Just wanted to share with you the inspiring words that came out today in The Freeman. Written by Rico Navarro, a lifelong sportsman who joined the 21K of the Cebu City Marathon, here’s his column that appears today, Jan. 15. BTW, to all… PIT SENYOR!!!!!
Read the article here.
The world of boxing is lucky. There’s Manny Pacquiao. Without him, who’d be the superstar? Other sports have plenty. There’s Lionel Messi, Usain Bolt, Novak Djokovic; there’s LBJ and KB; there’s Michael Phelps.
Boxing? Take out our Pinoy pride and there’s no more Mike Tyson or Evander Holyfield. Wasn’t boxing centered on the heavyweights? Yes. It was. Yes, that’s the past tense. Because heavyweight-superstars have disappeared.
Mixed martial arts? I confess, years back, to switching channels when the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was shown on SkyCable’s Balls channel. It was too bloody. Muscled men hugged and exchanged embraces. Someone was sure to die from this!!!
But, as time passed and superstar names like Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva, BJ Penn, Brock Lesnar and, now, Jon “Bones” Jones appeared, I’ve gotten to like the MMA. In fact, I’ve gotten to really like the UFC. I’m just as excited to watch an upcoming Gladiator-like UFC contest as I am in watching tennis or running.
Tomorrow, Friday, I’ll finally get the chance to watch this sport in person. Together with my neighbor on this page, Atty. Jingo Quijano, I’ll be at the CICC for the URCC-Cebu 7. URCC stands for Universal Reality Combat Championship and the event is entitled, “Dominate.”
“Undefeated kickboxing star Renante ‘Limbas’ Noblefranca of Yaw-Yan ArDigma has vowed a swift knockout victory as he faces Brazilian Jiu-jitsu specialist Jonathan Sumugat,” wrote my fellow sportswriter from The Freeman, Lemuel Maglinte, himself a mixed-martial artist. “It will be a battle between a striker and a grappler as Noblefranca, who is known for his deadly ‘spinning back fist’, will try to assert his mastery in kickboxing against the Davao City-native Sumugat, a gold medallist in the 2010 Pan-Asia Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Open.”
Noblefranca, only 19, has fought 28 times (wow, how old did he start, at 12 years old?). Last year at the 6th edition of the URCC-Cebu, he won a first round TKO.
“Yaw-Yan Cebu ArDigma CEO/Founder and Vis-Min director Master Benigno “Ekin” R. Caniga, Jr. expressed his confidence not only to Noblefranca but also to his other two boys that will be showing their stuff in the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) card. They are Geronimo Etac and Roel Rosauro,” continued Lemuel in his story. “Etac will challenge URCC Visayas pinweight title-holder Victor Torre of Bacolod City , while Rosauro will figure in a grudge rematch of sort against Arnel Ylanan of Mandaue’s Bullet Fighting System.”
Thank you, Lord! When the rains deluged Cebu last Saturday night, we were worried. Rain is good. It usually is. But not during a major outdoor event like a marathon. But, thanks to His divine plan, the stormy weather stopped at 3 A.M. and the skies cleared (even from the scorching sun—perfect for the runners!) the entire day. Thanks to….
CERC. It’s called volunteerism. Members of the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC)—led by our president Roy Trani—have to be lauded for the many months of preparation.
KENNETH CASQUEJO. Among the CERC members, none worked harder than Kenneth, the man behind the race-organizing company Run Check. Kenneth handled the bulk of the operations—from helping in the Registration to heading the Race Expo to delivering many of the supplies (water, bananas, Pocari Sweat). Good job, Ken!
UC. The biggest contingent was from the University of Cebu. When I met Atty. Gus Go two months ago, he promised that his students will join. They did. Numbering 2,000, they crowded the streets. Special thanks to UC’s top officials Bernard Ricablanca and Emerson Subong.
BOYING. Seven days ago, I received this SMS message: “Do you still need extra help? Although I am registered, won’t be able to run. Crashed my bike and sprained my wrist and ankle. Not being able to run will be frustrating but at least helping out and being part of it will ease the pain.” The sender? Top sportsman Boying Rodriguez, who helped last Sunday at the Plaza Independencia.
SRP. By motorcycle, I was able to tour the CCM route. The best spot was the South Road Properties. The climate was cool. Both lanes were closed to vehicular traffic. The sunlight emerged from the waters off Bohol. Thousands of brave runners mustered the courage to fight their fatigue and run.
TUNNEL. Among the 14 water stations that provided hydration, one of the best areas—manned by CERC’s Dodong Sulatre—was the tunnel. Two “higantes” entertained the runners. Free massage was offered. Cold water spray was splashed on the faces. Loud music boomed. Perfect.
12 NOON. Eight hours after we released the 42K runners at 4 A.M., the last runner, Francis Velasquez of Cagayan de Oro, arrived barefoot. He ran without shoes (to raise funds for the victims of Sendong) the entire route. We gave his wife the finisher’s medal as she donned it on him at the Finish; they kissed and hugged as we applauded.
JIGGY. Arriving just minutes before Francis was Jiggy Cerna who succumbed to leg cramps at Km. 22. Imagine limping the remainder of the way—that’s 20 more kms.—just to finish. That’s perseverance. Jiggy’s wife, Chay, who finished the 21K, patiently waited at the I.T. Park. What a gallant effort from the voice behind Y101.
MAYOR. Proclaiming during the Press Conference that a healthy body is a prerequisite for a strong mind, Mayor Mike Rama joined the 5K. He wore jersey number “1.” Councilor Edgar Labella, a long-distance runner, also ran.
CITOM. Nearly 100 traffic enforcers engulfed the city of Cebu last Sunday. With most of the roads closed to provide a safe passageway for the participants, CITOM played a most crucial role. CITOM Chairman Jack Jakosalem and executive director Raffy Yap: thanks!
YAYOY AND ED. To Cebu City Councilor Raul Alcoseba, who spearheads the Committee on Sports, his backing for the prize money was invaluable. So was the support of CCSC chairman Edward Hayco.
FIRE BRIGADE. Led by one of my closest buddies, Wilton Uykingtian, the Cebu Filipino Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigade helped cool the heating bodies of the runners. They were at Fuente Osmeña. They showered water at the SRP.
MEDICAL. In an event covering 42 kms. in scope, medical response is most essential. The CERC is blessed to have many doctor/members. Thanks to our fellow CERC member Dr. Rosan Trani, we were able to enlist 10 more groups who spread themselves all over the route. Dr. Wyben Briones was one volunteer. He was stationed at KM. 36 in Gen. Maxilom Ave. Thanks to the All Terrain Medical Relief Organization (AMRO).
Minutes after the last runner arrived at 12 noon (check the 42K clock: 8 hours, 5 minutes), members of the organizing group, CERC, gathered for that victory-party photo
To all those who participated and finished the Cebu City Marathon yesterday, January 8… CONGRATS!!! All the months and weeks of hard work on the road have paid off… and you must be resting those legs and knees and recuperating. There’s no better feeling than seeing that finish line and crossing it. See you all next year!
“The marathon is a charismatic event. It has everything. It has drama. It has competition. It has camaraderie. It has heroism. Every jogger can’t dream of being an Olympic champion, but he can dream of finishing a marathon.” – Fred Lebow, founder of the New York City Marathon.
Those words are true. A rare number of Filipinos have ever joined the Olympic Games. No Pinoy—since we joined in 1924—has won the gold. But the marathon? The distance of 42.195 kms.? Running by foot—not riding the car, motorcycle or bike? Anybody—yes, that means any body, slim or heavyweight; teenager or a 78-year-old like Raul Cepeda—can achieve “the feat of feet” called the 42K.
As you read this, thousands of runners have swarmed the streets of Cebu. They’re along Osmeña Blvd. They’ve converged at the Cebu I.T. Park. They’re sprinting in Escario, Gorordo or inside the SRP.
Foreigners joining the Cebu Marathon? Sure. There are 18 nationalities represented: from Sweden, UK, Malaysia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Australia, USA, New Zealand, Ethiopia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kenya, Malaysia, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, and Thailand.
The first participant when the online registration was opened several months back? He was from Germany. One Kenyan runner landed in Cebu two days ago. Armed with a PR of 2:13, he vowed to break the CCM 42K record.
Like our very own Sinulog, the Cebu City Marathon has become international.
Apart from those running the 42K, there will be thousands more joining the 21-km. run. Two nights ago during the Race Briefing at The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu, I said that the 42K/21K runners are lucky.
“Cebu is one of the oldest and most historic cities in the Phils.,” I said. “And, as we planned the route a few years back, we made sure that runners get the chance to pass through the most iconic landmarks of Cebu… Provincial Capitol, Fuente Osmena, Colon St. (the oldest street in the nation), Magellan’s Cross, City Hall, and Plaza Independencia. Runners also pass through the Tunnel, the only time of the year that happens; the SRP is also closed for the safety of all participants. Enjoy the scenery!”
To all CCM participants, congratulations!
QUOTATIONS. Let me leave you with these inspiring words…
“I always loved running…it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs.” – Jesse Owens
“A marathon is like life with its ups and downs, but once you’ve done it you feel that you can do anything.”
“I run because it’s my passion, and not just a sport. Every time I walk out the door, I know why I’m going where I’m going and I’m already focused on that special place where I find my peace and solitude. Running, to me, is more than just a physical exercise… it’s a consistent reward for victory!” – Sasha Azevedo
“I’ve learned that finishing a marathon isn’t just an athletic achievement. It’s a state of mind; a state of mind that says anything is possible.” – John Hanc
“The difference between the mile and the marathon is the difference between burning your fingers with a match and being slowly roasted over hot coals.” – Hal Higdon
“We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves. The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom. No one can say, ‘You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.’ The human spirit is indomitable.” – Roger Bannister
“People ask why I run. I say, “If you have to ask, you will never understand”. It is something only those select few know. Those who put themselves through pain, but know, deep down, how good it really feels.” -Erin Leonard
“Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it.” – Oprah Winfrey
This Sunday, lives will forever be changed. Thousands will run the Marathon of Cebu called the Cebu Marathon. Nearly 1,300 brave-hearts—many of them first-timers—have enlisted to run the 42.195 kilometer race called the Marathon. Another 1,200 are joining the 21K. Over 4,000 are expected to run the 5K. Five days before the gun start, here are a few pointers…
1) CHECK WEBSITE. Log on to www.cebumarathon.com. We’ve posted all the participants’ names — 42K, 21K and 5K. For any concerns, email us at [email protected].
2) VISIT RACE EXPO. Beginning tomorrow until Friday, race packs will be available for distribution. But here’s an important note: For tomorrow (Wednesday) only, the race packets of the 42K and 21K registrants will be distributed first. (All categories will be open Thursday/Friday.) CLAIMING: To receive your race pack, bring the email confirmation or claim stub that was sent/given to you.
3) JOIN CARBO-LOADING PARTY. If you’re a CCM participant, hear the final instructions and listen to top-notch runners during the Friday (Jan. 6) night Pre-Race Party. This will be at The Terraces of Ayala Center and will start 6 P.M. Load up on pasta and join the fun before the run.
4) RUN THE 5K. For those who failed to register on time last December, here’s good news. We are re-opening the registration during the Race Expo only for the 5K runners. 5K ROUTE. What’s exciting about the 5,000-meter Fun Run is the route: from Cebu I.T. Park down to Juan Luna Avenue… turn right towards the Cebu Business Park (passing along the Pag-Ibig Bldg.).. then run up to Escario St. (Parklane Hotel) before turning right to Gorordo then to JY Square … finishing at the Cebu I.T. Park.
5) TUNNEL & PLAZA. This January 8, the entire SRP Tunnel will be closed from 12 midnight until 9:30 A.M. for all the 21K and 42K runners. This is special. It is only during the Cebu Marathon that this 800-meter underground stretch of roadway is available for you to walk and run. Enjoy the tunnel!
6) PLAZA INDEPENDENCIA RUN. This park is beautiful. One of the highlights of Michael Rama’s mayorship, passing in-between the Magellan’s Cross and the City Hall then traversing inside the Plaza, we’re proud to call this running city… Cebu.
7) SRP IS CLOSED. The SRP—thanks to the joint efforts of the city governments of Cebu and Talisay—will be closed from vehicular traffic from 12 midnight until 9:30 A.M. this Sunday. Yes, I know this means inconvenience for the motorists—but it only happens once a year. And this is meant to ensure safety for the nearly 3,000 runners of the 42K and the 21K. SRP CUT-OFF TIME. For the runners, this means a cutoff time of 9:15 A.M. along the SRP and inside the Tunnel. If, by this time (which is 5 hours 15 minutes after the 4 A.M. start), you are still along the SRP/Tunnel, you will be asked to stop and ride the bus.
8) DRINKS GALORE. Nature’s Spring, our very own Cebu brand of water, will refresh all participants this weekend. For the sports drink, Pocari Sweat will be stationed along portions of the 21K and 42K route.
9) REST. With only five days left before the historic 01-08-12 date, it’s time to relax and recharge. The next few days is no time to cram your training. It’s better to be undertrained than over-trained.
10) RACE BIB. In case of emergency, we urge all runners to print the name of the person you wish to be contacted at the back of your race number. With several doctors as part of the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC), we are putting a lot of emphasis on our medical response.
11) WEAR COSTUME. Plenty of prizes will be given away to individuals and groups who don the best Sinulog-themed attire. Run and be seen.
12) FEEL THE BEAT, GET ON YOUR FEET! Thanks to the super couple named Meyrick “Jacs” and Perl Jacalan, the CCM has that perfectly-worded slogan. It’s days before the Sinulog and what better reason to run. You can dance, strut, glide, sprint or crawl. However you want to run the marathon, be sure to finish!
Rev. Billy Graham, spiritual adviser of many U.S. presidents, wrote this beautiful prayer. May these words guide all of us beginning today and for the rest of 2012…
Our Father and our God, as we stand at the beginning of this new year we confess our need of Your presence and Your guidance as we face the future.
We each have our hopes and expectations for the year that is ahead of us—but You alone know what it holds for us, and only You can give us the strength and the wisdom we will need to meet its challenges.
So help us to humbly put our hands into Your hand, and to trust You and to seek Your will for our lives during this coming year.
In the midst of life’s uncertainties in the days ahead, assure us of the certainty of Your unchanging love.
In the midst of life’s inevitable disappointments and heartaches, help us to turn to You for the stability and comfort we will need.
In the midst of life’s temptations and the pull of our stubborn self-will, help us not to lose our way but to have the courage to do what is right in Your sight, regardless of the cost.
And in the midst of our daily preoccupations and pursuits, open our eyes to the sorrows and injustices of our hurting world, and help us to respond with compassion and sacrifice to those who are friendless and in need. May our constant prayer be that of the ancient Psalmist: “Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end” (Psalm 119:33)…
As we look back over this past year we thank You for Your goodness to us—far beyond what we have deserved. May we never presume on Your past goodness or forget all Your mercies to us, but may they instead lead us to repentance, and to a new commitment to make You the foundation and center of our lives this year.
And so, our Father, we thank You for the promise and hope of this new year, and we look forward to it with expectancy and faith. This I ask in the name of our Lord and Savior, who by His death and resurrection has given us hope both for this world and the world to come. Amen.
SPORTS. My personal prayer for each of you, dear readers, is this: That we live healthier lives this 2012. To be specific, we need to spend more time taking care of ourselves. In even simpler language: we need to exercise more.
Everybody is busy. Yet, every body needs to get busy. Every body needs to sweat. Every body, despite our busyness, needs to undergo daily physical stress.
I’ve known this all my life and I’ll live with this tenet until my last breath: the more time I spend biking, running, playing tennis or badminton, swimming, or merely walking, the better I feel. My mind clears. Doubts are erased. A smile spreads across my face. Energy is restored.
I wish and pray that, for all those who’ve been dreaming of joining their first 5K or crossing that 42K marathon finish line—that this year, 2012, the Year of the Olympics in London, be that year.
Don’t delay. Don’t procrastinate. Spend the most money you can on sports—enrolling in that fitness gym, purchasing those Nike shoes, buying that elliptical machine. The more expensive, the better… you know why? Because you’ll treasure and use it more. And, the more you use these fitness gifts, the healthier you’ll become.
Run. Join the Cebu City Marathon next Sunday. Swim. Bike. Join the XTERRA this March or the Ironman in August. They’re all in Cebu. The Cebu City Sports Center? In a few months’ time, it will reopen with a brand-new rubberized track oval. Step on it.
Here’s what’s important: Allocate 30 minutes of each day’s 24 hours to sports and fitness. The more time, obviously, the better. I guarantee you: you will never regret these moments you’ve set aside for yourself.
Make this schedule part of your daily routine. Like bathing before going to work; like eating breakfast, lunch and dinner; like going to sleep… make this “sports time” a must-do, part-of-my-daily-schedule portion of your life. This is my wish for you.
Happy New Year. Happy New You.
Boying Rodriguez: 1) Fred Uytengsu invited Lance Armstrong to the XTERRA—I hope he can make it! Wow! 2) A successful Cobra Ironman Triathlon this August. As of today, 1,200+ registered coming from 40 countries! 3) I hope I recover from all the holiday eating and have a decent time in the Cebu Marathon!
Rico Navarro: I pray that the sports industry be united to push Cebu as the country’s sports capital. This covers a lot of ground from: all sports stakeholders to have the same mindset; competent hosting of events; having the most competitive athletes in all events; and having all sports/events/local NSA’s taking a united stand for all their activities.
Al Mendoza: For Pres. Noynoy to chase the masterminds of the illegal loggers that triggered deaths at the height of Sendong’s fury up to the ends of the earth. For the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight not to push through. For me to visit Liverpool, England, the birthplace of The Beatles.
Igi Maximo: To represent Cebu and race for my country in the 2012 Asian Junior Cycling Championships in Malaysia and the World Juniors in Netherlands. To be an example to the youth that being a student-elite athlete is possible. That schools would support cycling and include it in their varsity program.
Cecil Mamiit. 1) Wishing a lot of luck and success to the young tennis players with a lot of motivation and inspiration to be the next tennis hopeful to really represent the Philippines in whatever level or opportunity given to them. 2) Wishing a greater number of supporters that will be new to give help to fund or volunteer work to put tennis in a higher level with greater number of players and coaches… which we can call a great supporting cast for tennis. 3) Wishing health and guidance to a lot of the Philippine athletes to really make a possible push for Olympics.
Graeme Mackinnon: 1) That the AZKALS v CF Madrid, DILI KAMO NAG-IISA game at Rizal on Jan. 7 be a success in raising funds for the victims of Sendong. 2) That the 2012 Olympics be controversy free and be a TV fans paradise. 3) That GLOBAL FC will take out the UFL League in Manila.
Mike Limpag: Another semis stint or two for the Azkals in the Challenge Cup and Suzuki Cup, another slam or two for Maria Sharapova and I hope to run a couple of 21Ks and my first marathon.
Brian Lim: 1) Sports Tourism in Cebu to grow – emerging sports such as rugby, flag football, airsoft, electronic sports, mixed martial arts, water sports. 2) Get a multipurpose field built – For emerging sports to practice along with traditional sports. 3) To carry out the Great Cebu Sports Festival.. drawing attention to Cebu as a sporting destination.
Jean Henri Lhuillier: Wishing the best for the Philippine Tennis Academy (PTA) and that these players play to the best of their ability… to the success of the Davis Cup team. Wishing that the Cebuana Gems win the 2nd season of the PBA d league.
Yong Larrazabal: 1) That Filipinos would love the Phils. even more by stopping illegal logging, illegal poaching of its wildlife and destroying/wasting our natural resources. 2) That Cebu would regain its spot as the no.1 city in terms of quality of life, Sports and Medical Tourism. 3) That only 1 run be allowed every Sunday in Cebu so as to build a strong camaraderie among runners and not to induce divisiveness.
Noy Jopson: Cobra Ironman 70.3 offering Kona slots again. My wifey Amale improving at least 18 seconds on her 3:46.17 Marathon PR and qualifying for Boston. Our new The Brick Multi-Sport Store at the J Center Mall fulfilling the needs of the Cebu Triathlon community.
Samsam Gullas: Filipino unity. Fighting together, not against each other for one common goal. Everyone will do their part to help out in the recent flooding in Cagayan, Iligan and Dumaguete. Pacquiao fights Floyd and knocks Floyd out. Double championship for UV basketball.
Guy Concepcion: That Lance Armstrong joins the XTERRA Phils. in Liloan. That all participants have a good/safe race in XTERRA and Ironman 70.3 Phils.
Jack Biantan: Pacquiao vs Mayweather fight to push through. More success for the Azkals. Gold medal finish for the Phils. in the London Games.
Jesse Bernad: That leadership in the Philippine Amateur Baseball Association be resolved so that baseball can move on with newer programs. That local leaders continue to support baseball/softball with tournaments and provide an adequate playing field. That Cebu shall send the best team to the 2012 Little League Baseball and Softball Philippine Series.
Ricky Ballesteros: To finish the newly-refurbished track oval before March. Cebu Sports Museum and Hall Fame to complement the Cebu City Sports Center. Host the Palarong Pambansa or any international competition.
Michael Aldeguer: 1) For all the Filipinos to unite for the good of our country. 2) Philippine Boxing to bring more pride and joy to the Filipinos all over the world. 3) AJ Banal and Milan Melindo to fight for World titles as both are WBO rated #1 and #2.