Hasta La Vista Pocams

Just after the 1991 Sea Games, PSC chair Cecil Hechanova called me to his office, “Raffy, I’m sending you to Baguio City to prepare the National Chess Team for the 1992 World Chess Olympiad”. Hechanova said. Of course I complained since frankly, I don’t know a single move in chess. I don’t even know how to play “dama” However the chairman said “No, you’re not playing chess with them but whip them up to be physically fit for the Olympiad”. In that meeting was former Fide president Florencio Campomanes who was instrumental in bringing the tournament to Manila. I noticed that chess players are scared of Campomanes. Although he looks every inch a disciplinarian, Pocams is a great person once you get to know him. So with Hechanova and Pocams giving me the green light, I was off to Baguio City where I trained the likes of GM Eugene Torre (my “agaw” from Iloilo), Rogelio Antonio, Econg Sevillano, Barlo Nadera, Rico Mascariñas, Ruben Rodriguez and Banjo Barcenilla, to mention a few. At first they didn’t like the idea of waking up early to do the daily jogs, the warm-up drills and basketball. I also subjected them to weight training. But soon they had to follow after I threatened to cut their allowances. Pocaris came to Baguio every now and then to check on their progress. For 10 months I was shuttling from Manila to our quarters called “Haven of Rest” that was just in front of the Botanical Garden. Back to Pocams, there was no doubt he was responsible for the rise of chess in the country with the Philippines hosting the Olympiad as this greatest coup. He stunned the world in 1982 when he won the Fide presidency in Lucerne, Switzerland. Since Pocams was a close friend of Hechanova and Torre, both Ilonggos, he learned to love the Ilonggo food. So during the Chess Olympiad, he would ask me to bring him his favorite inasal manok and Lapaz batchoy. About three years ago, I could still see Pocams here in Cebu every now and then. In fact he would still do his workouts at the City Sports Club Cebu Gym. Pocams died two weeks ago in Baguio City, his favorite place where he was also buried. As always it’s “hasta la vista Pocams”.

Race 2 Reduce Challenge

A well-prepared race always yields positive results. Meaning organizers could remedy problems that are bound to surface. Take a look at international races, they close registration five month before the race. Well, that’s why Jovy Tan and Gonzo Gonzales of Aboitiz Equity Ventures are taking no chances. This early, we have met several times to plan our proposed Race 2 Reduce Challenge half marathon on August 8 at the South Road Properties (SRP). In fact I’ve already talk to SRP manager Nagiel Banacia regarding our intention to close one lane of the road since it’s going to be held early in the morning and on a Sunday at that. But Nagiel said “Naa pay election tingali wa na ta diri”. But I’m sure the new mayor will still approve this run geared to drumbeat the company’s drive to reduce consumption of fuel, water and electricity and of course, a person’s weight (thus the run). We are also considering giving medals to all finishers in the 21K and 10K divisions, that way we make the runners happy. At first we were thinking of using chips but it will increase entry fees. So I’m sure this would be a more practical idea, of course the prizes would be attractive besides the other perks.

Races In June

As I said in a previous column, there will be no let up of races in Cebu. So on June 5, 2010 Ironman Noy Jopson will stage the Looney Tunes Active Fun Run at SM City. The distances are 3K, 5K and 10K while a kiddie dash will also be staged. Registration is at Timex Shop in Ayala Center Cebu and Watch Republic at SM City. Then on June 13, is the ABS CBN Kapamilya Run which will be handled this time by Run Check of Ken Casquejo and Annie Neric. Of course we still have several races in May. On May 23 are two races the Eagles’ Run at CDU Mandaue City and the Trade Fair Run at Asiatown IT Park and on May 30 the Q4 Race. HALA BIRA!

Notes: I would like to greet my Houston, Texas-based brother-in-law Jun Martinez who said he never fails to read my column. Jun is inviting me to join the Houston Marathon in January but I’ll be busy assisting the Cebu Executive Runners Club on their preparation for the Cebu City Marathon. Gracias Señor.