Boystowners to see action

CEBU, Philippines - The Sisters of Mary School-Boystown is fielding in two of its best tracksters for the Baybay Bubble Run scheduled at 3 p.m. today starting and ending at the Veterans' Park in Baybay City, Southern Leyte.

Richard G. Orozco will compete in the 16-kilometer category, while Jovanie C. Quijano will vie for top honors in the 8km. Both are 18 years old.

They had been going through an extensive training under the grassroots development initiative of JPD Coaching spearheaded by running coach John Philip Duenas and Cebuana Olympian Mary Joy Tabal at the Boystown complex in Minglanilla, Cebu.

Orozco and Quijano's participation in the charity race is fully supported by SMS-Boystown led by its local superior Sister  Emelan Lee and coach Van Halen Parmis.

"I think it's high time for them to put their athletic talents to a test. Also, this will give them the needed exposure and a chance to feel what competition is all about," said Parmis, whose sports community outreach at Boystown early this year has blossomed into a major multi-sport program backed up the Cebu Provincial Sports Commission.

Parmis, the talent scout of reigning CESAFI champions University of the Visayas Green Lancers, took the cudgels in bringing the Boystown athletes to his hometown Baybay as a timely Father's Day treat in memory of his dad, the late Judge Zenen Puray.

Aside from running, the Boystowners had also been taking part in local basketball and football tournaments.

"Being in the real playing field is a golden opportunity for them, and they always make the most out of it," added Parmis, who is also a respectable organizer in collegiate and commercial basketball leagues.

Meanwhile, the 16km champion of the Baybay Bubble Run will pocket P5,000, while the second and third placers will receive P3,000 and P2,000, respectively. The top three finishers in the 8km will take home P3,000, P2,000 and P1,500, while the top three in the 3km will get P2,000, P1,500 and P1,000.

There will also be special awards for the youngest and oldest runners, best in costume, running family and biggest delegation. (FREEMAN)