Even before the Philippine team left for the Beijing Olympics, I knew we had little chance for a gold medal. We might even come home with a big fat zero. Not even the Fil-Ams in swimming could bail us. True, we broke several Sea Games records but a medal in the Olympics is the ultimate goal. I don’t know why some quarters expected too much from lone boxing bet, Henry Tañamor. The off-form Tañamor couldn’t even advance to the next round bowing to Ghana’s Mangyo Plange.
In athletics, our long jumpers Maristela Torres and Henry Dagmil were included because it’s mandatory in the Olympics that a country participating, must field athletes in swimming and athletics. Therefore, I still salute my three “Ilonggo paisanos” and good friends Leopoldo Serrantes, Roel Velasco and Onyok Velasco for bringing medals to the country. Serrantes won a bronze in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Roel, another bronze in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics while Onyok pocketed a silver in the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.
Of the nine Olympic medals, the country has won, 5 came from Boxing. The other two are from the Villanuevas, Jose (bronze) in the 1934 Los Angeles Games and Anthony (silver) in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. After Go and Rivero faltered, it was a sad end of another golden dream in the Olympics.
CDU Run For Sight
Although it had a smaller field compared to last year’s, the 3rd Cebu Doctors University Run for Sight held last Sunday in Mandaue City, was a better race. It was a wise decision on organizers Dr. Yong Larrazabal and Dr. Peter Mancao to go for quality rather than quantity. It was also a joint effort among several running clubs and organizations including Safe, Sight First RC and Cebu Road Runners Club. I also assisted the race as consultant.
We had quality runners this year especially with Davao top runner Elmer Bartolo 2008 Mizuno – Shell Sinulog Half Marathon champion, joining the race. Bartolo wiped out the opposition including Joel Delposo and Philip Dueñas to win in 32:20. Dueñas came in second while Ian Bernido took third.
In the distaff side, Madelyn Carter, this year’s Milo Marathon Cebu Leg champion, again took advantage of Leszl Gitaruelas’ absence, to grab the crown in 42:35. SWU’s Michelle Gilbuena settled for second while comebacking Christy Sevilleno pocketed third.
In the doctors’ category, Yong Larrazabal was just too fast for Glenn Cang. Yong clocked 45:12 while Cang registered 47:30 while CERC’s Vic Verallo finished third with 50:39. For the lady doctor’s, Emily Estrada ruled this category with a time of 57:05 while Rosan Trani and Nicole Chua timed 1:02:02 and 1:02:45 to place second and third respectively. Mayor Jonas Cortes fired off the field that numbered over 3,000 runners.
Haide
I was a doubtful starter until race day. Saturday I was nursing a slight fever prompting Dr. Mike Mancao and Peter to implement emergency repairs on my condition. Doc Mike (still running at 80) asked me if I wanted steroids that would make Olympic champion Usian Bolt eat my dust. I said we would just stick to the natural way, so Doc Mike gave me antibiotics and nasal decongestants. The same Saturday evening, I hurt my big toe while working on an ingrown nail. But it was impossible not to run.
You see, I promised my good friend, head-turner Haide Acuña, the pretty face you see on your boob tube everyday, to escort her in the race. A few weeks earlier I assisted Haide when she bought a pair of running shoes. Actually Haide had been running since 1996. I could still remember when she joined the Nike Pharmaton 10K that year. But when she took law and eventually passed it, her running was off and on. I’ve escorted Haide several times that eventually cost me a medal in the executive division. But who cares, I’ve got a hundred. So last Sunday, Haide and I finished in 1:07. It was also the first time I ran minus the brace on my knee, a security blanket until I decided to throw it away. Now, Haide is getting more ambitious, completing her first marathon in next year’s Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon.
I don’t know if Haide could tackle the distance since she has not run a half marathon yet. Haide has still over five months to train and with more mileage, I’m sure she could achieve that dream. Go Haids, kaya mo yan.
Milestone
I would like to greet another pretty woman May Catalan of Mc Donalds a belated happy birthday the other Friday. May is a taller and darker version of Ina Raymundo. May you have many more!