Hasta La Vista Ted

I always look forward to a trip to Maasin City in Southern Leyte. There’s just too many places for physical activities like caving, mountain climbing, diving, trekking, swimming, cycling and running. But this time around, It’s a different scenario, we were accompanying my brother-in-law Teddy Leyson to his final destination. Ted, who practically spent almost all of his life in the United States died a few months ago in Houston, Texas. His siblings Josie and Marilou together with husband Narding, brought his ashes to be burried in his hometown Ichon in Macrohon.  Ichon is also home to Hagibis legend Mike Hanopol, who  even composed the song “Dugong Ichon,” Ted studied in Silliman University in Dumaguete City before going to states where he became a photo journalist in New York City. He lived just a block from Dakota Mansion where John Lennon and Jackie Kennedy lived.  Ted was one of the  best photographers in Manhattan.  He stalked screen goddess Greta Garbo until her death.  Garbo asked for a TRO against Ted when he kept bugging her.  Ted’s photos were bought by the New York Times. Ted’s other favorite subject was Jackie K. Onassis.  He also had shots of Madonna, John F. Kennedy Jr. and John and Yoko Ono.  Ted went to  Juliard School where his contemporaries included Robin Williams (who recently committed suicide)  and Val Kilmer. When he was dying of cancer, he wished to go back home.  We brought Ted home.  Hasta La Vista Ted!

Leyte Sports

After the burial,  it was time to go back to my running.  Again we attacked the Fatima Hills trail in Ichon.  The following day, we were off to Sogod to see the Agas Agas bridge, the tallest in the country at 100 meters.  It’s amenities include zipline and cable car, also the tallest in the Philippines.  Other places to see are the Cambaro Caves, the caving capital of Southern Leyte and Limasawa Island, site of the first mass.  Provincial tourism officer Nedgar Garvez asked me if we could hold an ultramarathon from Agas Agas to Maasin City (88km) and a triathlon in Limasawa Island during the Holy Week.  Well, I’ve been planning this for a long time and I intend to do it next year.  Meanwhile, Maasin City Seniors Association’s Willie Justimbaste requested if I could invite Elvis and company to serenade the seniors in October, I told Willie we have to look for another date as I’m scheduled to perform in Bacolod City during the Masskarra Festival also in October.