Yesterday Once More

The Carpenters’  “Yesterday Once More” could well be the theme of  the very successful staging of the Cebu Masters Athletics Invitational Championship held over the weekend at the Cebu City Sports Center.  Over 60 participants who were former Olympians, Asian Games, Sea Games and ordinary enthusiasts relive the glory in the two-day track and field competition. 

Even before the official opening held in the afternoon of Saturday, my protege, 47 year-old Roy Vence, 1996 Atlanta Olympian, 2000 Sea Games Marathon champion and six-time Milo Marathon titlist, drawing first blood by ruling the 5,000 meter run in 19:05, topping the 45-49 age group. My other ward in the Nike Running Club, Ruth Banzon, stunned his former teammate Rey Antoque, two-time PAL Manila Marathon champion, when he ruled the 55-59 age group.  Banzon also took the gold in the 10,000m and javelin.

Vence annexed his second gold when he won the 10,000m in 40:41. In the 5000m walk, Garry Banigued turned the tables on former National Team member Manny Oyao, while  Ronilda Rodriguez Tan ruled the 40:44 age group.  Dr. Abe Manlawe 68, won in the 65-69 age group while also taking the gold in the 10,000m run.

Forty-year old Romulo Rosell of the BIR emerged as mid-distance king when he won the gold in the 400m,1,500m,10,000m,5000m in the 60-64 age group, Nemie Escasinas grabbed the gold in the 1500m and 800m while getting the silver in the 400m,200m and 100m.  Jumper Henorato Corpin  won in the 100m, triple jump and long jump (60-64).  Of course, the spotlight focused on the oldest participants.  Raul Cepeda   80  won in the 5000m  and 10000m. Rening Ylaya  (77) triumphed in the 100m,200m and 400m.

Korean Seo Jun Chang won in 5000m walk while Hungary’s Lehel Racz 74, ruled the discus.  Other foreign entries were Dennis Scott of the USA who  won the gold in 5000m, 10000m and silver in the 1500m (60-64), Francis Cosgrave of Ireland  took the gold in the 1500m and 10000m (50-54) and Taiwans’s Lin Hsiang Yu (40-44) who won silver in the 100m and bronze in the shot put and 200m. 

Lerma Bulauitan was definitely the women’s top runner in the absence of Elma Muros who could not make it to Cebu. Bulauitan won the gold in the  100m, 200m long jump  and discus (35-39) while veteran Erlinda Lavandia (60-64) took the gold in the javelin and discus. 

In the men’s  division, Asian Games veteran Danilo Fresnido (40-44) hurled the javelin with a distance of 61.06m while getting the silver in the discus and shot put.  Another Sea Games standout Nixon Mas (40-44) won the gold in the discuss  and shot put. 

Other  prominent names who competed were Enrilo Rosin (45-49) former  national pool member, who won the 1500 and 800m, former  Milo Marathon champion Liza Delfin, Elenita Punelas and Merlita Arias.  The locals that included Edward Beronia, Al Solomon, Zardo Juaneza, Jing Cubillas, Raffy Osumo, Mike Yu, Willie Estepa, Helen Dionson, Tess Escasinas, Pacito Quino, Diomedes Sique, Aida Sique and Cesar Ortega also turned in creditable performances. 

The event was organized by the National Masters and Seniors  Athletics Association of the Philippines (NMSAAP) under Manny Ibay and supported by the Cebu City Sports Center, Metrografix and Casa Ilongga.  Officiating was provided by Precing Capangpangan of RACE. 

Note:  Registration to the 3rd BE Resort Warrior 50K Ultramarathon set on September 29 is now in full swing at the A  Runners Circle (ARC) at Raintree Mall in Ramos St.