Visayas masters athletics

I was in Metro Manila last week for the National Masters and Seniors Athletics Association of the Philippines (NMSAAP) annual general assembly meeting at the  PSC office inside the Rizal Memorial  Sports Complex.  The meeting was also geard to decide whether  to postpone the Visayas leg of the trackfest set on June 29 due to time constraint, considering that last  week Manila was hosting the Phil. National Games.  Earlier, Brando Velasquez, executive director  of the Cebu City Sports Commission and sports center GM Ricky Ballesteros shared the same sentiment, more time is needed to prepare. It was a unanimous decision as the board agreed on a new date,  Aug 10 to 11 at the Cebu City Sports Center. This early, several teams have already confirmed their entry including Marikina City that will be fielding a powerhouse team.  In fact, my protege’  Roy Vence 1996 Atlanta Olympian, asked me if he could play for Marikina, being a resident there.  Other team members are Elma Muros, walkathoner Manny Oyao and Emerson Obiena.  Manila teams however will be in for a big surprise as I will be assembling  atheletes  in the higher age bracket starting from the 50-54 age group.  For instance, Cebu could field a 70-74 age group relay team composed of Rening Ylaya 77, who pocketed 6 gold medals in the recently-concluded NCR Masters Athletics invitational.  The other relay members are 71 year-old Relly Mercado, Simplicio Arcelo,75, and Imoy Pelare.  Cebu could also field Asian Games veteran Marcela Bangot ,72 in the javeline.  Some  former long distance champions like Merlita  Arias, Ireneo Illut, Mendrica Bismanos, Ronilda Rodriguez, Babette Capangpangan and Armando Salazar could spell trouble for the visitors.  We will soon be coming with the schedule of events and entry forms.  Registration center will be at the PSC Office in the Cebu City Sports Center.

World and Asian masters

 Manny Ibay also confirmed my appointment as Masters Athletics director for Visayas.  I’m therefore tasked  to appoint coordinators in Dumaguete, Bohol, Negros Occidental and IloIlo.  Once we have formed members in the regions, we could invite those willing to shoulder their own expenses to the Asian and World Masters Athletics.  Two years ago the Philippine team bagged 2 medals in the World Masters in Sacramento, USA. Emerson Obiena pocketed the gold in the pole vault while Erlinda Lavandia got the bronze in the Javelin.  Last year, the team went to Taipei City in Taiwan winning 8 gold, 7 silver and 5 bronze medals.  This year’s World Masters will be held in Porto Alegre  in Brazil then in 2015 in France while the Asian Masters will be  staged in Japan next year.

Sugbo island ultramarathon

The Sugbo Island 250km Ultramarathon will be staged as scheduled on June 14-16 at the Santander Municipal Hall. Chief organizer Jonel Mendoza said only 20 participants have been accepted after rejecting several applicants who failed to meet the requirements that he or she should have finished two 100km ultramarathon. We are also cancelling the relay category due to lack of participants.  Lately, there have been too many ultramarathons that either sideline  the runners with injuries while others burned out.

Elvis  at tourism night

While I was lining at the US Embassy for my visa interview, Ben Yapjoco called to ask if Elvis is available to sing at Marco Polo Plaza Hotel during the Tourism Night of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce which is celebrating Cebu Business Month. Well, who could say no to people like Ben.  Lulu Alino, Ted Locson, Mila Espina and Dennis Wong.  After that successful two-hour show at Robinsons place last month, Elvis will soon rock Marco Polo.  By the way, now that my visa is approved there’s no stopping my scheduled visit to Graceland in Memphis, Tenn.  I’ll just check if “Ila gilimpyohan ang akong lubong”.  Then I’ts gonna be Las Vegas, Los angeles and finally New York City where I’ll be jaming with Joe Custudio’s band.