With renewed vigor in life, Yolanda survivor races to glory in Milo Marathon

CEBU, Philippines - A year after Yolanda ravaged Central Visayas, nothing much has changed in Tolosa, Leyte, one of the towns that had been heavily damaged by the stronger typhoon to ever hit the planet. That except for the renewed vigor in life felt by Jerry Adap, one of the close to 27,000 runners who excelled in the Cebu leg of the 38th National Milo Marathon at the Cebu City Sports Center over the weekend.

Adap is one of the only two entries from Cebu who breached the qualifying time that earned them an all-expense paid trip to Manila for the national finals this December 7.

Adap, who finished a strong second in the 21-kilometer men's open division with the time of hour, 15 minutes and 21 seconds, started running way back in his high school days when a former teacher said he had potential in athletics.

“I was told that I had potential that is why I am encouraged to train and try. I used to run in the 1,500 and 2 000-meter run and eventually got a chance to represent my region (Eastern Visayas) to the 2009 Palarong Pambansa,”

However, because of the absence of support from his school, he decided not to join the Palaro and instead trained in long distance running until he got the chance to compete in the Tacloban leg of the 2009 edition of the National Milo Marathon.

Adap’s first try in the 21-km landed him at 4th place overall.

Adap didn’t pursue college anymore because of financial difficulties. He went to Manila to work as a driver in 2010 and that gave him the chance to see action in the Metro Manila leg of the Milo marathon in that year where he placed at the top 10.

In 2013, Adap went back to Tacloban and competed in the regional leg where he came out sixth with a time of one hour and 16 minutes, just a minute away from enjoying a free trip for the finale.

His return to Leyte had another purpose though as super storm Yolanda badly hit their place. Luckily for Adap’s family, they heeded to advise  of local officials to evacuate from the area since their house was just approximately 150 meters away from the shoreline.

“When Yolanda came, we were already in the mountain.We went up there and asked for temporary shelter to a family we didn’t even know. The following day, we went back to our house only to find out it was almost gone,” said Adap.

For several months, Adap said they lived in a tent provided for affected families of the calamity until he learned of the Cebu leg and started training again.

Before all hope is gone, Adap came to realize he has to do something to help his family.

“As soon as I heard of the schedule of the Cebu leg, I went back into training. I really wanted to win for the money so I can go back to Manila and find a new job and help my family.”

Adap revealed that training in Tolosa was much harder now because the roads are damaged. When it’s time to rest, he couldn’t get the comfort he needed because their house is still under repair.

Despite the odds that beset his preparations for the Cebu leg, the 23-year-old Adap still managed to pull off some surprises.

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When cramps started to go up his legs in the final five kilometers, Adap tried to hang on until he crossed the finish line.

And as soon as he completed the race with flying colors, he realized that there is something more he can do out of running in this Nestle Philippines-bankrolled event.

As he goes to the national finals, Adap has come to realize that there is more than just money and helping his family in his pursuit for glory in the running circuit. His purpose here is to give hope and serve as an inspiration to others especially those who have lost faith in themselves. (FREEMAN)