Hinunangan Run and Row

It’s almost two years ago when  Southern Leyte Tourism Officer Nedgar Garvez and I traveled around the scenic spots of  the province. I was in Maasin City to scout for venues for possible sports activities. Of course, I’m no stranger to Southern Leyte as my wife hails from Ichon, Macrohon. Nedgar and I went as far as Silago where surfing is slowly becoming popular. We also visited Sogod, where the Agas-Agas Bridge, the tallest  in  the country at 300  feet, is located. I was told an ultramarathon which I envisioned years back, was finally held. But the focus this time will be in Hinunangan which will be celebrating its 165th Founding Anniversary on June 24.  To mark this very special occasion, Mayor Rey Fernandez has tapped Sinulog founder Kuya Boy Odilao to organize the first-ever Hinunangan Bay Balik Baroto Regatta and the first Hinunangan Bay Marathon. That’s a two-in-one treat for athletes coming to the municipality. The event was recently launched in a presscon at  Laguna  Café where  no  less than  Congressman  Roger  “Oging” Mercado and Maasin native, Commissioner Mon Ferandez in attendance.  Mercado said he is giving his all- out support for this event which will put Southern Leyte in the Sports Tourism map. When we visited Hinunangan, Nedgar and Mayor Fernandez showed me the seven-kilometer shoreline which is ideal for aquatic sports. There are many hills and mountains in Southern Leyte which are perfect  for trail runs.  Former Maasin City Mayor Maloney Samaco who is responsible for the rise of the Pagara brothers held a trial run and the first-ever triathlon a few years back. Samaco has also promoted basketball in the city.

Big Time Prizes

Now back to the marathon, the champion in the men’s full marathon will receive Php 30,000, the second placer Php25,000, the third placer Php 20,000,4th placer gets Php15,000 and the fifth placer, Php 10,000. Sixth to tenth placers will each receive Php2,000.  In  the  distaff  side, the  champion will receive Php20,000,2nd place Php15,000, third place Php 10,000, fourth place Php 7,000, fifth place Php5,000 while 6th to10th placers will each receive Php1,000.  In the 21K half marathon,  the champions (male and female) will receive Php 10,000, 2nd placers Php 8,000, third placers Php 6,000,4th placers Php4,000, 5th placers Php 2,000 and the 6th to 10th placers will each receive Php 700.00. There will also be a 9Km category with the champions (male & female) receiving Php 8,000, 2nd placers Php 5,000, 3rd placers Php 4,000, 4th placers Php3,000, 5th placers Php 2,000.  6th to 10th placers will each receive Php 700.00. The baroto race offers Php50,000 to the champion.  As mentioned earlier some of the popular figures coming from Southern Leyte include Mon Fernandez himself, Mike Hanopol who hails from Ichon, Macrohon,Regine Velasquez, from Hinunangan, former tennis star RingoNavarosa and the late Jake Rojas.  By the way, my sister-in-law the late Lilia Leyson was a former Miss Southern  Leyte.

Did you know?

In a study that uses smartphones  to  track  daily  steps  of  about  700,000 people in 46 countries,  Hong Kong people are the  most  active  with 6,880 steps.  Russia is at  number 5 with  5,969  steps with the  US, 30th with  4,774.  Indonesians are the world’s least active with 3,513 steps

Sr. Madonna Buder

Is the  oldest  person  to  ever  finish  the  Ironman  Triathlon. Buder 87, a nun  from  Spokane, Washington  has competed  in  hundreds  of  triathlons, including  45  full  triathlon  races.