Allianz Conquer Challenge and Ninja OCR Series - Philippines

With Jay Lim from Pretty Huge Obstacles, formally Obstacle Sports Factory

I had the opportunity to film a World OCR affiliated event in Filinvest City Alabang, Philippines a few days ago, and had an absolute blast. The event hosted 3 race distances: 100 meter Ninja Course, 400 meter Team Ninja Course, and a 5K obstacle course. I would have to say that this organization is one of the reasons why the Philippines, if not Asia for that matter, is on the map for obstacle course racing. The POSF, Pilipinas Obstacle Sports Federation which is a branch of  World OCR based in Switzerland, this organization has been working hard in helping the sport of OCR gain momentum to possibly hit the main stage. And being part of the SEA Games, they are well on their way to paving the way for what some might say, the Olympics.

Watch Obstacle Course Racing Videos from Around the World on OCRTUBE

Being part of the official media commission of World OCR, I am excited to be part of this growth and helping in any way that I can. Although the sport of obstacle course racing has been around for awhile now, it has still not received mainstream recognition, and this is one of the reasons why I developed, started, and committed to my OCRTUBE media project, which is to help the sport grow worldwide through creative media channels. The sport is growing super fast in Asia, and that is because the organizations here are so passionate about it, and I am just glad to be right in the middle of all the excitement.

With the Founder Al Agra of POSF, considered the Godfather of OCR in the Philippines.

Also present, Marcus, my Videographer/Media assistant in the Philippines. 

Anyways, just wanted to share my quick 4 minute recap from the Allianz Conquer Challenge and the Ninja OCR Series which happened last weekend here in Manila, Philippines. Being based here in the Philippines for the time being, I would encourage you all to come visit. There are a lot of OCR related activities, and it's an amazing way to see how the sport is growing here in Asia. Feel free to connect with me and I would be happy to show you around. =)

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Allianz Conquer Challenge - Ninja OCR Series - Filinvest City, Philippines (2019)

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WORK. FAMILY. TRAVEL

Coffee Time with my girls - Figaro at SM South Tower, Philippines

I just wanted to share this video that I posted on youtube a few days ago. Even though I haven't been posting on my new Youtube Channel "Lagalag Mafia" as much as I had planned, I would have to say that I really enjoy creating family videos, I just love re-living the memories!

Originally, I wanted to start my Lagalag Mafia Channel as a way to keep my family posted on my new life here in the Philippines, and trust me, that is and will always be my goal for that channel, but I also would like to share more of my travels with my family as well. Since moving to the Philippines in January 2019, I have been trying to play catch up on work, and just trying to have a routine. I think the most difficult part is the travel aspect of everything. I still travel for video projects, but I also have other video work-related  requests which keeps me from really having that routine, because it takes a lot of time during the week, and that's when I normally work on my other online businesses. I think that I just have to tell myself that with what I do with my video projects, online businesess, travel, and family, I will just never have an actual routine until I can stay at home or in one place, and have less on my plate.

I love what I do, and if any of you travel for work and have families, I'm sure that you can feel my struggle =). I can't complain though, because I am able to see my family a lot more, as well as see the world, but I just hope that soon I will be able to take my family along with me as much as I can, and that's what I'm working hard for these days =)

I have always traveled on my own, so my budget wasn't as high, but that's all changing with raising a new family......again =). With Arlene being a traveler/hiker, she is always up for more adventures, so it's time to go back to even more of my work and hustle mindset so that we can do more things together!

Good news though, I just got into the Crypto Trading space and currently doing some training to learn more about the industry. Call me a nerd, but I just have this burning desire to learn about the 1600+ digital currency and decentralized applications out there! I have always believed in doing things all digital, so I am very excited about learning more, and being part of the growth of Cryptocurrency around the world. So stay tuned for some videos on how I'm doing with my trading, and I hope to also help some of you earn a little extra with some Bitcoin Trading.

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I'm using the Binance Exchange for Crypto Trading

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My latest news on my workouts with Arlene, we are still trying to finish up our 3 Week Yoga program, and I think we should be done by this week. Again, it's taking us awhile to finish because of how busy I am, but we've also been doing other workouts in and around the yoga program, so that's not all we're doing =). After we have completed our yoga program, we may go into the 21 Day Fix program, or something called a Little Obsessed =) Keep in mind, Arlene really hasn't done a proper workout program before, and after having a baby, she cannot go straight into anything hardcore, so with those workouts that I mentioned above, they would be perfect. As for me, yes I fell a bit off the wagon (I hate myself for that btw), so either of those programs would be considered an on ramp to getting my fit back. All in all, I'm just excited to be doing a workout program with Arlene.

Try the 3 Week Yoga Retreat FREE for 14 days!

Anyways, here is my latest VLOG, and I promise I will try to post more, at least for the people who enjoy my videos, I will try to bring you more content. =)

WORK. TRAVEL FAMILY

Watch more here

Couples Yoga Workout

So my fiancé and I are almost done with our 2nd week of our Couples Yoga Program. We are doing a 3 week program called the 3 Week Yoga retreat, and to be quite honest, it is taking us longer than three weeks, and here's why.

As a Full Time Beachbody Coach, I have always advised my customers to try to follow the program as close to the calendar as possible, I mean...that would be ideal. For most of us, including myself these days, my life has just been super crazy with a newborn, work travel, and just trying to find a routine in a new country. Are these excuses? In a way they are, but in a way they aren't. Yes, I used that word ha ha! =)

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When Arlene and I decided to start a workout program together, we thought that Yoga would be perfect to start our journey together. Towards the end of 2018, I was doing a lot of travel for my OCRTUBE media project and it was very difficult to stick with anything, let alone working out. I did what I could like running and lifting weights here and there, but I completely lost having a routine.

Hiking is something that Arlene and I did a lot of before baby Penelope was born. Arlene has been a hiker for many years, conquering almost 30 mountains in the Philippines. I will be honest when I tell you that she can climb way better than I can, she is a complete BEAST when it comes to hiking tropical mountains. And then the baby came........

Baby Penelope was born on October 27th, 2018. And that is when both of us really slowed down on our active routines.

Long story short, we decided to do yoga because of the few months we didn't do much, i felt like i became less flexible and weaker in my core. Arlene has really never done a proper workout program of any kind before. She has only hiked and did a few other things like rowing, and I think that's about it. I didn't want for us to get into a crazy workout routine and get injured right off the bat, so that's why we felt that yoga would be a good starting place.

The 3 Week Yoga Retreat has been perfect for us, and although we have missed some days, we are doing every day of the program when we can. A couple days, we skipped out on the yoga and did some cardio workouts, but we would go back to where we left off with the yoga retreat. Now I know, it's not the best way to do a program, but this is just our way of getting our groove back.

We do feel that we are getting much better, and I definitely feel much stronger in my core and legs. I think that by doing this together, it is really helping us. We are very supportive towards one another, and never force anything upon each other. I think the key with starting a workout program with your partner is to first have a good understanding of each other, our weaknesses and our strengths, and to always respect each other during the process. Its ok to motivate and make jokes about each other being lazy, but as long as we take turns being the accountability partner, then things just find a way to get us back on the mat. There have been a few times where I just felt super lazy, but because of Arlene, and how she talks to me with her soft and non-forceful way, it reminds me of why we started this together in the first place.

Why did we decide to do this?

Well, there are a number of reasons other than getting back into shape. I think we just feel that being healthy and active for our daughters (Lauren and Penelope), it's just a good way to lead by example. We both love to travel, so by being fit and healthy, we know that this is key to our happiness during our travels. We also want to make sure that we are fit enough to be active with our kids as well, that is so important.

Anyways, we are almost done with our 2nd week, and then we just have another week to go. We do have plans to moving straight to another program together upon finishing our yoga, no doubt about that. And whether I like it or not, I think yoga will always have to be a priority at least once per week. I am actually working on the day when I can finally say that I love yoga....that will be the day where I can say that I've really made it. =)

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OCRTUBE Stock Video Footage by Arnel Banawa

Photo Credit: Harm Dommisse

Since starting to play with my Gopro that I bought from my brother back in 2011, I have amassed hours of video footage. Mostly from my travel adventures and races that I've shot around the world, I am slowly but surely creating my stock video footage collection on Storyblocks and various stock agencies.

Gopro has always been my "GO TO" camera 

Filming Tough Mudder with the First-Ever Gopro 

I decided to do this as per request of many athletes and fellow travelers that I have met during the my many years of globetrotting. Of course I will not be uploading all the footage that I have because a lot of footage has been purchased by companies that I've worked with, and I also have to respect the privacy of the many athletes and travelers that I have shot. If you have seen me at a race, and would like to request video footage of you, just simply message me directly and I can assist you with that =)

OCRTUBE Media Project

CHECK OUT MY STOCK VIDEO FOOTAGE COLLECTION HERE

I will be uploading footage to my stock video collection every week, so feel free to keep checking to see if I have any footage you may need for your own video projects. 100% of the proceeds from my stock video footage portfolio will be going back into my OCRTUBE media project to help the sport of OCR continue to grow around the world, as well as doing FREE media production for global charities. You can learn more about my media project here. #PayOCRforward

Are you ready to sort through some stock video footage? Take a look by clicking here!  I specialize in obstacle course racing, travel, and drone footage.

Check out my stock video portfolio!

OCRTUBE Stock Video Collection by Arnel Banawa

Related Links:

- Ask me how I can film your next event for FREE. I am available to travel all over the world. Contact me here. (ocrtube@gmail.com)

Forza Obstacle Run - Taguig, Philippines

Watch Video below

Had such a blast at this local race! One of my favorite things to do is to support the local races everywhere that I go. The family who owns Forza were super hospitable to me, and the drive they have to be successful was absolutely inspiring.

Arlene and I made a nice little weekend family vacation and stayed in Taguig a little before and after filming the Forza Obstacle Run event. We went to one of our favorite filipino restaurants called Heritage at the SM Aura, so friggin good!!! My friends, if you are ever in the Philippines and would like to really try some authentic filipino food prepared with high quality ingredients, make sure to go to Heritage, just note that the staff only speak tagalog, so just bring me along with you, and I can translate for you ha ha =)

Oyo 128 Hotel in Taguig, Philippines

(Only $33 USD for two nights)

Heritage Restaurant - SM Aura

So anyways, here is a quick 3 minute video recap that I did for my OCRTUBE.com media project, tell me what you think =)

Oh and of course I just wanted to give a shout out to my Patreon Supporters, and Media Sponsors for always helping me with my project all over the world.

Huge thanks to:
- Strength & Speed
- OCRvest.eu 

Please take some time to visit my media sponsors and see what they're all about =)

Forza Obstacle Run - Taguig, Philippines

Watch more videos here

Ask me how I can film your event for FREE, contact me here!

Here is my activity tracker during the filming of the Forza Obstacle Run

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Spartan Race Malaysia

Ravi, Me, and Bernie

This was my second time in Malaysia.

The first time I was here was two years ago when I filmed the Viper Challenge in Cyberjaya, and the first-ever Spartan Ultra Beast in Asia which was at Johor (JB). The one thing that I really remember was the scorching heat!!! Now I've filmed and been to some of the most hottest places on the planet, but for some reason....every time I come to Malaysia, I feel like I'm literally inside of a volcano, it's just one of the most crucial environments for me to film. Coming to a conclusion on why I feel this way, I believe it is because the lack of trees around the country. Yes, there are trees, but I just don't see a lot of them. And maybe these obstacle racing companies just prefer to build courses at places where trees are not prevalent. I mean, I am currently based in the Philippines, and it really does get very hot and humid here, but there are trees. Not that they help a lot, but at least they are there.

Watch the FIRST Spartan Ultra Beast in Asia

Anyways, trust me....I am not complaining because it was an epic event, a umbrella hat may come in useful for the next time I am here =).

Also, the food was pretty good that I can remember, but this time around I had some friends who had family there, and they took me to some amazing places, so my experience with the local cuisine was much more memorable this time. I'm currently looking for a really good Indian/Malaysian restaurant in Manila Philippines now, so if any of you reading this know of a place like this, please let me know! =)

So here's the Spartan Race Malaysia Video Recap that I did for my OCRTUBE.com media project. It was a blast, and looking forward to more upcoming video projects all throughout Asia this year!

Spartan Race Malaysia - Semenyih Eco Venture Park

watch more videos 

To learn more about my OCRTUBE media project, click here!

Now that I am back in Manila, I can continue my 3 Week Yoga Program that I started with my fiancé.  Just one week of Yoga made me feel super good when I was on the obstacle course in Malaysia. I have two more weeks to go, and then we will begin another workout program together. If you are not incorporating yoga into your OCR training, you are fooling yourself. The founder of Spartan Race (Joe Desena) is a big believer in this practice. Give it a go, I'm sure it will help you with your results! 

If any of you would like to workout with us online, feel free to message me, the more the merrier! =) 

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Related:

- Buy Stock Video footage from OCRTUBE

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Travel:

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Venice Grand Canal in the Philippines

Venice Grand Canal Philippines

I wanted to take my fiancé Arlene to Venice, Italy for Valentines Day, but that didn't happened. But I did end up taking her to the Venice Grand Canal in Taguig, Manila Philippines =)

How I Travel 7+ Months Per Year

Here's a quick video of what we did, and why I decided to take Arlene to this special place. I hope that you all had a Happy Heart Day. If you're ever in Manila, I recommend checking out this place!

Venice Grand Canal in the Philippines

Check out my new Family Vlog Channel on Youtube

Venice Grand Canal Gondola Prices: 

- 250-300 php per person (4 ppl min)

If you want the whole boat to yourself, you would have to pay for 4 people. 

- Special Occasions like Valentines Day, the rate was 400 php per person. We did the Valentines Special for 2000 php which included: Gondola Ride, Crudite and Champagne, Balloon and Rose, Candle Light Dinner for Two. Definitely was worth it! 

Before checking out the Venice Grand Canal, we had breakfast at this place called the Coffee Project. It's by far one of my favorite coffee shops in the Philippines. It's a bit pricey for the Philippines, but the portions and the quality of the food is bar none! Highly recommended =) 

Coffee Project Las Pinay, Manila Philippines

Top 8 Ways Beachbody Has Changed My Life