Cycle of hope

Even from the start it's been suspect on how long one-legged triathlete Rudy Fernandez would last inside Pinoy Big Brother's house. Besides being over aged, Rudy's disability really hampered his performance such as dancing and game challenges. Producer Linggit Tan must have been thinking on the same line when she called me to PBB house. Linggit said she believes Rudy is more effective outside being a free spirit than being caged inside a "stable". True, being his coach, confidant, manager and brother rolled into one for the past 20 years, I know Rudy from head to foot. So on the morning of eviction night where Rudy together with two other housemates were to be "sentenced", we discussed Rudy beyond PBB.

5,000 KM. Cycling

Linggit said she wants to give a shot at Rudy's dream of raising one million pesos for Bantay Bata. She showed me a draft of the proposed Trans-Philippines cycling event which would take Rudy to over 17 cities around the country for a total of 5,000 kilometers. Linggit also said a timetable of 17 days is all we could avail of since she wants Rudy to be at the venue of the finals set on April 1, at the Manila Post Office. She also gave us 2 weeks to train which I said was rather impossible. Imagine, cycling from Aparri to Baguio to Davao and to the Visayas. If it were 20 years ago I would say it's possible but Rudy is now 59 therefore his body can't take the punishment of covering 5,000 kilometers in 17 days. I also suggested to replace the event title from Mang Rudy's Nationwide Bike Caravan to Project Rudy-Cycle of Hope to which Linggit agreed. I told Linggit the project is a good one however we need better preparation and coordination. One thing for sure, the Cycle of Hope will definitely push through probably after the PBB finals. Watch for it!

Pasig International Marathon

A lot of runners were on the edge of their seats as chaos reigned two days before the Pasig International Marathon, prompting President Gloria Arroyo to declare a state of national emergency. The runners who came from the different parts of the country were scared the race will be postponed for the reason the marathon will finish at the Fort Bonifacio Global City. We all know that movement around the Fort's perimeter was restricted. But came Saturday it was a bit quite at the western front, paving the way for Sunday's run.

Marathoners

Several members of the Cebu Executive Runners Club including President Roel Militar, Dodong Sulatre, Dr. Vic Verallo, Sergio Amora, Billy Tan, Oscar Lopez, Steve Ferraren and 70 year-old Rening Ylaya, would not be denied with their date with glory. Rening, who owns a best time of 4:20 in the marathon was sponsored by Sen. Pia Cayetano, a duathlete herself. Our newest member New Yorker John Cline also ran in the 10K event. I was a doubtful starter because of an injury but nevertheless found myself running in the 5K event. I didn't sleep a wink that night after meeting the evicted Rudy Fernandez from PBB house and later accompanying him to nearby Rembrant Hotel. Running with some members of the Direct Link RC allowed me to finish despite pain in my knee due to a recurrent ligament tear. Remate's Ed Paez however quipped "Matanda ka na Tsong". Ed Paez who is also president of San Fernando Runners Club is again inviting me to carry the torch during the Araw Ng Kagitingan Death March Ultra - Marathon on April 9. I've been running the 104-kilometer relay for years now where we trace the actual route of the Death March from Mariveles, Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga. I told Ed I might not be able to join since I've got to listen to my bad knees while looking forward to Carlos Santana's concert that falls on the same week. Anyway congratulations to Vic Sergio, Steve and Billy you are now full-pledged marathoners. And also to Roel, Dodong, Oscar and Rening for another marathon completed.