with the best time among the other Filipinos. He finished in three hours, 23.58 minutes and landed 28th in his age division.

Jopson, who finished 32nd in the 35-39 age group clocked in 3:34.40. Guidicelli (20-24 age group) and Pasig’s Andrew Arellano (30-34) both clocked in 4:02.24. Cabahug, racing in the same division as Guidicelli finished in 4:16.30.

So, What can you say about that?

He started off simply by joining weekend fun runs in Cebu starting with the 3 to 5K runs when he was in Second Year of Med School! (And Cebu has weekly runs ... and more if they would have been permitted!)

Then, during the Intrams in Cebu Doctors' University, he also learned some tips in swimming as part of the Swim Team and played in most games, especially if there were no players available.

Well, he got a handful of medals and a trophy and was casually labelled as "Most Valuable Player" (MVP) during the CDU Intrams in his Second Year in Med School.

I was so curious why he ever thought of joining the Triathlons since both his parents are doctors, Dr. Vicente M. Cabahug, a radiologist and Dr. Jessica Oporto Cabahug, a pediatrician and not necessarily the athletic type, although, his Dad is into biking leisurely together with family. 

with cousin Jeremy Flordelis, Vince, Dad Vicente Cabahug, and uncles, Butch Oporto, dentist Dr. John Sidney Ricamora (author's brother) and Joel Oporto

with Dad, Dr. Vicente Cabahug

My brother, Dr. Sid Ricamora said Vince would just inform them if he has exams for that week and he isn't available or... if he has an hour or so scheduled break, the short time of which he can use to bike with them. Vince would also take more difficult runs along the way.

biking leisurely

One of his friends during fun runs, Rochelle Tan (who comes from a family of athletes) and a Med Tech student also in CDU suggested that he try the Triathlon. And he did!

His parents were apprehensive. Everyone was worried his grades would fall. Friends (of parents) bluntly said it is impossible to combine Med school with extreme sports such as triathlons. I guess, this was one of Vince's motivation to show he could combine both.

Obviously, he couldn't do the full training others would embark on but he was able to be coached during his breaks. I guess later, one of his coaches was Coach Noy Jopson to prepare him for Maui!

The XTerra Cebu, Philippines was in March 18, 2012 (a week before FINAL EXAMS!) while the 70.3 Ironman was in August 5, 2012 (which he also joined) and XTerra Maui, Hawaii was in October 28, 2012.  So definitely, these would be during the  school season and also during summer and semestral vacations. Luckily, most of the qualifiers are also held in Cebu!

Difference of XTerra and Ironman:

Xterra: The world’s premier off-road triathlon, combining a 1.5-kilometer (1-mile) rough water swim, a 30.4-kilometer (18.89-miles) mountain bike and a 9.5-kilometer (5.9 miles) trail run best described as a tropical roller-coaster ride through pineapple fields and forests. (shorter bike trail but more extreme and rough roads)

Ironman: The race, which will be held on Aug. 5 at Shangrila Mactan, is one of the series of middle-distance triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corp. It features the total distance of 70.3 miles, or 113 kilometers, and covers a 1.9-km swim, 90K bike and a 21.1-km run.

He was Top 2 in First Year Med School!
He did ask permission from his apprehensive parents but he made it  to Top 1 in his Med Class in the Second Year 2011-2012, that is, even if he joined XTerra a week before final examinations!!! 
His parents couldn't anymore say no! 
Vince did his part (to study really well!) and all his parents could do is to support his second passion! 
By the way, Cebu Doctors' University is also googled as one of the Top 10 Medical Schools in the Country!

He is such a humble kid. He did not force his parents to buy the most expensive suits or bikes, and all! In fact, he said, he will just borrow a bike from a friend. His parents found out the bike was so heavy and later they found out that bikes for triathlons are of a different make. His parents helped him out with his suits and equipment... not because he demanded... but because they know he needed it... mostly, for safety and ease issues! He did have his share of some falls, wounds and bruises for them to know the value of safety!

When he got his number and other paraphernalia for XTerra in Cebu, he was still wearing his white med school uniform... quite intriguing, right?

He got second place in the XTerra Cebu 2012 for age 20-24, so he got a slot for XTerra World Championships in Maui!

Xterra Phil files: his running form

Xterra Phil files: running

October 28 was semestral vacation for most students but since Vince was Third Year in Med School, he missed about 3 school days just so he could represent the Philippines in the XTerra World  Championships 2012 in Maui, Hawaii!

Proud to represent Philippines in the 2012 XTERRA world championship!=D — at Maui, Hawaii. == Vince's shoutout! 

from Xterra files (google images): This is the Swim Start!
How can we even start!?!

from XTerra files: what can we expect from Maui waves, 
especially just after calling off tsunami warning! 
Definitely exciting for Vince and all triathletes!

Maui Swim Route through the gigantic waves!

 

Maui routes

with Vaseline Men XTerra Philippine Team and Maui 2012 finishers, 
TV host Drew Arellano and Hector Yuzon 
and with beautiful mom, Dr. Jessica Cabahug

Dad Vicente with Vaseline Men XTerra Philippine Team and Maui 2012 finisher, actor Matteo Guidicelli also from Cebu 

relaxed with parents in Maui!

There were about 750 pro and amateur triathletes who joined from all over the world.
Even at the start of the XTerra race, a lot already weren't able to finish the swim versus the huge Maui waves, according to his Dad!
A total of 630 athletes completed the race!
Coach Noy Jopson finished Rank No. 289, TV host Drew Arellano finished Rank No. 441 and Actor Matteo Guidicelli finished Rank No. 442 (Drew and Matteo with same time finish!) while Vince Cabahug finished Rank No. 494 over-all and Rank 17 in his Age 20-24 group!

Well, who would expect a 22-year old Top Medical Student to excel also in Triathlons as proven by finishing the Xterra World Championships in Maui, Hawaii! 
Would there be any other medical students among the triathletes?

In fact, Vince is eyeing other countries, too... would it be Guam... Norway? (but might not fit in his Med School schedules!)

The only limiting factor now is Medical School, which at the moment, which is actually his FIRST priority! 

I expect him to complete this and for him to excel also in the medical field because he comes from a family of doctors... and he has the brains, the personality and the heart!

By the way, he is already a licensed nurse, too!

And he is into something else, too... the World Cube Association which is a contest on the Rubik's Cube, where he also excels. http://www.worldcubeassociation.org/results/p.php?i=2009CABA01

The Rubik's Cube is another of the feats he wants to conquer, using his brains and speed! There are also Speedcubing challenges in Cebu like the Cebu Open.

from Wikipedia:

Speedcubing competitions

Speedcubing (or speedsolving) is the practice of trying to solve a Rubik's Cube in the shortest time possible. There are a number of speedcubing competitions that take place around the world. 

Many speedcubers continue to practice it and other twisty puzzles and compete for the fastest times in various categories. Its international governing body, the World Cube Association, has organised competitions and kept the official world records since 2003.

Everyone is proud of you, Vince! 

You have shown us it is POSSIBLE to go BEYOND EXPECTATIONS!

*   That being Top 1 in Medical School doesn't equate with being a Nerd!

**  That BRAINS and BRAWN can complement each other with discipline, motivation and determination!

*** That all these talents are also complemented with humility and being a normal young man!

just a normal down-to-earth kid with family and friends!

Way to go, Vince! 

Way to go to the Oporto and Cabahug family who has formed him to be a wholesome young man!!

This is the supportive Cabahug family...and he is an only son! 
Here are (R-L): sis Therese (nurse), mom Dr. Jessica, dad Dr. Ite, 
sis Stephanie( nursing student and doc-to-be), Keisha (nurse), Vince  and Dr. Christie Ann!

Be an inspiration to all the young people
... and folks of all ages !!!

P.S. 

1.  I got the parents' permission but not necessarily Vince's permission... hope you don't mind Vince if you have an excited aunt!

2. The pictures in this blog are not mine and were shared by Vince's parents, from Xterra files and from pictures they bought from Maui. 

3. Some pictures are also from their Facebook!