An ace by Papa Rod

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

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Raul Encarnacion, one of my favorite Ateneans, because he went to the University of the Philippines for his college education sent me a text message late Tuesday to inform me that Papa Rod Señido scored an ace on hole No. 13 of Alta Vista Golf and Country Club.

Papa Rod’s hole-in-one was his first and he made it a his very sexy age of 69 years old (oops…I am allowed to print that?).

He used a Callaway 8-iron and a Titleist Solo No. 2 ball for the feat.  The ace was witnessed by Dominic Hing and brothers Dr. Julio and Sergio ‘Boy’ Gonzalez.

Several years ago Papa Rod also scored what I believe is the first double-eagle on a par-5 hole as he knocked in his second shot on the dog-leg left hole No. 7.

Why I call him Papa?  It’s not exactly a long story.

We were together in the children’s party community of the club’s Christmas tournament many years ago and since our names rhyme, the secretary mistyped my name as “Nimrod Señido.”  I called him Papa Rod since then and I guess he’s got even more children now as others at the club also call him the same.

Congratulations Papa Rod and thanks Raul for keeping in touch.

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Do you know that we are now also sending our runners abroad for competition?

If you don’t know yet, then let me share with you the list of Cebuano running enthusiasts and serious competitors, who will be taking part in the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon this Sunday.

I got the list from another fellow UPian, fellow columnist, fellow sports commissioner, and most of all, my cousin, John Pages.

John will be running in the full marathon (that’s 42 kilometers) along with Dr. Vic Verallo, Dr. Albert Santos, Dr. Yong Larrazabal, Dr. Nicole Chua, Jessie Taborada, Meyrick Jacalan, Ted Tecson and Serge Amora.

Joining the half marathon (21-K event are) Dr. Peter Mancao, Dr. Pons del Prado, Tony del Prado, and Cebu’s top female runner Leizl Gitaruelas.

Cebu’s best Mendel Lopez and my good friend Perl Jacalan, Meyrick’s better half, will also be joining the event in the 10K category.

I wish you all the best and I hope that someday we too can hold our own race that would bring in a lot of foreign runners to Cebu.

Is it doable?  Yes, of course.