Pinoy torchbearers leave for Olympic run

MANILA, Philippines - Marcy Reyes and Joven Mallo, two Filipino employees of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), leave Manila tomorrow midnight to participate as Olympic torchbearers in a historic 300-meter run in Whitefield, a town in the greater Manchester borough of Bury, this Saturday with the 70-day, 8,000-mile journey leading to the inaugurals of the London Summer Games on July 27.

Reyes, 47, and Mallo, 30, were among 8,000 torchbearers chosen from over 28,000 nominees to carry the Olympic flame through 66 evening celebrations, six island visits and a day outside the UK in Dublin. Three other Filipinos were picked to join the runners – Rodolfo Carlos, Steven Cheung and Reymund Enterina. Carlos, 38, is manager of feasibility and investment analysis at the IHG Americas headquarters in Atlanta. Cheung, 22, is a youth leader from Waltham Forest while Enterina, 30, is an occupational therapist based in Tonbridge.

The relay will pass through 1,019 cities, towns and villages. The route covers a run of up to 300 meters each stop as 80 percent of the trek is by boat, horse, hot-air balloon, tram, train, bicycle, cable car or motorbike. The torch will come within 10 miles of 95 percent of UK’s population throughout the 70-day Olympic prelude.

Reyes will carry the torch in tandem with Mallo. “Being a torchbearer is very significant for me because I did not really expect this to happen within my entire life,” said Reyes, executive housekeeper at Holiday Inn Manila. “It is a rare opportunity for a simple person like me. I would like to tell my kababayan that I am proud to be a Filipino, that as I carry the lighted torch, I shall pray to our Lord to light up our minds, heart and soul so that peace, unity and love shall prosper throughout the world, that there shall be more sports-minded people for world peace and progress.”

Reyes was nominated for the relay by Holiday Inn resident manager Frank Schoenherr to the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG). Schoenherr cited Reyes’ dedication to her work and family as an inspiration. Reyes has worked over 18 years with Holiday Inn starting as a bills processor and moving on as staff assistant to the Vice President-Treasurer, purchasing manager and executive housekeeper.

“She committed herself to motherhood but also as a steadfast worker earning her the first Employee of the Month award in 1998 and several management positions,” said Schoenherr. “Today, Marcy has added running for a cause and feeding street children to her list of tasks. In the end, Marcy has proven that dedication to family and commitment to work can co-exist.” Reyes is married to Raul Santiago Reyes, 53, with two children Maria Trixia, 20, and Dianne Marie, 19.

A Paco Catholic College accounting graduate in 1985, Reyes is travelling abroad for the first time. She received an e-mail from the LOCOG confirming her participation as a torchbearer last Feb. 17. “When I found out I was accepted as a torchbearer, I was so happy and felt so blessed, at the same time thankful to my superiors for choosing me to represent our company,” she said. “This is my first time to visit the UK and to travel abroad, that’s why I’m so excited and nervous.”

Reyes said she often joins marathons, particularly in cause-oriented events like Ilog Pasig Run, Condura for Mangroves and Earth Run. She also bowls and last year, registered the highest pinfall in the female division at the Holiday Inn Manila Galleria tournament. “My favorite Olympic hero is Michael Phelps, a swimming gold medalist,” said Reyes whose father Benjamin, 78, is a retired batch and furnace operator and mother Gliceria, 81, is a former teacher. “He holds the record for the most gold medals in a single Olympics. He always gives his best not just to win but also to break his own record. Personally, the Olympics is a rare event in which I did not dream being a participant and that makes me very happy.”

Reyes said time management is key to her success. “With the help of my family, we manage time by having each member a definite schedule for household chores,” she said. “I spend quality time with them by doing shopping together for groceries and other needs and dining out. During my days off, I still find time to serve the community by running for a cause and joining feeding programs for street children.” Her older daughter is a fourth year Hotel and Restaurant Management student at CEU and the other daughter is a fourth year nursing student at UERM.

“IHG really gives importance to their people and employees, that’s why I’m so grateful to them,” she said. “As an Olympic sponsor and responsible business, I’m aware that IHF is concerned with what they can support or give in return to the environment and community. I’m so proud that I’m part of this brand.”