Cobra Ironman lures stellar cast

LAPU LAPU City, Cebu , Philippines   â€“ A star-studded cast vies in the fifth Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines which unfolds tomorrow at the Shangri-La Mactan Resorts and Spa grounds here.

Apl.de.Ap, a Filipino member of the internationally renowned Black Eyed Peas, joins the stellar field with the Pampanga native set to see action in the bike part of the relay race of the event as part of his advocacy for free education for poor but deserving kids.

“All my life, I believe in overcoming challenges,” said Apl.de.Ap in yesterday’s Ironman launch at the Shangri-La Mactan. “In the Phl, we have many challenges but I want to focus on two, mainly 1) access to education and 2) peace in Mindanao.”

Apl.de.Ap, who also helps in promoting peace in Mindanao, then treated the participants, organizers and officials to three songs, including the popular “Where is the Love” and “Bebot.”

Aside from defending champion Pete Jacobs and former world titlist Chris McCormack, local celebrities like Drew Arellano, Erwan Heussaf, Senator Pia Cayetano and Matteo Guidicelli among others are also competing the event. 

Fred Uytengsu, who brought the event here five years ago, said he was happy to see the sport grow in terms of popularity and participation with this year’s staging drawing a record entry of 2,150 from 35 countries across six continents.

Events on tap are the 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile races.

“It’s really great to be here on our fifth anniversary and I will be lying to you if I didn’t say that we are surprised this is the biggest we have in five years,” said Uytengsu, who was accompanied by Lapu Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, Ironman brand CEO Andrew Messick and some local officials.