End of running boom?

CEBU, Philippines - It looks like the running fever is finally cooling off. Normalcy is restored at last after the nightnarish weekly running events held last year that sometimes number three races on a single Sunday with Saturdays not even spared. At the height of the mushrooming runs, I was once asked when will it stop? Well, I answered running is here to stay but soon with the influx of runs, some losing quality and have goals other than physical activity on the part of organizers, it will be coming soon. I also said the runners “mapol-an na jud” while some will suffer injuries “wala najud pahulay”. Then performances of the elite runners also dipped due to erratic training schedules. I have not seen a runner clocking below 2:30 for the marathon here in Cebu, whereas before Toto Cañete clocked 2:27 in the Milo marathon while my wards Herman Suizo and Roy Vence clocked 2:19:50 and 2:20:45 respectively. With running short races becoming unpopular, runners started trying out the triathlon, duathlon and the ultramarathon. But the implementation of Ordinance 2309 otherwise known as ”Foot Race and Fun Run Ordinance of the City of Cebu”, regulating running events, really took a heavy tool on the organizers. Organizers with money as the bottomline, will have to think twice now since a permit for a 10K race costs Php 7,000. And if he has the intention of fooling participants or save on other requirements, he could be fined or worse, land in jail. My good friend Bachi of Eruf said “Murag naka pahuway na mi da”. The same is the comment of Citom’s Atty. Raffy Yap who said sometimes they ran out of personnel for the race detail. With Cebu City getting serious with the ordinance, organizers are bringing their stuff out of the City. Parkmall in the Mandaue City has become the favorite alternative since Mandaue does not charge stiff rates for a permit. Others go to Talisay or Lapu Lapu City. With the development, Cebu City has indeed restored normally in the conduct of races. My good friend Board Member Jude Sybico, himself a long- time runner, asked me to draft a similar regulatory measures for the Province. Congratulations Councilor Ed Labella for authoring the ordinance. Did you know that IloIlo and Bacolod are also asking for a copy of the ordinance?

Gone to soon

I just can’t afford to mention recent happenings in the music world. Another icon did her “Last Dance” when she succumbed to the dreaded Big C at age 63. Barely getting over the death of Whitney Houston, we were stung with the demise of the 70’s disco queen Donna Summer. Donna’s hits included “Hot Stuff”, “Working Hard For The Money”, “On The Radio”, with Barbara Streisand and od course “Last Dance”. Speaking of death, Sensei Winnie Dela Rosa of the Okinawan Shorin Ryu Shidukan Karate Association informed me that my original instructor Roberto Gonzales died last February after a second heart attack. Berto made waves in the karate movies. In “Hari ng Karate”, we acted as extras performing the Katas. It was reported that at one time the combined movies of FPJ and Erap trailed Roberto’s. I was also told Roberto died a pauper living on doleouts in the final two years of his life. He was 66. 

Note: My fellow musicians asked me for my choice of this year’s American Idol. Not that we are Filipinos but I find Jessica Sanchez a cut above the rest. She will be this year’s American Idol. As I was ending this column, a flash report came in that Robin Gibb of the BeeGees died of colon cancer at age 62.  (FREEMAN)