Dinagyang fever

I’m still here in festive Iloilo City after two weeks. Well again, it was shooting two birds with one stone. My siblings from America and Canada were arriving for the Dinagyang festival thus, it was a reunion for us, while enjoying the festivities. It was also an opportunity for me to witness the growing sports events in the city. The Mayor Jerry Treñas Dinagyang Half Marathon fired off on January 20 and Elvisaya performed at the awarding ceremonies at SM City Iloilo. The following day, the Iloilo Dinagyang Marathon Heritage Run was held at the Provincial Capitol. Of course, the city was coming from another 42.2 km race. The Iloilo City of Love International Marathon last December, Still another full marathon reels off this February 4, the 7-Eleven Run series. Then finally this March, two big sporting events will be staged, the famous Paraw Regatta and the Liberation of Panay 53k Ultra Marathon. I told my protégé race organizers, Boyet, Rentoy and Pyt Trimañez, with the rate the Iloilo runners are going, I just hope they don’t get burned out. As for your Sport Eye columnist, I’m a little burned-out myself, visiting the different tourism spots of Iloilo and Guimaras. And of course pounding the streets with the Ati-Atihan Tribes during the Dinagyang Festival last Sunday. HALA BIRA!

Miss Iloilo an athlete

Yes folks. Iloilo City’s bet for this year’s Miss Universe Philippines, Alexie Mae Caimoso Brooks, is a multi-gold medalist in high jump and heptathlon, a seven athletic event for women, in local and international events. Brooks was born in Leon, Iloilo and has won numerous medals in Iloilo sports before finally being recruited by National University, where she eventually ended up with the Philippine team and competed in the Hanoi SEA Games, where she took fifth place in the heptathlon.

Good Luck gid Alex.