Another Cayetano running

And this one’s not backing out, either.

Sen. Pia Cayetano, an accomplished marathon runner, is drawing attention to her causes by going the extra mile — literally.

Is she going to leave the Senate and run for Taguig mayor against Freddie Tinga, as widely speculated? Pia kept mum when asked by the media on an alleged plan by her supporters to make her run for mayor of Taguig City in the coming elections. She let her feet do the talking instead, clocking a strong 50 minutes and 40 seconds in the 10-kilometer run.

Dubbed "Pinay in Action" (PIA) 2007, the event was a five- and 10-kilometer fun run participated in by over 1,000 female running enthusiasts, both amateur and professional, and regardless of age. Held to promote women’s rights and health to mark international women’s month, it turned out to be a huge success.

"More than just a running event, ‘Pinay in Action’ impressed on young girls, single women, moms and grandmothers the importance of looking after their health and welfare by keeping fit and being fully aware of their rights and privileges as women," Pia told us when she cut the ribbon at the Women of Allure photo exhibit at the Shangri-La Plaza.

"It’s never too early or too late to take on a healthy lifestyle, take up a sport, or learn more about one’s rights. All women, especially those confined to daily routines like office work, looking after their husband and kids and other domestic chores, should be accorded the right to find personal time for health and fitness activities."

"Women should also be able to exercise their rights, especially against domestic violence and all forms of abuse and gender discrimination. The key to all this is education and awareness — and that’s what this event is all about," emphasized the senator, a triathlete and finisher of the grueling New York Marathon in November last year.

This year’s "Pinay in Action" featured a first in the history of women’s running events in the country — by including a special category for disabled women who "ran" on wheelchair.

A number of male runners, including the senator’s youngest brother TV director Lino Cayetano, also joined as a way of showing support for the event’s cause of championing women’s rights, health and fitness.

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Pia must be heaving a big sigh of relief these days after the Comelec disqualified Joselito Cayetano from the Senate race, citing his incapacity to mount a national campaign.

Pia said her brother Alan Peter was really suffering from the presence of the "other" Cayetano in the race, with surveys reflecting the people’s confusion.

For her part, she is at the point in her life when she is ready to talk about her separation from her lawyer husband. For a time, Pia refused to talk about the separation or its causes.

Today, she is dating again, but not exclusively.

"I definitely hope to fall in love again someday," she told us.

It’s never too late to honor a good man

Recently, the friends and immediate family of two names associated with human rights, Ka Pepe Diokno and Bobbit Sanchez, trekked to Taft Avenue to attend the third Ka Pepe Diokno Award for Human Rights. The ceremonies were held at the impressive new Brother Andrew Gonzalez Hall, the new home of the De La Salle Professional Schools Ramon V. del Rosario Sr. Graduate School of Business. For the past three years, the Graduate School of Business has been conferring this award on human rights advocates.

The posthumous recipient of the 2007 Ka Pepe Diokno Human Rights award was former Labor Secretary Augusto "Bobbit" Sanchez, a member of the original Cabinet of President Corazon Aquino right after EDSA I. Incoming De La Salle Professional Schools president, Brother Bernard Oca, FSC, together with acting chairman of the De La Salle Professional Schools Board of Trustees, Ramon del Rosario Jr., presented the award to Bobbit Sanchez’s widow, Lolit Panton Sanchez, who was proudly joined by most of her children and grandchildren. The 2005 awardee was the late Judge Voltaire Y. Rosales and in 2006, De La Salle honored Sr. Mariani Dimaranan, SFIC.

Brother Bernie read the citation that says: Bobbit Sanchez embodied the cause of the "ordinary man." Moreover, he had a "lifelong mission to defend the poor, the exploited, and the oppressed... along with the brave men and women who fought the mighty powers-that-be during the martial law days." Sanchez’s eldest son, evangelical Bishop Augusto "Chito" Sanchez Jr., spoke on behalf of his family. He recalled how his father never gave up on anyone, and proudly pointed out Bobbit’s faith in people was the mark of his father’s true heroism.

Retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban delivered the keynote address. Also present were Senators Sergio Osmena III and Joker Arroyo, former Senate President Jovito Salonga, Philippine National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose, senatorial candidate Mrs. Sonia Roco and Mrs. Nini Quezon-Avancena.

Philip Ella Juico, dean of the Ramon del Rosario Sr. Graduate School of Business, opened the event with a welcome address, where he expressed his respect for the late Bobbit Sanchez, who he said was always magnanimous and always rooted for the underdog.

(You may e-mail me at joanneraeramirez@yahoo.com)