Sporty mayor

I took a week-long sojourn to Maasin City in Southern Leyte for a little rest but ended up climbing the mountain shrines. Yes, the majestic views of the hills especially in Hanginan, Fatima and Jalleca were just irresistible.  Despite my injury, plantar and Achilles, I still managed to reach the top everytime, especially the one at Jalleca Hills, the tallest shrine in the country with 300 steps and 104 meters above sea level.  Just before leaving, I dropped by at City Hall to visit the city’s mayor, Maloney Samaco, undoubtedly a sportsman in his own right.  Mayor Maloney may not look athletic but he’s been supporting Maasin City’s sports programs. He is also responsible for the city’s hosting of numerous sports activities and national events. Just recently, Maasin City hosted the ABAP Inter-City Boxing Tournament won by Bago City.  Last year, Mayor Maloney staged the city’s first triathlon. Maasin City has also conducted several fun and trail runs while also staging cycling events. In fact, my fellow Freeman columnist JV Araneta has organized cycling events there. Chess is also a favorite sport of Mayor Maloney who said since he was frail and sickly during his younger days, he took to chess which does’nt require too much physical efforts. Oh by the way, Mayor Maloney has participated in several runs in Cebu City.  He even ran in the Cebu City  Marathon but only in the 5K side  together with our very own Mayor Mike Rama. Mayor Maloney, then vice mayor, recalled that he was not so interested when I offered to organize the first fun run here 15 years ago.  With running and triathlon starting to become popular here, Mayor Maloney plans to do more events. Come August, Maasin will hold it’s second triathlon.  Keep the good work Mayor!

Provincial sports

The afternoon after I visited Mayor Maloney, I saw myself at the Southern Leyte Provincial Capitol visiting old friend Tourism Officer Nedgar Garvez, who used to study in UC.  It has been years too that Nedgar and I planned running events but were scared. “Basin walay modagan.”  But until now, we are not giving up.  In fact, I’m trying to cook something during the province’s founding anniversary on July 1st.  We wanted to revive our plans  to stage  a triathlon in Limasawa Island on Holy Week but ran out of time. Hopefully we will prepare for it next year.  Another plan is to stage a cycling or marathon with Agas Agas, the tallest bridge in the country (100 meters) as starting line.  With governor Damian Mercado, also a sports buff, I’m pretty sure we’ll realize our plans next year.  It would be historical doing a triathlon in Limasawa Island, site of the first mass in the Philippines.

Elvis in Maasin

Don’t look now, but we might just watch Elvis perform here in Maasin City during its fiesta in August.  Another former Freeman journalist Willie Jay Justimbaste, who is currently PRO of the City, is planning to bring Elvis and Company for a variety show.  Elvis will again be backed up by Sam Costanilla and Daloydoy Andrino, collectively known as Dos Gwapos, Jun Villaherrmosa, the Frank Sinatra of Cebu, comedian Chokolet ,balladeer Boyet Lim and  Cebu’s Micheal Jackson Mark Babiera. Abangan!

Coast to Coast 65k Ultra

Registration for the 4th Coast to Coast 65K Ultramarathon set May 10 at the Cebu Provincial Capitol is now on going. Unlike the three previous editions, the race will start at 10 p.m. and will end at the Toledo City Sports Complex via the grueling Trans Central Highway in Balamban.  Cut off time is 12 hours, meaning runners must be at the Toledo City Sports Complex by 10a.m. of May 11.  Registration fee is Php1,250.00 (non-refundable and non-transferable). There will be only one aid station at km. 32.5, therefore participants must bring their own hydration bottles.  There will be no cups either.  As usual, there will be no cash prizes. Finishers will recieve medals, dri-fit shirt and post race meal and drinks.  Registration ends on May 3. To register, make deposits  payable to Constante C. Mendoza  Jr. BPI S/A 2379036239 and e-mail scanned deposit slip to [email protected] with your shirt size.  For further inquiries, please call 0917-8036644 or 0905-2870900.