Torch Relay

For a moment, I thought I would never get to carry this year's SEA Games torch. Since I was in Iloilo, after organizing the highly successful Governor's Cup Kiddies Run, I was sure to miss the torch, which was then being relayed in Cebu. However on the eve of November 16 I got a call from Iloilo City Sports Development officer Jojo Castro that I will be one of the eleven bearers together with one-legged triathlete Rudy Fernandez who will carry the SEA Games torch to the boundary of the city the following morning before it will be brought by a vehicle to Aklan.

Carrying the torch is no stranger to me as I've been a "suki" for I don't know how long. The most memorable however was in 1989 when I was designated as "freedom runner" to carry the torch from Makati to the EDSA Shrine in Origas during the EDSA Revolution Anniversary. I've been carrying the torch for the past 10 years while tracing the actual route of the Death March from Mariveles, Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga. Of course I've been carrying the torch during the Tri Medialympics. We also had a torch relay to drumbeat awareness of the Busan, Korea Asian Games, where we carried the torch from Santander to Cebu City. Although Iloilo City had been left out as a SEA Games venue, Mayor Jerry Treñas still supported the relay when the torch arrived from Bacolod City. Iloilo should have been awarded the football event, as it is the Ilonggos' number one sport. Just take a look at the national team; it is composed mostly of Ilonggos, pero Nyok Puentevella said "kadto na lang kamo sa Bacolod". After brief send-off ceremonies at the Freedom Grandstand, Mayor Treñas fired off the run.

Queen City Run

Although the Queen City Run was not as grand compared to previous staging of the event, the race nevertheless was a success. So many activities happening in Cebu City at the same time affected the turn out. The SEA Games and the Ad Congress happening at the same month really took some glitter on the run. Some runners also didn't want to make adjustments to the new schedule that for the first time was done in the afternoon. Race director Max Telford asked me about the runners' reaction to the change. I told Max I've been running in the North Star Run in Paoay, Ilocos Norte for a long time and the race starts at 4:00 pm. But the only difference is that conditions in Paoay are better since "walay traffic ug aso".

Traffic in Mandaue was horrible with vehicles emitting a lot of smoke. Traffic at the bridge also stopped prompting our club, the Cebu Executive Runners Club that included Dodong Sulatre, Roel Militar, Dr. Felix Barrera, Dr. Philine Barrera, Rodrigo Ababat, Rening Ylaya, Bernard Salcedo and myself, to get down from our vehicles and ran towards the starting line at the Lapu-Lapu City Hall. In other words, we still ran the original 13 kilometers when the QCR first saw the light.

Midnight Run

Due to the clamor of most runners, we are re-scheduling the 5th City Sports Club 5K Midnight Run on December 18. Registration starts tomorrow at the PSC Office at the Cebu City Sports Center, the DepEd Office c/o Presing Capangpangan and at the City Sports Club Cebu in the Cebu Business Park c/o Rey Fuentes. Some of the sponsors backing the race are Waterfresh Distilled Drinking Water, Ben Café, Cebu Holdings Inc., Adidas, Rudy Project, Island Grill Express and & DOT Sports. Registration fee is P 125.00, which entitles the participant a singlet and midnight snacks.