Seas longest race

When Jonel Mendoza who together with yours truly organized the first ultramarathon in Cebu four years  ago, told me we are organizing the South to North ultramarathon which starts in Santander  while ending in Bogo City, I replied “Naa pa ba maka tiwas ana?” The longest race we had organized was a  100 mile (160km).  Last year, we came off with the SN 250 (South to North) attracting 20 runners.

 When  the smoke cleared, 7 runners  survived  the longest  single-staged race in Southeast Asia with Joel Cuyos arriving first.  Jonel however said “Dapat tip to tip talaga.”  And the last town in the North is Maya, Daanbantayan.  So the stage was set and last Friday, 14 runners embarked on their date with history.  Two runners failed to make the first cut-off of 27 hours (Toledo City). 

Unseeded Lapu-Lapu City policeman Brian Guillen, surprised the favorites including defending champion  Cuyos who eventually placed third.  Guillen completed  the grueling race in 51 hours 13 minutes and 38 seconds.  Rodney Cabahug took second place in 53:12:49 while Cuyos timed 54:25:44.  Final cut-off time was 56 hours.  Edwin Colina wound up fourth in 54:59:40 while Lope Noay was fifth in 55:02:24.  Sixth placer is Rex Gonzales (56:01:26) while Benedict Meneses registered 56:08:18 to place 7th. 

The rest of the 12 1st stage survivors either dropped out or did not make the cut-off. Guillen said he is thankful to his superior PS SUPT. Armando Radoc for supporting him. We would like to thank the Municipality of Santander (Mayor Wenceslao)  and Daanbantayan  and Toledo City under  Mayor John Osmeña for the never-tiring support.  And to those whose names escape us at the moment “Muchas Gracias!”.

Note:  I was not able to join Jonel in managing the race as I was supposed to fly to Bacolod City for the scheduled burial of my grandson, hazing victim Guillo Uytiepo Servando.  The ongoing investigation and filing of charges from prompted   Aurelio Servando to postpone the burial to end of the month.

Senior citizen division

While I was in Tacloban City, I was informed that my good friend Fernando “Ito” Rama, eldest of the Rama siblings got into a brawl with an American at a fastfood in Basak, San Nicolas. While Ito and his brothers Jing Jing and Hector always meet at the fastfood for breakfast.  I was told Ito was asked when the American commented on why the security guard was being asked by Ito to get the coffee when the fastfood is a self-serviced outlet.  The American allegedly approached Ito who threw a punch, dropping the American to the canvas este... floor. The American  countered and grazed Ito’s cheek and at this juncture, cooler heads separated the two old guys. 

I know for one that Ito is diabetic and has difficulty seeing.  On several occassions, he trips. This is the reason he requests the guard to get his food.  At 74, Ito still packs a lot of wallet  and when he unleashed that right, he hit his target. The weight training at Jing Jing’s gym really helped.  On the way back to Cebu I was with Mayor Mike  on the plane and he was amused when I told him I’m writing Freddie Roach to train Ito.  I’m also writing Bob Arum to  promote the fights in the newest weight division, the Senior Citizen. Rening Ylaya said “apil ko ana”.