Dr. Renald Ramiro with the winner of the “Best in Costume” award
At six in the morning today (Jan. 19), Vice Mayor Michael Rama fired the starting gun as hundreds of participants pounded the cemented roads of the Asiatown I.T. Park. In the end, after the 5-K and 21-K runners had finished, it was a huge success. Here’s part of the story written by Sun.Star Cebu’s Norvie Misa (click here to read the full story)…
Seated (from left): Raffy Uytiepo, Joey Santos, Bobby Inoferio, Jess Taborada, John Pages and Joe Deresas; (standing) Mendel Lopez, Liezl Geteruelas, Raffy Osumo
Last Thursday (Jan. 17) at 12 noon, I attended the final Press-Conference for the Mizuno-Shell Sinulog Marathon at the Olympic Ballroom of Baseline Restaurant. Presided by arguably the wittiest and funniest man in Cebu, Bobby Inoferio, it was all running-talk at the SCOOP Forum. With me were Jess Taborada (President, Cebu Executive Runners Club), Raffy Uytiepo (Race Director), Joe Deresas (Technical Director), Joey Santos (PATAFA representative), Dr. Renald Ramiro, and several of Cebu’s top runners (including Liezl Geteruelas, Merlita Arias, Madeline Carter and top male runner Mendel Lopez). It’s all “Ready, Set… and Go!” for this Saturday.
If you own a pair of running shoes, can lift one leg in front of the other and move from Point A to Z; if you love to sweat and know that while your heart is pumping 155 beats per 60 seconds then you’re getting healthier; and, best of all, if you want to join in a Sinulog activity this busy weekend—then I suggest you join me and hundreds of others this Saturday. The Sto. Niño procession? No, that’s on Saturday afternoon. The Sinulog Grand Parade? That’s on Sunday.
At 6 a.m. this Saturday—just two days from now—it’s a sports event that’s touted as one of Cebu’s biggest running spectacles this 2008: The Mizuno-Shell Sinulog Half-Marathon.
Organized by the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) and ASAP (Advertising Services And Promotions), the Sinulog Half-Marathon offers two options for all: a 5-K Run and the 21-K Half-Marathon. The start and finish will be at the Asiatown I.T. Park and participants are asked to be there by 5:30 a.m.
Registration is on-going at five locations: the Cebu City Sports Center (near the entrance gate), Mizuno Shop (SM City-Cebu), the Holiday Gym & Spa in Banilad, Sug-Angan Restaurant (along J. Llorente St.), and the Mint Sports Shop at the BTC.
Fees? They’re reasonable: For students, only P95; for the 5-K runners, P150; and for the half-marathon, it’s P250. Deadline? We highly suggest you register today (Thursday).
If you have further questions, you can call the two top officials running this event: Jesse Taborada (president of CERC) at 254-8096 or 0917-5251259, or Meyrick Jacalan (owner of ASAP Advertising) at 232-8518 or 19. See you!
The biggest day of the biggest week of the biggest time of the year is near. On Jan. 20—next Sunday—Cebu will be swarmed with Sto. Niño devotees, foreigners, San Miguel beer, fireworks, Y101 helicopter rides, street-dancing, SM and Ayala midnight-shopping, face painting and, yes, running.
Running? Yes, no misprint there; amidst all the revelry arrives one of the biggest running events in 2008: the Mizuno-Shell Sinulog Half-Marathon. And you should join it! Why? Why join a run? Why the 21-K half-marathon? Why Cebu? And why during the Sinulog? Here’s why…
Last Friday (Jan. 4) at the Casino Espanol, the group of men and women who love the sport of running held their annual party and Induction Ceremony. The Cebu Executive Runners Club boasts of several members who’ve finished the full 42-K Marathon. Here are the pictures sent to me by one of the group’s pioneers, Dr. Vic Verallo.
Last Sunday, we ran. Starting at 5:30 a.m., we jogged a few circles inside Cempark then headed for the Asiatown I.T. Park where, at that early hour, dozens stretched, trotted and biked. Next, we scooted along Juan Luna Ave. then entered the Cebu Business Park and weaved ourselves around the Ayala Center and Marriot Hotel. A few more turns until we scrambled back to finish in Banilad.
My watch? It read 8:15. Nearly three hours had passed and, yes, sweat still dripped off our shorts as our legs continued to push forward. Then, just 100 meters before we finished the 28-km. trek, Chris Aldeguer blurted the question, “Don’t you ask yourself sometimes why you’re doing this?”
ALA is The Father. You know him. Everyone knows him. Mention the words “boxing” and “godfather” and “Cebu” in the same line and you receive one reply: Antonio Lopez Aldeguer.
ALA has three children—all boys. The eldest is Jay. You know Jay. If you read this paper’s Business Section or visit the Ayala or SM malls and gaze at the Sinulog colors of Islands Souvenirs, then you know the creative genius behind the Aldeguer Group of Companies. That’s Jay. Next, there’s Michael. And this ‘007, nobody’s been more visible than Michael. If you recall the World Cup of Boxing, it was Michael in gelled hair and dark black suit who climbed the ring as manager of Boom-Boom and AJ. The eloquent speaker and new face of the ALA Boxing Gym? That’s Michael.
ALA’s youngest son? His name is Christopher Myles.
From Dr. Renald Ramiro, the organizer of yesterday’s run and the Visayas Chairman of PARM, sent me these details…
Cebu’s weather cooperated well with the launch of the PARM Visayas Advocacy on Exercise and the Plight of the PWDs today, Dec 2, 2007, Sunday. Despite an early morning downpour, the Steps of the Cebu Provincial Capitol, provided a fitting venue for the M.O.V.E. 5K RUN.
A total of around 480 runners registered, from Cebu’s topnotch road runners and athletes; PT-OT students, faculty and graduates of Cebu Doctors’ University, Southwestern University & Velez College; running & gym enthusiasts; Pharmaceutical representatives, and of course…PARM Visayas members!