Money only comes second

MANILA, Philippines - Winning yesterday’s Metro Manila leg of the 39th Milo Marathon at the MOA grounds was just another day at the office for Luisa Raterta.

She pocketed P50,000 for the victory in the women’s side. But she quickly dashed thoughts of a major celebration.

The victory, Raterta added, will not lead her to the nearest mall for a brand-new phone or anything fancy.

“Hindi ako ganun eh (I’m not the type),” said the 33-year-old mother from Sta. Rosa, Laguna, who also earns something as a running coach.

She earns very little coaching kids who can barely buy a pair of running shoes.

“Walang shoes yung iba,” said Raterta, certainly different from the others.

“Hindi ako yung bibili agad nito at pupunta sa mall (I’m not to buy this or that in the mall),” said the two-time winner of the Metro Manila eliminations.

Yesterday’s earnings, she said, will go straight to the bank.

Her 13-year-old daughter, Leonalyn Raterta, joined the 5K side-event yesterday and finished third, making her mother proud.

There’s a little cash prize, too, for the kid, and it’s no more than a thousand pesos.

“Pero wala naman ang pera eh. Pangalawa lang ‘yan (It’s not the money. It only comes second),” said the mother, who hopes to someday win the big one.

It’s the national finals in December where the cash prize is easily thrice as much.

“Sa akin yung karangalan lang okay na (The honor to me is good enough). Grabe ang training (Training is difficult),” she said.

“Kaya yung nandito kami sa harapan ninyo sulit na. Ito na ang resulta (To stand here in front of you is enough. This is the result),” added Raterta.

With the victory, she said she’d treat her family to a simple dinner -- nothing more.

“Kung gusto ninyo pumunta kayo sa amin sa Laguna (If you want you can join us in Laguna),” she said.

That drew laughter from reporters gathered in front of her.

For now, that’s all she could offer.