The road to Maasin

I never thought I could pull this one through. The odds were just too great and I almost gave up. Left alone to attend to a critically-ill sister-in-law and with so many commitments happening at the same time, I was just waiting for my mind to explode. But the never-say-die spirit in me, always carry me through, with the One above dictating the tempo. As I write this column I’m preparing to travel to Ormoc City from Maasin City to catch the last trip for Cebu of the Supercat. A press con for the STAA Move with Air is waiting on Tuesday (that’s today) at Yayoy’s Grill while I start rehearsing the next day for the Marcolo Polo Father’s Day Elvis Lobby Concert. I’m praying to God to give me more strength to hurdle these obstacles considering that I’m into a lot of stress. Well, although this is not really an enjoyable trip back home, I’m always looking forward coming here in Ichon, Macrohon, Southern Leyte, home to my wife. This is also were Mike Hanopol of Jeproks fame (my wifes cousin) comes from. I recalled I jammed with Mike a long time ago when he joined us in Iloilo City where his father was assigned then. Well I’m glad it’s finally over. My sister-in-law Pat will be buried today at the –newly-opened Assumption Garden owned by Dodong Sulatre’s boss Ben Escaño of Pryce Gases Inc.. To those who condoled with my family “madamo gid nga salamat”.

Runner’s Haven

Despite having little or no sleep at all, I still sneaked in a 10-kilometer run last Sunday. Just can’t help running in a smog-free, heat-free coastal stretch from Maasin City to Macrohon town. There are also a lot of places to go like the Fatima Hill where you climb a mountain to reach The Lady of Fatima statue at the peak. I wanted to go to Brgy. Agas-Agas near Sogod, still in Southern Leyte where the country’s tallest bridge is nearing completion, but time didn’t permit. It’s taller than San Juanico Bridge in Tacloban, which I also ran several years ago. Then there’s Limasawa Island where we intend to hold either a triathlon or trail run next year. There are also so many beautiful caves in Southern Leyte. It’s only the time that we lack. I promised provincial tourism officer Nedgar Garvez we would definitely hold an event here next year.

Steve “Ferrari”

I haven’t talk to Cerc’s Steve Ferraren yet but John Pages informed me that Steve failed to clock a sub-4 hour performance in the Rock and Roll Marathon held last May 31 in San Diego, California. Steve timed 4:04. Just before he left, Steve said he did a 37 km-long run in 3:07 barely 3 weeks to the marathon. I think Steve over trained. My runners Olympians Roy Vence and Herman Suizo never went beyond 35 km during training, especially with three weeks to go I believe “naubusan si” Steve in the homestretch. Anyway, congratulations Steve!

Milestone

Greetings to two pretty women who will be celebrating their birthdays tomorrow, my daughter Milo and fast-rising executive runner Haide Acuña of ABS CBN.