World master scam

As early as December last year, the PSC's Manny Ibay informed me that I was selected together with Rening Ylaya to the National Team that will compete in the XVI World Masters Athletics set August 22-September 3 in Donastia, San Sebastian, Spain. Of course, Rening and I were excited to compete with the world's best that will probably include Olympian Carl Lewis and Marlene Ottey. The National Team was supposed to be bannered by Asia's former fastest woman Mona Sulaiman, SEA Games veterans, Dorie Cortejo, Linda Lavandia, Isidro Del Prado, Saturnino Salazar, Danny Jarina, Rey Antoque and Elma Muros. As we were preparing for the Games, a certain Jonas approached head of delegation Manny Ibay and said that his boss, a politician from Bicol offered to sponsor the whole team.

We were excited and thrilled, imagine we don't have to beg from the PSC for the trip and besides we all know that the sports body could probably send just few considering the competition is in Europe. And again, we know that the country is spending a lot by hosting the SEA Games this year. On the other hand, Rening was soliciting from his Cebuano supporters for our participation. After a series of meetings, Manny said, it's all systems go for the team. However just last week Manny called me up to inform that we are calling off our trip. We almost became a tool for a scam as we gathered reports that several people headed by Jonas were going around soliciting funds as big as P 300,000.00 for those intending to join the National Team. At this juncture, the group decided to pull out of the Games to protect would-be participants.

We waited for Jonas to appear again but he probably got wind of our trap and never showed up. By this time, deadline for registration to the Games already expired. Although Rening and I were assured of support we decided to sympathize with our Manila teammates and will likewise skip the championships. Since we committed a team, we are sending a token in Elma and Lavandia just to save face. Meanwhile I told Rening "Naay marathon sa España next month, España gud! kanang duol sa UST nga sigeg baha". Anyway we will concentrate for next year's Asian Masters Track and Field Championship in Tokyo, Japan.

All set for FREEMAN 10K run

Everything is all set for this Sunday's The Freeman 86th Anniversary 10K Run that fires off infront of the City Sports Club Cebu in the Cebu Business Park. We are expecting some 500 runners including The Freeman employees who will compete in the 3K run. The top three finishers in this category will receive P 1,000.00, P 750.00 and P 500.00 respectively. In the main 10K event the champions in the male and female divisions will each receive P4,000.00, the second placers P 2,000.00 and the third placers P1,000.00. Winners in both male and female divisions will also receive trophies. The fourth to tenth placers will likewise receive cash prizes and medals.

All participants will receive singlets and certificates while getting a chance to win fabulous prizes in the raffle. The race is being co-sponsored by Waterfresh Drinking Water, San Miguel Corporation, Timex, Prycegas, and Tachelin Classical Clocks while being backed by the City Sports Club Cebu, Cebu Holdings Inc., UR 105, Home Radio, Graphic Star, Seiko, ERUF, Comm 15, Cebu City Sports Center and the PSC Region VII. Registration is now on going at the PSC Region VII at the Cebu City Sports Center and at The Freeman Advertising/HR Department.