Rey Antoque is presently one of the Coaches of the Elite Team Bald Runner. His credentials as a runner speak for itself. He had been with the Elite Team for the past ten (10) months. What I like with him is that he started to train hard for the Marathon Race at the age of 33 years old, an old age for an elite runner for the Marathon distance.
His performance in Marathon Races in the 1990’s and early 2000’s speaks well of his focused training, dedication, perseverance, and determination.
On his first competition on Marathon Road Racing, Rey placed No. 4 in the 1990 Pilipinas International Marathon with a time of 2:24:06 hours which was considered at that time as the fastest time for a Filipino in a marathon race held in the country. He was 33 years old.
After one year of training for the Marathon distance, he placed #3 Overalll in the 9th PAL Manila International Marathon in 1991 at the age 0f 34 years old.
In 1992, the following year, he won as Champion in the 16th MILO Marathon with a time of 2:28:47 hours at the age of 35 years old. At that time, he won a Cash Prize of P 60,000.
Picture Depicts The Intensity of Rey's Race & Finish
In 1993, he was the 1st Top Filipino and 2nd Overall in the Pilipinas International Marathon where a Belgian runner won as Champion. Rey Antoque improved his time at 2:27:32 hours.
In 1994, he was the Champion in the 12th PAL Manila International Marathon on March 13, 1994 with a time of 2:28:24 hours. He was able to beat and overtook the younger Guiseppe Veletti of Italy who was then 25 years old on the last kilometers of the race. Antoque was then 36 years old.
Guiseppe Veletti of Italy & Rey Antoque
In 1995, the following year, he was able to defend his title as the Champion in the 13th PAL Manila International Marathon on March 12, 1995 beating again a younger Lucio Danza of Italy (28 years old) who was with Guiseppe Veletti. He registered a time of 2:28:02 hours at the age of 37 years old. He won P 100,000 as the Champion and additional prize of P 50,000 for being the Top Filipino Finisher.
Women's Champion Praskovia Gregorenko of Russia Gives Rey a Buss
On July 30, 1995, he was the Champion in the 1995 SIJORI (Singapore-Johor Bahru-Riad) International Marathon Race held in Johor, Malaysia with a time of 2:33:16 hours. He won a prize of RM 10,000.
Malaysian Newspaper With Rey Antoque in the SIJORI Marathon
In November 20, 1994, he was the Champion in the 5th 10-Mile YAKULT Run with a time of 1:03:15 hours.
In 1996, he was the Champion in the 9th Annual PUMA Half-Marathon with a time of 1:08:46 hours.
In 2004, he won the Gold Medal in the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter runs in the ASIAN MASTERS Championship held in Bangkok, Thailand.
Rey Antoque, 54 years old @ BOTAK's 1-Street Mile Run
He shared some of his “training secrets” of which I am going to divulge in this post.
He trains and prepares the whole year only for ONE Marathon Race Event.
He spends and stays in Baguio City at least 6 months during his training. Kennon and Naguilian Roads were his training routes.
He applied what he learned from a Kenyan elite runner—running three (3) times with a distance of 5,000 meters in 15 minutes with 3-5 minutes of rest/interval in between repetitions in his speed workouts at the oval track. I did this speed workout once (in 23 minutes) and I had to rest & recover for two days!
He runs twice a day, morning & afternoon, reaching up to 200+ kilometers mileage per week. His long run workouts exceeded the marathon distance!
He is a disciple of Arthur Lydiard.
(Note: News Clippings Courtesy of Rey Antoque’s Files & Memorabilias)
Tatakbo Ka Ba? GMA-7 5K/10K Run @ The Fort/ 6:02 AM 30 August 2009
This was my general feeling when I finally registered to participate in the GMA-7 10K Run. Who cares about the incoming elections, anyway? The purpose of my participation of this run was to evaluate my racing performance after doing a lot of running workouts for the past weeks. I wanted to run in this race with an average pace of less than 5 minutes per kilometer.
One of the 3 Stages Prepared For The Race
The race was scheduled at 5:30 AM and I was already at the starting area at about 5:15 AM. I was surprised to see the festive atmosphere of the place with the presence of three (3) elevated stages; one for the race which was located at the far back of the runners & front-left side of the starting line and another big covered stage for the “special program” initiated by GMA-7 for the swearing in of oath by the candidates for the presidential elective position. Most of the runners at the corral area were not interested or listening on what the Emcees were announcing. In the first place, I don’t watch GMA-7 programs and I really don’t know the personalities or even the news broadcasters. Instead, I started to stretch my leg muscles while waiting for the race to start. I saw the family of Annalene aka The Meek Runner and I approached them. I had a brief time talking to them until such time the Emcees transferred at the front of the starting area and continued their program. We were surprised that we just heard the starting gun.
"Mass Start" For the 5K & 10K Runners
The number of runners who joined this race was also unprecedented. There were lots of runners and I can estimate that it reached at least 4,000 + participants. I am sure the runners did not participate the race because of the presence of the politicians but I am pretty sure most of the runners just wanted to run and the rest of the participants wanted to see the “stars” and personalities of GMA-7.
The other small stage infront of the Starting Line
The race finally started at 6:02 AM and it was a “mass start” for both the 5K & 10K runs. Since I was few meters from the front runners, I started slowly making sure to warm-up my leg muscles. I weaved through the slower runners as I tried to find my comfortable space and pace during the start of the race. From the start, I slowly passed the slower ones and those who made a dash from the starting area who ultimately run slower after running for about a kilometer. All the streets were fully packed with runners and I could hardly weaved through the runners. It was only at the 2.5-km turn-around where the 10K runners started to have more space. From the 2.5-km point, I started to peak up my pace and was able to pass more of the runners. Running towards the Market! Market! area was a breeze as I saw a lot of familiar faces who were ahead of me and those who were trailing me as I passed at the turn-around area.
The problem about the narrow route at the British School and at the vicinity of DILG’s Public Safety College started to be encountered by the 10K runners as most of the 5K runners and “walkers” occupied the road. At this point, it was the last 3 Kms of the 10K route. I had another problem of weaving through the slower runners & “walkers” that made my pace slower up to the point when I reached the road in between the new St Luke’s Hospital and the Ford Car Store.
After running through the streets west of Rizal Drive, I knew I still have one more kilometer to go before the Finish Line. On the last Five Hundred Meters before the Finish Line, I had to slow down because of so many spectators along the route who completely filled almost one-half of the road. The spectators were waiting for the “stars” and GMA-7 personalities to finish the race.
After Crossing The Finish Line
I finished the 10K run in 46:29 minutes with an average pace of 4:40 minutes per kilometer (based from my GF watch). I was able to run well during the race but it could had been better if not for the numerous runners that clogged the narrow streets along the route.
After the race, I did not bother watching the program being prepared by GMA-7 for the politicians. I just overheard that they were reciting an oath that mentioned that “they will be honest, that they will serve the poor and hungry, that they will not abuse their power, that they will not “pocket” the money of the government which are to be used for education, social services, and infrastructure, that they will “so and so”. Whatever, Guys! It sucks to see the politicians reciting such oath infront of the runners and signing such oath on LIVE TV Telecast. If you can not even support or see to it that we attain Sports Excellence in the country, then stop promising to serve the “poor and the hungry” and the the whole country! To me, everything was “bull….”; empty promises; and a “show” to be forgotten after it will be published on the daily newspapers & seen on TV newscasts and finally, I am sure the Race Organizer was laughing all the way to the bank despite of so many “lapses” (again)!
I am already tired mentioning to this blog the different “lapses” of the Race Organizers. As a runner, I just want the following things to be perfect, at least—appropriate length of table for the water stations; abundance of water & water cups in Water Stations; accuracy on the route distance; presence of digital clock at the Finish Line & publication of Race Results; and lastly, punctuality of scheduled time on the start for the race.
The "Presidentiables" & Politicians At The Biggest Stage
The race was significant because I was able to meet new acquiantances (Raffy Uytiepo & others); awarded my “1,000-Km Club” Finisher’s T-Shirt to Joseph Baltazar; talked to the family of David & Rowena from Great Britain; meet a young runner at the age of 11 years old who beat me by one second; meet the Finishers of the 1st BDM 102K (Ralph Salvador, Eric Socrates, & Dionisio Potonia); talked to the registrants of the 1st MASTERS 15K Run; and happy to see the awarding of the winners of this race who are members of my Elite Team Bald Runner. The following pictures will speak for themselves:
At The Team Bald Runner Booth (Note: BR's Logo)Natz aka i2runner with GF & Coach TitusAwarded "1,000-Km Club" Finisher's T-Shirt To Joseph Baltazar (On my left side)Raffy Uytiepo, "El Numero Uno" Race Organizer of Cebu City (on my right)Kid Lindangan (11-year old young runner) & Dad After The Finish Line
I just received an e-mail from the Race Organizer of the Los Angeles Marathon stating therein that their Online Registration will be open effective on August 31, 2009. The Race Day will be on March 21, 2010. The last day of Registration will be on March 1, 2010. The Race Route will be completely different from the past editions as the race will start at the Dodgers Stadium and end in Santa Monica Beach. Registration Fee is $125.00.
From this information, let me point the following observations:
1. Registration Period—An International Marathon Event opens its registration at least six (6) months before Race Day. This is a positive indication that the event will push through and it is already calendared in the list of Marathon Races in any of the websites maintaining a list of Marathon Races in the USA or in International Cities/Countries. The 6-month period is an appropriate duration to train for the said event. May the Local Race Organizers learn from this.
2. Deadline of Registration Period—If the Online Registration published the date for the deadline of Registration, such date will be strictly followed. There will be no “special” accommodation for late registrants! The reason why the Race Organizers always set a deadline for registration in International Marathon Event is that they want a 100% Customers Satisfaction to all the participants. This is translated to efficient production of Race Packets, Finisher’s T-Shirts, Medals, & Certificates to include coordination for security, medical, and safety protocols for the said race. On the said race, the Race Organizers had at least 3 weeks before the distribution of kits and on the race day to prepare the Race Packets of the participants to include the “giveaways” at the Finish Line. I hope our local Race Organizers will learn from this to avoid some “lapses” in the distribution of kits. It is also on this period that the race results encoders will be able to input all the data of the runners in their Master List of Participants for easy post-processing of results immediately after the last runner had passed the Finish Line. It should be noted also that the entity that receives your Online Registration is completely a different group from the Race Organizer.
3. Registration Fee—The registration fee is $ 125.00. Nowhere in the website where you can see where your registration fee will be used. The Race Organizer will not explain where your registration fee is going to be spent!!! If the Race Organizer decides not to give you a singlet or Finisher’s Shirt, they don’t need to explain. It’s either you want to pay the registration fee or not/join the race or not! It’s your choice. However, I am sure the money you paid for the registration is worth the experience during the race.
4. No Need To Invite Elite Foreign Runners—Let the name of the city or location of the Marathon Event speaks for itself. However, if you announce your Marathon Race as an International Event with 60 days before Race Day, there is a slim chance that the best international runners will be coming to participate in the said event. The best runners are already focused to join races which had been known by them 5-6 months ago. If ever foreign runners will participate in our International Marathon Events for the months of October & November, these runners would be their 2nd or 3rd rate runners. We hope these runners to arrive in the country at least two weeks before race day in order to acclimatize with the weather and humidity.
This road race was supposed to be conducted last 28 June 2009 as one of the “side events” of the BOTAK’s Paa-tibayan 100K Run but it was postponed to this date. Since I did not intend then to join this race after the fiasco during the BOTAK’s Marathon Race on the first week of May and the fact that I joined the Los Angeles Marathon on the last weekend of June, I did not know about the original route and the reason why it was re-scheduled to a later date.
It was almost a month that I did not join any road race after I finished the 5K Team Relay Run held at the ADMU Campus. I finally decided to join this race to make the 10-Mile event as my evaluation/performance race after one month of training since my last road race.
Thirty minutes before the race, I was already at the vicinity of the starting area doing my stretching and warm-up exercises and I was with the members of the Elite Team Bald Runner who were registered for the 10-Mile, 5-Mile, and 1-Mile Street Mile. Few minutes before the start, I was able to meet and talk to Jonel aka Bugobugo and we talked about our race strategy. I had the impression that he was prepared to do a fast run on this race after he told me that he will be going for a “negative split”.
At The Starting Area A Few Seconds From The Starting Line
After a short program, the race started at exactly 6:00 AM for the 10-Mile runners and the rest of the 5-Mile runners were left behind to start after a few minutes. I did not expect this race as a “big event” but I knew that the basic needs for the runners and the requirements for a good race were in place. As I started the race, I was surprised to see the first water station on the first 200 meters from the starting line. I said to myself that this must be a good sign of a good race. I tried to grab one of the water cups from the two volunteers manning the water station but somebody got the cups from them and I had to continue with my run. I am glad Jonel was able to grab two water cups from the table and he gave me one. Thanks, Jonel.
Chasing Jonel aka Bugobugo During The Race
After running 500 meters, Jonel left me for good as he started to slowly go on “race mode” and I just maintained my race pace of about 5:00 minutes per kilometer. My first loop was a fast one as I registered a sub-25-minute for the 5+ kilometer distance. After the first loop, the race started to be boring but I just maintained my pace and find enjoyment of running along the shady route of the UP Diliman Campus. Some of the runners would greet me along the way and some of them were the faster runners who reached the turn-around area ahead of me.
I had observed that BOTAK improved a lot in the way they conduct their race. I’ve seen PATAFA personnel who were manning the timer/digital clock and as staff of the technical group at the Finish Line; lots of volunteers and route marshals with directional signages & kilometer marking along the route; lots of water supply in water stations; additional ice cold Gatorade sports drinks in separate Gatorade Aid Stations with the proper Gatorade cups; and lastly, nice music rendition of an “acoustic” band at the Finish Line Area which gave me a boost every time I passed or completed every loop. I heard more good music after I finished the race as I waited for the other finishers and the other races during the 1-Mile Street Run.
BOTAK’s had improved in their water/sports drinks Aid Station and in their directional & kilometer marking signages. Gone are those days when race organizers in races at the UP Campus would lack drinking cups for the second loop. The race marshals were also efficient in reminding the runners on what turn or street to take during the race which is a sign that they know the route of the race. Since the race clock of PATAFA was at the Finish Line, I have the impression that the race time results was efficiently recorded. I just hope that the race results will be published soon.
My Running Form On My 2nd Loop
The hardest part of the race was running the third time for the last loop! The sun was already hot but I was glad that water & cups were still abundant and even the Gatorade drinks were still cold and available in every Aid/Water Station. Every time I reached a Water Station, I had to grab two cups–one for drinking and one for dousing water to my bald head and it was very refreshing. I started to feel hungry but I was reluctant to use the GU Sports Gel tucked inside the small pocket of my CW-X tight shorts and have it reserved for my additional 8K run after the race. I tried to pass as many runners I could reach during the last loop as I thought I was increasing my pace but after uploading the data from my GF watch, I found out that I was decreasing my pace! Maybe the runners infront of me were getting exhausted due to the heat and they were getting slower, too! Finally, I reached the Finish Line and I was satisfied with my performance as I registered an average pace of 5:00 minutes per kilometer for the whole race.
Jonel Before The Finish LineFew Meters From The Finish Line
Everything seemed to be perfect but what I’ve observed to be lacking was very minimal. I reached the finish line at exactly 1:19:00 hours based from the digital clock at the Finish Line but when I saw the distance registered in my GF watch, I found out that the distance was 15.64 kms. The distance I’ve ran lacked 360 meters! I really don’t know if my watch’s reading was accurate as one runs along the UP Campus. There might be some inaccuracies with the GPS of the watch when running in a thickly vegetated or tree-covered route. However, when I saw Ian Alacar, the Race Organizer of the event few days after the race, I asked him if the 1-Mile Street Run was properly measured by the PATAFA and he said, “Yes”! Then, I supposed, the 10-Mile & 5-Mile Runs were also properly measured by PATAFA, too. I just hope my GF watch did not register the right distance while running at UP Diliman Campus. By the way, I did not break any PR time with this race.
Ian, congratulations for a nice race to include the conduct of the 1-Mile Street Run. I like the singlet that goes with the Race Packet for this race. So far, this was the only complimentary singlet that I used during a road race.
This time it was at the Head Office of the American Presidents Line (APL) located in one of the corporate buildings at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex. This was our 8th Running Clinic to the different Corporate Offices situated in Metro Manila.
The first part of the Running Clinic was a Lecture at the Conference Rooms of APL. It started at 3:15PM of August 17, 2009 and finished at 5:00PM. The lecture was followed with an Open Forum and there were lots of interesting questions from the participants. The questions were answered and Coach Titus Salazar initially conducted a portion of the practical exercises to be done by the participants.
Maurice McKeating, President of APL Phil Led the Participants
Participants In The Running Lecture
Another View of the Lecture
The second part of the running clinic was the practical application of the basics and principle of training in running. The practical part was done at the beachfront/Seaside of the Mall Of Asia Complex. The session was led by Coach Titus Salazar and was assisted by the members of the Elite Team Bald Runner. Warm-Up and stretching exercises were done before the group was made to jog a portion of the Seaside Area. After the drills were introduced and done, the participants were made to group themselves for a team shuttle run competition. The exercises made each of the participants perspire and shed some calories. They were even taught how to pick-up/grab water cups and drink while they are on the run, a good starter for future runners joining their first road race.
Stretching Exercises & Stationary Drills/Jumps
Warm-Up RunLots of Drills During the ClinicMore Drills To EverybodyAnother "Long Run" For The ParticipantsHow To Pick-Up Water Cup While RunningGroup Picture After The Running Clinic
Lastly, my team encouraged the participants from the Head Office of APL to form and organize their Corporate Running Team so that they could train as a group and finally join the different weekend road races in Metro Manila.
To the APL group, thanks for the hospitality and the “freebies” you shared to the Team Bald Runner.
The Elite Team Bald Runner joined two road races yesterday, Sunday, 23 August 2009. The following were the results where the members were able to get “podium” finish places:
BOTAK Paa-bilisan 10-Mile/5-Mile/1-Mile Street Runs @ UP Diliman Campus
10-MILE Run:
Rene Desuyo—1st Runner-Up (2nd Place) Overall in the 10-Mile Run with a time of 54:26 minutes.
Frankreader Indapan—2nd Runner-Up (3rd Place) Overall in the 10-Mile Run with a time of 54:30 minutes
Milbert Nabuab—2nd Place in the Age Category (18-25 yrs old) & 6th Place Overall in the 10-Mile Run with a time of 1:00:46 hours
Christian Dalida—3rd Place in the Age Category (18-25 yrs old) in the 10-Mile Run with a time of 1:07:00 hours
Anna Vargas—2nd Place in the Age Category for Women’s (26-39 yrs old) in the 10-Mile Run
Rene Desuyo Before The Finish LineFrankreader Indapan Before The Finish Line
5-MILE Run:
Marecil Maquilan—Champion, Women’s Overall Category in the 5-Mile Run with a time of 32:15 minutes
Raul Lamprea—Champion, Men’s Age Category of 26-39 yrs old in the 5-Mile Run with a time of 25:40 minutes
Gerald Sabal—2nd Runner-Up (3rd Place Overall) in the 5-Mile Run with a time of 27:11 minutes.
Rey Antoque—1st Runner-Up (2nd Overall) in the Age Category of 40 yrs old & above with a time of 31:40 minutes.
Marecil Maquilan Winning The 5-Mile Run, Women's Category Gerald Sabal (Middle) at the 5-Mile Run
1-MILE Street Run:
Alquin Bolivar—1st Runner-Up (2nd Overall) in the 1-MILE Street Run with a time of 3:56 minutes.
Rey Antoque—6th Overall Place in the Age Category of 40 yrs old & above with a time of 5:05 minutes
Running Coach Rey Antoque at the 1-MILE Street RunThe "Flying" Alquin Bolivar @ the 1-MILE Street Run
After I participated in this morning’s BOTAK 10-Mile Run at UP Diliman Campus, I stayed at the Campus for another 8-kilometer slow run and then waited for the start of the 1-Mile Street Run. I did not join the 1-Mile Street Run but I cheered for the members of the Elite Team Bald Runner who joined this event.
When the Kid’s/Youth’s Wave started, I positioned myself on the last 20 meters before the Finish Line with a good view of the runners approaching and watch their facial expressions on the last sprint towards the Finish Line. This wave was won by a 12-year old kid whose name is Duncan who registered a finish time of 4:36 minutes for the 1-Mile Street Run.
As he passed on my position towards the Finish Line, I observed his running shoes. I was shocked to see his shoes!
Let the following pictures describe what I’ve seen which broke my heart for this young runner who has the potentials of being a future “Olympic” athlete…
His right shoe was wrapped with Masking Tape!!!His Shoes Are Torn on The Sides!This is Duncan, A Future Olympian
If you want to help Duncan, please leave your Comment. His running shoes size is 7.
5:30 AM January 31, 1982/Start & Finish @ Quirino Grandstand, Luneta Park
The 1st Metro Manila International Marathon was held under the auspices of the SIGLAKAS, a mass-based Sports Program of Minister Elpidio Dorotheo of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, and the Marathon Association of the Philippines. Coca-Cola and Lagerlite Beer were the major corporate sponsors of the said marathon race.
A Marathon Exposition was held at the Century Park-Sheraton Hotel where famous Marathon Champions Bill Rodgers and Katherine Switzer were invited to speak and deliver lectures to the running community. Dr John Wagner of the Honolulu Marathon Association was also one of the invited speakers. The Expo was officially opened and sponsored then by Miss Imee Marcose as the Kabataang Barangay (KB) National Chairman. The said Expo was conducted two days before the date of the Marathon Race. On the morning of the day before the opening of the said Expo, a short run from Luneta Park to Malacanang Palace dubbed as “International Friendship Run” was held in the presence of Bill Rodgers, Katherine Switzer, Waldemar Cierpinski, Peng Jiazheng of People’s Republic of China, Minister Dorotheo, and other Sports Officials. The said run culminated with a breakfast at the Palace with then President Ferdinand Marcos.
This Marathon Race was a well-planned event that the prevailing ratio of the Runners and the Officials/Marshals and Aid-Station Volunteers was 1:1. With 1,000 runners in the said race, there were also 1,000 Officials/Marshals & Volunteers who were involved in making this race a success.
This race was well attended by graduates of a 9-month Scientific Fun Run Clinic sponsored by San Miguel Corporation (SMC). The running clinic was held every Monday, Wednesday & Friday at 5:30-7:30 PM at the periphery of Ugarte Football Field in Ayala and Long Run sessions at the Quezon Circle on Sundays. A Lagerlite Beer Running Club headed by Angel Colmenares was also one of the famous/active corporate running teams fielding 41 marathon runners in the said event.
The top 3 runners of the (Men’s & Women’s Categories) received Presidential Trophies and the top 200 runners were awarded the Presidential SIGLAKAS Medals. The awarding ceremony of the Winners was done at the Malacanang Palace at 3:00 PM on the same day of the race with no less than the President as the Guest of Honor. At the finish line, every runner received a Finisher’s Medal, Singlet, Finisher’s Certificate, and every runner drank lots of Free Coke and Lagerlite Beer!
Waldemar Cierpinski of East Germany, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist in Marathon (1976 & 1980), won the 1st Metro Manila International Marathon with a record time of 2:14:27 hours which up to this time is the “all-comers” record time in a Marathon Race in the country. Cierpinski adapted to the weather and humidity of Metro Manila by arriving in the country three (3) weeks before the race. I think this was the primary reason why Cierpinski was smiling and running at a steady pace when I met him going back to the finish line at the Guadalupe Area (infront of the Loyola Memorial Park) as I was going to the Ortigas turn-around (infront of the Robinson’s Galleria).
The second runner who arrived at the Finish Line was a certain Ricardo Carillo, a Filipino runner with a time of 2:35+ hours.
The race route was very simple then as it started at Quirino Grandstand and went all the way along Roxas Boulevard up to the Paranaque Coastal Road and back; turn right at Buendia Blvd; right at Ayala Avenue; left at EDSA until the turn-around point at crossing Ortigas Ave & EDSA and retrace the same route back to the Quirino Grandstand with runners immediately turning right a Roxas Blvd at the end of Buendia Ave. Runners had to go at the underpass of Shaw Boulevard and at that time one lane of EDSA was devoted to the runners.
1st Metro MIM Newspaper Ads With The Picture of Cierpinski
(Fm Left to Right) Katherine Switzer, Gail Swain, Bill Rodgers, Angel Colmenares, & Waldemar Cierpinski
“The Graduates” of the Quezon City’s Class ’81 of the Johnsons & Johnsons “Band-Aid” Family Marathon Clinic @ UP Diliman
What are the things we learned from our past road races during the early 80s when the first “running fever” hit the country? In my opinion, the following are some of the “pointers” and my personal assessment of the road races then:
1. First, the National Government, through the MYSD, was the overall race organizer of this Marathon Race with the direct involvement of the President of the country down to the MMDA and different cities in Metro Manila.
2. If a road race was a Full Marathon, then, it was solely a Marathon Race. There were no other lesser-distance road races on the sides.
3. There was full support from the private sector due to the presence of different corporate running clubs and their sponsorships.
4. World-known Marathon Champions were invited with the proper Exposition and Lectures from them and from sports & medical experts and this was indicative of a well-prepared Marathon Race. It also means that money were spent to invite such “international stars” in running. No Cash Prizes were published for the winners.
5. The 1:1 ratio of the runners and the officials/marshals & volunteers was really a “big” task then to make sure that the runners were safe and secured. The volunteers then were well-trained and prepared.
6. If my memory is still right, the registration fee then was One Hundred Pesos (P 100.00) and the runners were well-supported with hydration and fresh fruits in Aid/Water Stations along the route.
7. Runners did not have any complaints about registration as every applicant got his/her race packet upon registration. There were no complaints on route distance accuracy; race results; and traffic during those days. I wonder how the SIGLAKAS and the Marathon Association of the Philippines did to make our road races then without any problems! I guess, the people behind these races were then well-trained, coordinated, and matured, in short, they were “professionals” & experts in their field.
8. Marathon Races and other Running Events were given “preferential” and favorable exposure through news stories in Sports Pages in Daily Newspapers then, up to the point of relating dramatic stories of top competitors and predictions who will win the race. At this time, except for the annual MILO Marathon Eliminations and FINALS, all the other running events are featured in the Lifestyle Section/Pages of our Daily Newspapers (days and weeks after the race). For almost two years of being a runner-blogger, I have yet to see a picture of a Top Finisher/Champion of a Road Race running towards and crossing the Finish Line Tape in the Lifestyle or Sports Section in any of the broadsheets!!!
9. Running Clinics which were sponsored by Corporate Offices had a training period of Nine (9) Months in preparation for the runners’ first Full Marathon Race. These running clinics were supervised by trained coaches and conducted at least, three times a week. These running clinics were fully advertised in the local newspapers. Experts on sports injuries, nutrition, and past Marathon Champions were invited to speak before the runners. I was not able to join these clinics before as I was assigned in the Ilocos region, however, I trained for my first marathon race for almost one year, running at least 10 kilometers everyday and 20-30 kilometers in my weekend long runs.
(Note: Photos Taken From the Philippine Daily Express dtd 31 January 1982)
In the early morning of July 16, 2009, I was invited for a meeting with the leadership of NESTLE, Philippines in the presence of his staff and Mr Jim Lafferty of P & G Philippines. The discussion was centered about my Elite Running Team Program which I had organized 14 months ago. Being the most consistent corporate entity in the country which had been supportive to running events, I was also informed that NESTLE has been closely looking for “ways and means” to contribute in the country’s quest for our first Olympic Gold Medal in any of the Sports events. Since my Elite Running Team Program was also in conjunction with NESTLE’s objective, the meeting resulted to positive efforts to enhance the training and exposure of the Elite Team Bald Runner in running events within the country and the possibility of exposure to road running events outside of the country.
As Mr Nandu Nandkishore, Chairman & CEO of NESTLE, Phils., had said during the meeting, “We have to start “walking” together towards our destination”. For almost one month since our first meeting, NESTLE, Phils and the Elite Team Bald Runner had been “walking” together.
To Mr Nandu, his staff, and Mr Jim Lafferty, thank you very much!
Let the following pictures describe the said visit & meeting at NESTLE Philippines.
Mr Lafferty, Mr Nandu, BR & Coach SalazarMr Nandu & BR Had Started To "Walk"Details of the Meeting Were Discussed With Mr Dennis Austriaco, Sr VP of NESTLEMr Pat Goc-Ong & Mr Lester Castillo of NESTLE Were Also Included In The Discussions
It was a sudden invitation to the Hardcore Runners to offer a “runabout” for President Cory Aquino on the day of her burial. It was supposed to be a minimum of 50-Km run around Metro Manila but due to sudden “meetings” for the day and plan for the runners to conserve their strength in preparation for the Baguio City MILO Eliminations this coming Sunday, it was decided to have a run of about 20 kilometers, rain or shine! The assembly time was set at 5:00 AM of August 5 at the ROX, Bonifacio High Street and the runners arrived one by one. Finally, we assembled a group of 7 runners—Jonel aka Bugobugo; Jerry Karundeng aka High Altitude; Lester Choayap; Francisco Lapira; BR; Mari Javier; & Kim O Connell. Our run started at 5:20 AM with the plan to run at least a 20K distance.
Goodbye To The 1st Lady President of the Country (Photo From LA Times)
After running for about 1 1/2 kilometers, we met Sir Amado aka Reinier6666 whom I thought to be going back to where he started already. He was too early for his daily workout and I thought he was at the ULTRA Oval Track as it was his weekday run. I guess, he was also doing his personal tribute run for the former President. We continued our slow and steady run at Lawton Avenue despite the strong rains and wind. Our plan was to reach NAIA 3 and have our turn-around point at the “big circle/rotunda” before the entrance of the said airport terminal. Since it was a “runabout”, we expected to have “stops” for photo-ops and we did just like that.
Assembly Time at 5:00 AM @ R.O.X.
While passing along the Headquarters Philippine Army along Lawton Avenue, I tried to recall those times when the former President Cory Aquino was still a housewife when she arrived from the United States after former Senator Ninoy Aquino was assassinated in August 21, 1983. One thing led to another— Agrava Commission was created to investigate the killing; RAM-AFP was silently organized within the military & constabulary; former President Marcos was secretly treated for a kidney illness that he needed to have his regular dialysis treatments; former First Lady Imelda Marcos & AFP Chief of Staff Fabian Ver were suspected to be the ones holding the power of the government; former Pres Marcos was being suspected as the “mastermind” in the killing of Sen Ninoy; a campaign period for a “snap election” for the Presidency was declared; Cory Aquino was pushed by the people & opposition and challenged Ferdie Marcos; Scandal in the NAMFREL canvassing of votes; Marcos was declared the Winner but Public Protests & Rallies started to grow; Cory visited Cebu & Mindanao while an attempted Coup D’ Etat was discovered by the Palace; Senior Officers of the AFP were presented to the Media as Coup Plotters; Defense Secretary Enrile, as the Suspected Mastermind of the Coup, asked the Public and the Church to protect him and the “coup plotters” from being arrested; PC Commanding General Fidel Ramos joined Secretary Enrile; sea of people occupied EDSA and finally, it culminated to the very famous “People’s Power Revolt of 1986”. Former Pres Marcos, Family & entourage left the country for Hawaii and Pres Cory Aquino took her oath as the new President and later declared a “revolutionary” government. And the rest was history.
Running Under The Rain
I am proud to recall that I was then an intelligence officer assigned with the National Intelligence & Security Authority (NISA) in Region 1 covering the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, and Mountain Province. After Ninoy’s assassination, I was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia for my “foreign schooling” and I was promoted to the rank of Major before leaving the country. When I arrived back to the country, the RAM-AFP was already active in its recruitment but I stayed to my duties in Region 1.
After the People’s Power Revolt of 1986, I opted to be assigned to the Philippine Military Academy as Tactical Officer & Instructor together with almost 40 officers formerly assigned with units/offices identified with the former President Marcos. My assignment at the Academy brought back my passion in running after a year of complete rest. It was here where I introduced the “1,000-Km Club” to my officers and men and I can still recall those weekend runs we did from PMA to San Fabian Beach in Pangasinan via Kennon Road or to Bauang Beach via Naguilian Road. Those were good 35-50+Km runs with limited water and food supply along the way! But lots of food and beer at the finish line!
Slow Distance Run For Tita CoryAnother View of the Picture Above
The following were the things that kept coming back to my memory while I was running last Wednesday and the things I could remember during the administration of President Cory:
1) I’ve never been assigned to a unit in the AFP to personally meet or shake her hand up to the point that I’ve never seen her in person! I guess, she limited her exposure to the military due to the coup d’etat attempts to her administration.
2) I was then the Chief Intelligence Officer of PMA when the PMA Bombing Incident happened, six days before Pres Cory’s visit to PMA for the Graduation Ceremony of PMA Class 1987. It resulted to the death of one Senior Officer ( a Colonel & a graduate of the US Air Force Academy) and the injury of other officers and civilian employees. It is still unsolved. If not for my love in running, I should had been in the place where the bombing incident happened. I was then the Officer-In-Charge of the PMA Running Team that participated in one of the weekend runs in Manila and my team arrived at the camp in the morning of the day of the incident. Instead of going directly to the Grandstand for a Graduation ceremony rehearsal, I dropped by my office to sign or act on documents and clearances. I was in my office when the bombing incident happened. Since the security of all the places/venues where the President would be going as scheduled were turned-over to the Presidential Security and security people from Camp Aguinaldo, the responsibility of providing security on said places were not given to the authorities of the Academy!
Still Raining Infront of NAIA 3
3) Seven (7) Coup D’ Etat attempts of the military tried to unseat Pres Cory during her administration but I’ve never been a part of any of these destabilization moves. While I was assigned in PMA, one of the “RAM leaders” who was then assigned also in PMA, tried to recruit me as part of his team from Baguio City. I refused to join his group. The said officer led a group of officers and PMA cadets in an attempt to provide support to the “raiders” of Camp Aguinaldo in 1987 while I remained at Fort Del Pilar with the Commandant of Cadets and the Superintendent. Since then, I got the trust and confidence of the PMA’s leadership.
4) I was re-assigned in Mindanao in the middle part of 1989 and I thought it was the end of my running. I was fortunate to be assigned to a senior officer who goes out every night to “eat & drink”; sleep at midnight or 1:00 AM; and wake up at 4:30 AM to run the mountain trails of Pulacan, Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. This was my daily ritual until the December 1989 Bloodiest Coup Attempt against Pres Cory.
Brief Stops For Photo-Ops
5) The Area Commander in Mindanao was designated as the Commanding General of the Philippine Army as a result of a massive relief of Commanders involved in the December 1989 Coup attempt. As most of the key leaders of the coup attempt went “underground” and due to the need to counter the efforts of the military destabilizers, a “special unit” was organized to locate and arrest these suspected destabilizers within the military. I was made to report to Manila by the newly-designated Commanding General and he designated me as the deputy commander of such unit and later became as its Commander until such time that Pres Cory turned over her administration to the winner of the Presidential Elections in 1992. Since the creation of this “special unit”, there were no longer destabilization plots within the military against Pres Cory’s administration up to the time she ended her term.
Waiting For The Other Runners @ Bayani Road
On hindsight, we, the Filipino people gained so much freedom and democracy after the people deposed the dictatorship and “iron-fist” administration of former President Marcos and we accepted the leadership of former Pres Cory which is the embodiment of transparency, honesty, understanding, humility, and efforts to look for the welfare of the greater Filipinos. The freedom we gained resulted to the following personal opinion and observations that happened during President Cory’s administration:
1) The resurgence of the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army was attributed during the administration of Pres Cory when he brought back Jose Ma. Sison to the country from exile.
2) The MNLF Faction of Nur Misuari was revived and he was made to return to the Philippines after a self-imposed exile in the Middle East.
3) Her administration never attempted to use the Bataan Nuclear Plant despite its approval to use it by experts (according to the book of the late former Secretary of Energy Velasco)
4) Do you still remember those months of daily “brownouts” and “blackouts” where almost all the establishments were forced to buy their own generators?
5) Have you observed that The Urban Poor and “professional” squatters in Metro Manila grew exponentially because of the Lina Law enacted and passed during the term of Pres Cory?
6) It resulted to the death of those efficient “Love Bus” plying in almost all parts of Metro Manila & Suburbs. The demise of the PNR System also followed. If we could have prevented those bus transportation franchises with second-hand buses from China plying on our main streets in Manila, we could have a better traffic flow of vehicles.
7) Of course, it was the end of the very successful Project Gintong Alay in Sports. Winning as Overall 1st Runner-Up in the 1986 ASEAN Games was a result of athletes produced by Project Gintong Alay of the former administration.
8) We fought against nepotism during the dictatorship of Pres Marcos, but look what is happening around us with the members of the family of political clans being elected and/or designated to government positions. When will we stop those “Kamag-anak Inc.”?
9) Too much freedom of speech and freedom of expression to the point of accusing somebody through the media. There are times when news are just plain “gossips” where we “judge” the accused through public opinion.
10) Too much laws, ordinances, rules & regulations enacted but weak in their implimentation.
11) We had a new Constitution in 1987 which up to this time we are trying to change. The Constitution gave us more freedom and it gave us also more Congressmen!
12) Have you observed that those “big shopping malls” started to grow like mushrooms during the administration of Pres Cory? I am not insinuating that Pres Cory was connected with these Malls but I have a strong suspicion that the money used were money left behind by the Marcoses with their “dummies”. Since I am from the North, I always think that the only road/infrastructure she made during her administration was the Dau-Sta. Rita Extension of the NLEX.
13) There was no MILO Marathon for four (4) years during the administration of Pres Cory.
14) Lastly, it was Pres Cory Aquino who signed the law on the Bases Conversion Act which created the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) whose primary mission was to sell all the military camps within Metro Manila with the end-view of relocating the Headquarters of the different Major Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines outside Metro Manila for the simple reason that the AFP was suspected to be a “threat” to her administration due to the numerous coup attempts. The proceeds of these sales were supposed to go to the “modernization” of the AFP. That’s the reason why we have “The Fort”/Market! Market!/new St Luke’s Hospital/International Schools/Heritage Park/McKinley Hill at the former Fort Bonifacio AREA and Marriott Hotel & NAIA 3 at the Camp Villamor AREA. As to where those proceeds of the sale went, I really do not know where did they go! In fairness to Pres Cory, such sale transactions were made after her administration.
Pit Stop @ Phil Army Golf Course
In the end, despite those imperfections and observations, the administration of Pres Cory gave birth to the “professionalism” in the military and police. Our present AFP/PNP Retirement Law enacted during her time, limited the age of every men in uniform up to the age of 56 years old as the retirement age. If not for this law, I could not have made it to the rank of Major General (Two-Star) rank when I retired from the Armed Forces of the Philippines. There was no way where retirable Generals were extended in their military active service.
We gained so much freedom and democracy since the time of Pres Cory but it is up to us to contribute in our own way so that freedom will live on forever. Freedom does not mean cheating in road races; not being responsive to some “lapses” during road races as observed by runners; taking advantage of others; or being divisive with one another. Freedom to me simply means doing what is right; being fair to everybody; being honest/transparent; and sharing one’s blessings to those who are in need and less-fortunate.
Goodbye, President Cory! (Photo From Inquirer.net)
Thank you very much, President Cory for giving me a chance to have served you as my President & Commander-In-Chief!!! The 20.5 Kilometers that I and my friends had offered to you may not be enough to equal the pain you have gone through on those last few days and for those years you served the country but I know that such distance and effort for the said run is enough to pay tribute to what you have contributed to the country as well as for the whole world and humanity.
My snappy salute!
(Note: Photos During the “Runabout” Courtesy of Bugobugo85 & High Altitude)
Bald Runner 
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