One, two, three

In previous columns we talked on different styles of race organizers both veterans and newbies. We discussed on how fly-by-night organizers sometimes try to put one over the participants. Organizer Jonel Mendoza who was responsible for bringing ultra running here in Cebu said “Yan ang mahirap,isa o dalawang takbo palang, veteran race organizer na raw.” A few weeks ago, ultra-runner Allan Delantar called to ask me if I know the organizers of One Goal, One Nation: Takbo Para Pagbabago 2012-Cebu Leg, which was supposed to fire off on June 9, 2012 at Camella Homes, Talisay City. The race was cancelled due to problems encountered in some legs, Allan said. The organizers represented by a certain, Mark Valle texted the participants that they were sorry the race did’nt push through and that reimbursements will start on June 11. The date came and there was no sign of the organizers. “Naglaho parang bula”. Allan who was with me in the Hong Kong and Singapore marathons, together with the Guardo brothers, Atan, Jerry, Jeson and Joel Garganera said, Valle was not returning his calls anymore. By the way, Allan and Atan paid the Php 1,000 entry fee. I hope this is not another case of “pang-ilad”. I asked Allan if “nag ulan ba that week of the race and he said “Nyet! (that’s Russian for No). Reminds me of a race held in IloIlo City organized by a national race director that was cancelled in the last minute with over 1,000 runners already at the starting line and just waiting for the gun. Organizers said they have to cancel the run as a typhoon signal bulletin was received. Prosports president Boyet Rentoy said it was only a drizzle and that it was a timer malfunction that prompted them to call the race off. “Ano ang akala nila sa taga IloIlo mga bobo?” added Boyet.   Just in case you don’t know, race cancellation due to   inclement weather,tsunami and intensity 9 earthquake or any ”Act of God”, will exempt an organizer from reimbursing the would-be-participants. Mark Valle left his number 0927-873-3834. I told Allan “Basin iya na gi-ilisan iyang numero”. Why not try 1-2-3 or better yet, alert the NBI for a missing person by that name.

Good Move

It was a good move holding the eleventh edition of the La Salle-Ateneo Golf Classic in Bacolod City, homecourt of the La Sallites. The change of venue proved beneficial for La Salle as it trampled Ateneo for just its second win in the history of the tournament. Just in case you don’t know, some of the the best golfers in the country came from Negros Occidental. Golem Silverio, Alex Montelibano, Juvic Pagunsan, JV Tampinco, the Coscolluela brothers, Carlo Gamban, and the Gastons. My classmate Francis Gaston, a former national golf champion led the slaughter to give La Salle its runaway victory. Congratulations guys! Animo La Salle.