Mecca of football

As promised I wanted to write tips on how to finish a full 42K marathon but I was intrigued by an article on Cebu footbal. No doubt about it football is on the rise in Cebu but the question is how long will it last? It also said that Cebu's goal is to replace Iloilo and Negros as the Mecca of the Philippine football. Not that I'm an Ilonggo but sad to say it's not an easy task to take away the game the Ilonggos and Negrenses loved best. Maybe the success of the Aboitiz Cup where over 200 teams participated was one of the signals. But have you ever watch a game in Barotac Nuevo in Iloilo or in Bacolod? The stadium is filled to the rafters. In contrast I've observed some official games in Cebu that looked like practice games. Grame Mackinnon swore he had never seen such big crowds there. And how come Cebu always bites the dust when they play against Iloilo or Negros? In the last U19 Visayas Championship for instance, newspapers bannered Cebu as consistent. Yes, consistent in losing to Iloilo and Bacolod with similar 1-3 scores. Again, not that I'm Ilonggo but it will take sometime or may never even happen at all for Cebu to replace Iloilo and Negros as the center for football. Take a look at previous and current national teams. The members are either from Iloilo or Negros. Who could forget the likes of Elmer Bedia, the Araneta brothers and Ramsey Padernilla just to mention a few. Well there's nothing wrong with aiming for that goal but as I've said it will take sometime. Beat the Ilonggos and Negrenses in other games but never in football. It's a crime over there Don't you agree Francis Rodriguez?

UST Growling Tigers

The day after UST toppled Ateneo for this years's UAAP crown. My phone was deluged with messages congratulating me for predicting a Tigers victory. As I said in a previous column, it's not that I'm from La Salle, therefore picking UST but for one, I know UST has got Ateneo's number. But did you know a weapon rookie coach Pido Jarencio (another Ilonggo), unleashed against the Eagles? Well it's an exercise technique called "plyometrics". Plyometrics is a strengthening program that is incorporated with speed. And it was my good friend Manny Calipes, UST track and field coach who implemented the program. Manny used to assist me in my races in Baguio and Manila and later on in the triathlon. Manny who was also the strength and conditioning coach of Talk N' Text revealed that they only adapted the program four months ago. The players did a lot of running and strengthening work-outs including jumping over 3-foot hurdles. When they started the program only about four players could dunk but soon nine players were slamming the ball. In other words the Tigers were in better condition than the Eagles. Did you also know that even the Boston Celtics took ballet lessons in order to improve their flexibility? Congratulations Manny you've proven the magic of running.

Lady Of Lourdes 5K Run

Registration to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes 5K Run on October 29 is in full swing at the Punta Princesa Pastoral Office at the Lourdes Church and at the PSC office at the Cebu City Sports Center. The race is being backed by the Cebu City Sports Commission through councilor Yayoy Alcoseba and Rolly Diorico, Waterfresh Drinking Water and Casa Ilongga Robinsons Place. The run is to drumbeat the Parish's golden anniversary next year. Recently the Lady of Lourdes was designated as an Archdiocesan Shrine. Maybe The Freeman publisher and parishioner Nito Jabat's ailment will disappear the minute he visits the shrine which is an exact replica of the one in France. Who knows Nito might even be running in the race.

Running Epidemic?

Dr. Romy Letigio is putting part of the blame on me of the running epidemic now engulfing Cebu. Romy said since I infected him he has not stop running and blames me for his aches and pains as a result of his non-stop running. Cebu Executive Runners Club president Roel Militar is in far worse predicament. Roel recently had an MIR and doctors said he has water in his knee and will be out of commission for awhile. Get well buddy. Another infected runner is Dr. Yong Larrazabal of Cebu Doctors Hospital.