Hasta La Vista Melinda

I wanted to write a tribute to Melinda Ponce that Monday after I got news of her tragic death. However, words just wont come. I was so devastated, I can’t even concentrate. At first I thought it was a big joke and only knew it was true after Bro. Carlo Bacalla confirmed it. Actually it was only when Melinda started to serve notice that even at her age (she was 50 when we started to be good friends.) that she could still give the younger and more experienced runners, a run for their money. Frankly, I thought Melinda was just trying hard when slowly she figured in the top 10 of the female division in races. She don’t even look like a runner with her big built but Melinda had determination and soon started training seriously and longer. When Jonel Mendoza of FrontRunner Magazine and ultra marathon organizer announced a 50km run from Mt. Manunggal in Balamban to the Cebu Provincial Capitol, Melinda trained her sights on the event, even giving up her slot in that year’s Milo Marathon. Melinda finished her first Ultra with flying colors. She even surprised everybody when she took second place in this year’s Coast to Coast 65km Ultramarathon that started in Toledo City. After qualifying for the Milo Marathon finals in Manila, Melinda said the run will be a final tune-up for the Century Properties 100km Ultramarathon which fires off in Bogo City on November 19. In the Warrior 53km Ultramarathon held last September 10 at Be Resort in Mactan, Melinda made waves when she won the womens title beating veterans including former champion Michelle Estuar. Melinda hugged me as she crossed the finish line. She said 53 for 53 meaning 53 years old for 53kms. After that win. Manila runners have installed Melinda as a heavy favorite.

Run In Peace

Last Sunday, Melinda’s friends headed by Bro. Carlo Bacalla, Haide Acuna and Michelle So organized a Run in Peace, Melinda Ponce a 5K fund-raising run with the proceeds going to her daughter Ember, the last surviving member of her family. Despite three other races happening that same day,the Melinda run gathered close to 1,500 runners. I swore everybody was there. When the smoke cleared it was announced that the run generated Php 200,000. It was also agreed that some of the proceeds go to the family of the slain housemaid Anastacia Deniega who got Php 30,000. Ember received another Php 30,000 while the rest will be given to two institutions that advocate against domestic violence. I’m sure Melinda is smiling as she watched from heaven, the people who loved and ran for her. As always I don’t say goodbye but “HASTA LA VISTA MELINDA.”

N-Dash

The N-Dash run which stands for Nurses Driving Access for Society’s Health,made a successful debut at the Terraces in the Ayala center Cebu last Saturday. Dr.Roland Fermo, the driving force behind the race said, the run was part of the 89th Founding Anniversary and the 2011 National Convention of the Philippine Nurses Association. As expected the Kenyans scooped the cash prizes and medals as they ruled the 6K and 12K divisions. In the main 12K distance, Josphat Kiptanui reigned supreme clocking 40:49:54 to beat compatriot Francis Kakui with newly-wed Mendel Lopez salvaging third place. Adonis Singson was fourth in 46:39:43 in the distaff side. Manila-based Cebuano Miscelle Gilbuena won in 55:15:82 relegating come-backing Christy Tutor to second place in 55:20:11 while Mary Jane Beboso wound up third in 55:47:64. In the 6K division-Another Kenyan Abraham Missos took then crown in 20:11:47 with Joel Delposo and Jeffrey Codino placing second and third in 21:20:41 and 23:42:36 respectively. In the women’s side Jhen Andrin repulsed her sister Lovely Fe to win in 26:42:36. Lovely Fe clocked 26:53:41 with Joeyry Lee coming in third in 26:57:25. In the 3K division, Reiz Enriquez ruled the male category in 11:02 while Aiza Suay Baguio ruled the female in 13:07.