PBA shoots down Aswangs

Barely had I warmed my butt upon arrival in Iloilo City, we were off for Roxas City to catch the highlight of the Aswang Festival now known as Lupad Capiznon (same dog different collar?) After a successful debut last year, the festival got a lot of opposition from the church and other organizations claiming that the event was doing more harm than good for the City's image. In face to a 200-strong caravan was held in protest to the staging of the festival. Anyway the festival went on as scheduled but the protestors which had the blessings of the Provincial Capitol under Gov. Vic Bermejo staged a PBA game at the Capiz Gym that was filled up to the rafters.

And the spectators really got their money's worth as the game between San Miguel Beer and Air 21 went down into double overtime before the Beermen triumphed. We were surprised when we got to Roxas just before lunch, as the City was a virtual ghost town. Well, the ghosts were supposed to take over the next day yet being All Saints Day. We were told that the festival was stopped when things went out of control.

My cousin, Romy Buncalan who operates RML Manokan the biggest eatery in Roxas City specializing in chicken "inasal", told me that there was a stabling and shooting incident in the plaza that resulted to one person killed. Well, the organizers saw it coming. The festival, which was aimed to shatter the myth that Capiceños are "aswangs" could not take away that tag. I was informed that several PBA players carried "bawangs" (garlic) just in case an "aswang" appears. I'm sure the organizers learned their lessons that "aswangs" cannot hold a candle against high-flying PBA players. Why not improve historical events like the Halaran? In fact I was offered last year to include a footrace as part of the festival but I politely turned it down. Besides, what shall I call the race, the Aswang 10K Run? Well, aswang don't run, they fly.

Seafood Capital

Just in case you don't know, Capiz is the seafood of the Philippines. Romy, a former VP of the Capiz Gun Club brought me to the boulevard where seafood restaurants and kiosks cover something like a one-kilometer stretch. Capiz is also famous for "alimango". The largest bell in South East Asia is found in Panay Church, a few kilometers away from the city while several caves and mountain await the more adventurous. So you see, there are more things to do in Capiz than think of aswangs.

Kiddie Run

Preparations for the first-ever Governor's Cup Kiddies Run are now in full gear with more support pouring in. Trans Asia Shipping, Burlington Socks, ABS-CBN and ICSEC Kaplan are just some of the latest sponsors of the run that fires off on Sunday at the SM City, Iloilo parking lot. The other sponsors are Casa Ilongga, Faforma, Kings Oil, Serve Well Drinking Water, McDonalds, Milo, Panay News and the Province of Iloilo.

Midnight Run

The 5th Cebu Midnight 5K Run will be staged on December 11 in front of the City Sports Club Cebu at the Cebu Business Park. The race will again be limited to 400 runners on a first served basis. Registration starts on November 15 at the PSC Office at the Cebu City Sports Center and at the City Sports Club Cebu c/o Rey Fuentes.