Guimaras

After the record-breaking Milo Marathon Cebu Elimination, one-legged triathlete Rudy Fernandez and I were in the MV Malaysia of Trans Asia en route to Iloilo City. Part of my mission besides bringing Rudy back to Iloilo was to survey the havoc brought about by an oil spill in Guimaras Island. Despite a bad cold I was in Jordan town where I proceeded to Nueva Valencia one of the hardest hit by the spill. As I was approaching the town I saw several people being evacuated. I learned from subordinates of Nueva Valencia mayor Diosdado Gonzaga that over 300 people living near the shoreline were ordered by Gov. Jc Rahman Nava to leave their barangays due to a high level of toxic hydrogen sulfide gas and aromatics. It was only a few years ago when Rudy and I joined the national triathlon held here at the provincial capitol. Now the clean air and pristine beaches are being threatened by pollution. As I write this column I've talk with the different government officials of Iloilo, Capiz and Negros Occidental for a possible fund raising run which we will be moniker as "Run for Guimaras". My classmate and barkada former Negros Occidental governor Lito Coscolluela, currently the presidential adviser for Western Visayas might just initiate the run. Lito is a running buff himself. I would have also proposed the project to another good friend DOT Secretary Ace Durano but I missed him by a few hours in Guimaras.

Two Billion

The News Today (TNT) editor-in-chief Erly Garcia confirmed a text message from Rep. Rolex Suplico announcing the approval of a P2 billion in oil spill funds from Congress. With that kind of money I just hope it really goes to the needy and not just in somebody's pocket. In fact Suplico warned the Guimaras "vultures" to keep their hands off the relief funds. Now does the province of Guimaras still need the "peanuts" we intend to raise from the proposed runs?

Kayaba and Milo Marathon

Speaking of Guimaras, the annual Kayaba Guimaras- Iloilo Cross Channel Swim Competition fires off on Sept. 9 at the Jordan Wharf. Well, the Jordan side is not yet polluted by the oil spill. Swimmers will cover 1.7 nautical miles starting at Jordan and ending at Fort San Pedro Iloilo Wharf. Also being awaited is the staging of the MILO Marathon Iloilo Elimination leg on Sunday Sept.10 at the Freedom Grandstand. Iloilo will be fielding just 6,000 runners, a far cry from Cebu's 24,000 participants. Anong say mo Ricky Ballesteros?

New Heights Band

I promised to shy away from the band when I boarded the MV Malaysia for the trip back to Cebu. But how can you stop the music? So it was jamming time again as I joined the New Heights Band to another rock and roll session that really rocked the boat. The band is composed of Bobby Gonzales on lead Jun Paylaga (bass), Jr Valedehueza (drums), Erfred Bagsican (keyboard), Jamero Tedlos lead vocal and female vocalists Chris Roselle and Jenny Amance.