Cheers to the parents

The result of the elementary division in the recent Milo Little Olympics was a surprise to many as Sacred Heart School-Jesuit emerged as the overall champion.

To this deadline beater, I actually saw it coming some years ago and am very happy to see it happen now. This is the product of the joint effort of the school, the alumni and the parents.

I have often written about how parents play a very important role in the development of the young athletes particularly on the aspect of nutrition and of course moral upbringing, which the school also reinforces.

Many parents also spend for additional coaching and also equipment that help their children improve their skills. There are also those who spend for participation in competitions that help the kids earn more experience in different levels of competition.

I know a few friends, who are very much elated about the results of the Milo Little Olympics, which their kids took part in.

Among them of course is our Sunday sports columnist, Rico Navarro, who writes Bleacher Talk. Rico’s son, Josemaria ‘Popoy’ is one of SHS-J’s top bets in athletics.

My good friend Carl Veloso is also another happy dad as his son Pomeroy Mark, was named the top athlete for football. 

Many years back, Popoy and Mark and several others kids from SHS-J were the reason why we, the dads, became very good friends as they formed the core of the SHS-J Football Club.

Another proud dad is my cousin and fellow sports columnist John Z. Pages, whose daughter Jana, who is from Bright Academy, was picked as top athlete for tennis.

The dads have to step aside now to make way for our children and I hope that more parents would be encouraged to get their kids into sports. You don’t really have to spend so much money, sometimes being there is more than enough to inspire the young athletes to strive harder.

It is a fact that getting your kid into sports would mean spending a little more time and money, but whether they become the best in their sport or not, what you and your child will gain will be more than what you have spent.

Congratulations of SHS-J and to all the supportive parents!

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Running, I don’t mean the one related to the elections in 2010, has become so popular that a large number of people have put on their sneakers and pounded on the road.

I received email from John Pages the other day about the holding of a running clinic this Saturday at Casino Español from 2 to 4 p.m.

The clinic is called, “Preparing for Your First Marathon.” This is one of the events leading towards the Cebu City Marathon on January 10, 2010.

Originally the event was set at Parklane International Hotel, but before the organizers could even get it out through the media, there has been a lot of interest shown by the runners that the Cebu Executive Runners Club had to look for a bigger venue.

This is open to all runners and is free of charge. To register please call Marlin at 2328518 to 19.

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MILESTONES: Belated birthday greetings to my classmate and very good friend Carla Ybañez-Veloso, who turned a year older last Sunday. 

Belated greetings also go to our editor-in-chief Jerry S. Tundag, who celebrated yesterday. The same goes to Marcie Abesamis, John Pastrana, and the man we used to call Captain, Vincent Joel Gagno.

Today’s greetings go to Ensign Archie Grapa of the Phil. Navy, Cylbi Ang, Dr. Arcelin Piramide, my fellow Sambisig Rommel Empedrad, and Jesefel Oyao.

More power to all of you!   (THE FREEMAN)