King of the Road

Touch down in Manila the other Saturday to catch the Adidas King of the Road 10K run at the Mall of Asia. Actually the run was only secondary. The real reason why we were in the Big City was our date at the US Embassy for our visa interviews. If not for that, I would have stayed in Cebu for the Press Freedom Week Celebration. Not only that, The Freeman editor-in-chief Jerry Tundag asked me if I could represent the paper in one of the activities highlighting the affair, "Search for a Rockstar", ala American Dream. Well Jerry suggested I join the search as Elvis Presley and that I stood a good chance of pocketing the title if I perform the classic rock and roll hits like "Blue Suede Shoes", "Hound Dog" and "Jailhouse Rock". Actually I did some impersonations of the King and even own a white concert get-up with glittering beads. But the interview was the priority. Anyway I recommended Ramil Ayuman, who perfectly filled up my "blue suede shoes". I know Ramil also sings classic rock and roll so the rest is history. Now back to the race, Olympian Vertek Buenavista made it a walk in the Asia Mall park in the absence of top-caliber challengers, only having to contend with national team member Julius Sermona. The country's newest running sensation Cresenciano Sabal opted to run in a rival race at the Baywalk.

Vertek's Target

After the awarding I joined Vertek and Julius for breakfast where Vertek revealed he intends to spring some surprises in the Doha Asian Games. Vertek said he's training very well and will concentrate on the marathon in the Games. Vertek holds almost all the national records from the 5,000 meters to the marathon. Vertek clocked 2:18 in a Japan race to shatter Herman Suizo's 10-year old record at 2:19.50. And when I asked him his projected time he said in Ilonggo "Kon kaluy-an basi mga 2:15" Vertek could clock that time if he stays on track,

Our Lady of Lourdes 5k

It's all systems go for the Lady of Lourdes 5K Run that fires off on October 29 in front of the Lourdes Parish Church in Punta Prinsesa. Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) president Nathan Cavada said registration is now ongoing at the PPC office at the Lourdes Parish and also at the PSC office at the Cebu City Sports Center. The race is then opening salvo for next year's golden celebration. The Lourdes Grotto which is an exact replica of the one in Lourdes, France. It was recently designated as an Archdiocesan shrine.

Heart day Run

Before I could unpack my bags after arriving in Cebu I was informed by CERC prexy Roel Militar that I was to assist the Heart Day Run that was held last Sunday at Cebu Business Park. The CERC was requested by the Philippine Heart Association to manage the run. Despite losing sleep in Manila, I was at the starting line. It was the same faces in the winner's podium, Joseph Penales emerged champion followed by Adonis Singson at second with Riez Enriquez pocketing third. In the distaff side, Mary Rose Arman finally nailed her first major title in the absence of Christy Sevillino and Leszl Getaruelas. Joeyry Lee settled for second while Madelyn Carter wound up third.

Cebu Sinulog Marathon

In our meeting, immediately after The Heart Run, we decided to give early registrants to the Cebu Sinulog Marathon an "Early Bird Discount". Runners who register early will only have to pay P250 instead of the projected P350 entry fee. All finishers will receive medals, singlets and other goodies. Registration starts next month at the PSC office at the Cebu City Sports Center.