India's "Forrest Gump"

Currently making waves in Eastern India is a five year old-boy who recently ran 65 kilometers in seven hours. Budhia Singh was accompanied by his coach, paramilitary forces and TV crew while being watched by army doctors and an ambulance. Budhia started his run at 4:00 am from the holy town of Puri but collapsed two kilometers short of the designated finish line. Buhdia has already participated in the Delhi half-marathon and other races across India. How did Budhia start running? When his father died two years ago, his mother sold him for 800 rupees (20 dollars). His new father enrolled him to a judo class but it was evident he was more inclined to running. In one incident, he did some mischief and as punishment he was made to run for 5 hours until his coach returned. To his astonishment Budhia was still running when he got back. His coach wants to send him to Kenya for further training. Now, here's the catch. I believe these Indians are stupid, don't they know Budhia is still a developing child with soft bone tissues that could lead to problems when he grows older. International rules prohibit runners 16 years and below to run a full marathon (42.195 km.), and this five year-old kid ran 65 kilometers? Crazy.

Batang Carnation

Remember Joan Laput? She was the toast of the running community in the early 80s who won the local title of the Pal Manila International Marathon at aged ten. Well it was not only in the Pal Marathon but in other long distance races too. Because of that achievement she was called "Batang Carnation", sort of a wonder child. Four years later bone spurs started to grow on her heels until she couldn't run anymore. Another 10 year-old, Judy Joy Pasaporte of Iloilo City also ran a marathon at aged 12 and suffered the same fate as Laput. However the defect was also in her training. Her uncle who also acted as her coach made her run with a knap sack filled with sand. At this tender age, "buktot (hunchback) and gawas nimo". What ever happened to the 10 year-old Divina Divinagracia of Bukidnon who was also mismanaged by his uncle-coach. They went talents gone to waste. I hope the Indians would get the message or better still get some advise from the IAAF.

Maui Huelar

Don't look now, but Maui Huelar who recently played for Ceres Liner in the Negros Basketball Association Mayors Cup might be banned from paying again in the NBA. Huelar who also plays for Toledo City in the MVBA punched referee Bante Tionco in the nape moments after the final buzzer sounded with Ceres bowing to the Iloilo Warriors. Huelar was irked after Tionco slapped him a technical foul when he threw the ball at the referee. As I was writing this column Huelar was meted a suspension and therefore will not be seeing action for Ceres during the finals against Toyota Iloilo. Also playing for Ceres are Leo Bat-og and Carlos Sayon, Huelar's teammates in Toledo City.

El Presidente in Bacolod

I was supposed to drop by at the Negros Occidental Multi-purpose Activity Center for the Pryce Pharma Basketball Clinic being conducted by Ramon "EL Presidente" Fernandez, but I had to go back to Iloilo City in the afternoon. Anyway, I'm sure the clinic will be a success what with Mon himself calling the shots. While in Bacolod I dropped by at the Games and Amusement office headed by my classmate Boy Parroco. Boy informed me of several people we know who died recently including champion golfer Alex Montelibano and high-caliber bowler Carol Hofileña. Boy also told me that our good friend Fats Ongsingco also passed away. Our deepest sympathy.