Death March Ultra Marathon

San Fernando Runners (SAFER) president Ed Paez never fails to invite me to carry the torch during the Death March Ultra-marathon, held during the “Araw ng Kagitingan.” The modern-day marchers (well, runners in this case), trace the trail of the infamous Death March of 1942. The runners start at the Mariveles Export Zone in Bataan and cover 75 kilometers on the first day stopping in Guagua, Pampanga for the night. The following day we don American, Japanese and Filipino solders uniform and carry the flags of three countries then we ran 30 kilometers more all the way to San Fernando, passing the lahar-hit towns along the way. That’s probably one way of “penetinsiya” since the run always falls during Holy Week. The runners finish at the San Fernando train station where remaining World War II veterans and their sons and daughters welcome us. I’ve join the run more than seven times. Veteran runners Roy Vence, Rey Antoque, Jona Cayumba and sports caster Ron Delos Reyes have joined the run in the past. A familiar fixture in the run is Bob Velez who is also always “crucified” at Cutod in San Fernando during Good Friday, I wanted to join the run anew but I have to leave for Guimaras, in Iloilo. Well, maybe next year. If you wonder why the marker is in the San Fernando train station and not in Capas, Tarlac as the real destination of the death march, well the veterans said out of the 70,000 marchers over 10,000 have died in the five day march. The marchers either died of dehydration, heat stroke, or malaria. Others were “bayoneted” by the Japanese soldiers the moment they cannot continue. The Japanese decided to herd the remaining prisoners to trains in order that they reach Camp O’Donnel, alive. So that’s why the marker is in Pampanga. Well, its nice to be part of history.

Politicians on the run

I’ve been bombarded by calls from politicians who want to organize running events in preparation for next year’s election, this early. Just recently, a strong presidential – hopeful offered to foot the bill for two big races here in Cebu while a former president wants a race staged in Iloilo. Both presidential hope-full said budgets are not a problem as they want the races “BIG”. I’m sure the winners here are the runners. If the would-be-candidates offer a big budget then maybe we could give big prizes, trophies, medals, good quality singlets and more age categories at a minimum entry fee of say, P 50.00. If I organize a run for several candidates, it doesn’t follows that I would vote for them “trabaho lang, walang personalan”. I could always vote for all them but that would make me a flying voter. One would-be-candidate even went beyond the running aspect and suggested that I perform as Elvis during the campaign and offered to pay for five jumpsuits that I would be wearing. Well, that’s “one for this money two for the shoe”

CSCE SPORTS CLINICS

City Sports Club Cebu sports manager Rey Fuentes gave me a call to inform that the Club’s sports clinics will start on April 20, Rey said they are offering taekwondo, badminton advanced, badminton basic, basketball basic, fire dancing basic, fire dancing advanced, basic mountaineering, art thrills (one of a kind), art thrills (doodles), art thrills-masterworks, modern dance (hip-hop, pop jazz, latin), belly dancing and swimming. The age limit is 6 years and above. Rey also told me that CSCC wants another run besides the traditional midnight run in December. Rey said “kanang buntag nga dagan.” Well let’s start cooking Rey! For more information on the clinics please call the City Sports Club Cebu. –THE FREEMAN