Cebu leg of 36th National Milo Marathon

CEBU, Philippines - Some folks are into running just for fun and experience the thrill and excitement it brings. Others embrace it as an effective way to nurture a healthy physical well-being. Both reasons apply for the Andrin siblings Ronny, Lovely Fe, Jhean and Cherry, but more than being part of their daily lifestyle, they indulge into running with fervent hopes of enjoying a bright future out of it.

Every running event here in the Queen City of the South has become a family affair for the Andrins. And last Sunday's Cebu leg of the 36th National Milo Marathon that drew an overwhelming record of 21, 697 entries at the Cebu City Sports Center was no exception.

With their ever supportive father Ronnilo acting as their chief cheerleader, the Andrins came in full force to be among the tens of thounsands of runners who turned the city's main thoroughfares into a dazzling sea of green that has been the hallmark of the best organized and longest existing footrace in the history of Philippine sports.

Ronnilo, a factory worker, humbly admitted that poverty is the principal reason why he is encouraging his children to run. Aside from earning a certain amount of money if they top their respective categories, the older Andrin sees running as an opportunity for his kids to get athletic scholarships when they go to college someday.

“It's quite hard raising my kids because I'm only a factory worker and my better half is just a plain housewife," said Ronnilo. "But I'm glad because of running, it helped them to earn money and hopefully get them free education when they go to college through scholarship."

During the Cebu provincial qualifying of the Nestle Philippines-bankrolled tilt, all three Andrins had a podium finish. Lovely Fe clocked in 18 minutes and 19 seconds to rule the girls 5K run, Cherry timed 11 minutes and 51 seconds to lord it over in the girls 3K, while their older brother Ronny placed second in the men's 10K battle with the time of 34 minutes and 19 seconds. Their other sister Jhean, wound up third in the girls 5K category.

“I am really proud of my kids because they have been successful in this sport even at a very young age,” said Ronnilo. “I think it is really in their blood because they are happy with what they are doing. For them, it's like they are just playing.”

The 13-year-old Lovely Fe said she was introduced into running at this early stage of her life and since then, it has become her way of earning money to help in her studies knowing that the meager income of her father can't sustain all their needs.

“I started running at a young age and I actually enjoyed it. It's also our bonding time as a family, but more importantly it has helped me a lot in my studies, financially," said Lovely Fe, a student of Pajo National High School.

Like any other sporting discpline, running has also transformed Lovely Fe into a person of value and character.

“I learned a lot from this sport like self-discipline and perseverance,” Lovely Fe said. “At first, it was difficult for me to adjust my time from training and school works but as time goes by, I learned to balance things properly.”

The five-year-old Cherry, the youngest of the Andrins, also showed a lot of promise with her sterling performance in all races she had joined, so far.

“My sisters are into running and I wanted to be with them so I always accompany them during training that's why I became a runner too,” said Cherry, still a kindergarten pupil in Pajo. “They teach me techniques in running together with my father.”

And who else could be the best role model for the Andrins other than their big brother Ronny.

"I am the first one to get into running and support my sisters because I want them to be like me who has been able to study in college by being a varsity member of the University of Southern Philippine Foundation (USPF) athletics team," said Ronny.

Of all his kids though, Ronnilo tabs Lovely Fe as the one with the biggest potential to reap more success in running in the years to come.

“She won the 5k gold in the Milo Marathon, but she is also capable of running a longer distance. Someday, I could see her doing and winning her first full marathon race.” (FREEMAN)