On Media Launch, or Media Lunch?

On August 22, 2009August 22, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Marathon Race, Races, Running3 Comments

The first time that I attended a “media launching” of a running event was when I was personally invited by Jinoe of takbo.ph for the Kenny Roger’s Urbanite Run. I really enjoyed that scheduled meeting as it was done in the evening at the KR’s branch at SM Megamall and the fact that most of the invited guests were the “runner-bloggers” and not one from the media sports reporters in daily broadsheets and tabloids. Although I was not impressed with the punctuality of the presentation or briefing, I had a good time talking and exchanging ideas with the other “runner-bloggers”. It was in this event that I personally reminded the Race Organizers to “beef-up” the security services during the race as preventive measure for car thefts or “breaking-in” of parked cars of the runners. The reasoning that I presented was the fact that we had incidents of thefts during daytime races and there is a greater possibility of “bad things” to happen during nighttime. I am glad that the Race Organizers heeded to my “reminder” and so far, there were no reports of thefts or “break-ins” in parked cars during and after the race.

Two weeks ago, I received an e-mail inviting me to attend the media launching of the 1st Quezon City International Marathon. I fondly recalled that this was informally known by runners to be conducted on the first few months of this year. To be exact, it was supposed to be conducted for the month of February but for reasons I don’t know, it was rescheduled indefinitely. It was only when Rene Villarta aka JAZZRUNNER made a post in his blog that this race will push through in October of this year.

The media launching was scheduled at 8:00 AM of 18 August at Max’s Restaurant inside the Quezon City Circle Park and I was at the venue at 7:55 AM. I was the first registered “runner-blogger” and the first one to take a seat in a row of tables prepared for a lunch! Finally, the event started at 9:35 AM which was the time I was scheduled to meet another person within the vicinity of the venue. I was glad the person whom I was supposed to meet joined the event and was seated in my table. So, while I was listening to the speakers of the event, I was also talking to a writer and author of a book who wrote a history of the Bataan Death March. I guess, this is what they call “multi-tasking”.

So, what are the things that I have observed during the launching of the 1st QC International Marathon? To mention a few, the following were my observations:

1) Why do you have to set a “media launching” at 8:00 AM when most of the guests will arrive late and the food prepared was for a lunch? When will we ever learn to be punctual to a scheduled event?

2) This time, there were more media sports reporters than the “runner-bloggers” who attended the event. I can only count, at least, five (5) runner-bloggers as compared to almost 20 reporters & photographers. I think most of the “runner-bloggers” were in their offices or respective work.

3) It is my observation that these media sports reporters have “negative” impression on the capability of the Race Organizer to conduct a Marathon Event as big as this, based from the questions they presented during the Open Forum.

4) Most of the media sports reporters/photographers and other attendees were asking for “freebies” or pack of “freebies” to advertise the event from the Race Event Sponsors. It was nice to see those “personnel & staff” during the event who were wearing those “blue & yellow” 1st QC International Marathon T-shirts as they look to be the Route Marshals for the race. I did not intend to ask “freebies” for this event as I immediately left the place for another meeting after it was adjourned.

Media Launching of the 1st Quezon City International Marathon

In the afternoon of this day (Tuesday), I received a txt message and an e-mail from the people of SMART inviting me to attend the “media launching” of the 2nd SMART Subic International Marathon (SIM) on the following day at 10:30 AM at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City.

I brought the two (2) coaches of the Elite Team Bald Runner with me for the said “media launching”. I was impressed! Arriving at the venue at exactly 10:30 AM, the Boardroom was already filled with lots of media reporters & guests and it seemed I was the one already late for the said event. In a few seconds, the program started and presentations were made about the conduct of the SMART Subic International Marathon.

What were the salient points and my observations during the “media launching” of the SMART Subic International Marathon? Many! And they are the following:

1) Most important, it was my first time to meet Tanya Lara of Philippine Star in person as I was seated next to her!

2) I finally met Chuck Crisanto and his wife, Joyce of Joy Rojas’ Takbong Pangarap’s Run Across America. Although, Chuck Crisanto sent me a very long Comment on this blog about his answer on the allegations from Mat Macabe about his actuations during the early part of Joy’s run, we discussed more about the condition of Joy Rojas during the run. How I wish I could post the Comment of Mr Chuck Crisanto on this blog but I will let him settle everything in the presence of Joy Rojas & Mat Macabe about their respective allegations to one another. I was surprised to see him and his wife here in the country as I know Joy Rojas and Mat Macabe are still running towards New York City. In the end, I had a nice time talking to the couple during our lunch.

3) It was an “eye-opener” for me when Mr Patrick “Pato” Gregorio of SMART SPORTS delivered his message on their Corporate’s “vision & mission” to help in realizing our country’s “first Gold Olympic” Medal and it is through this Marathon Event and other running events that SMART could be a great “catalyzer” and supporter in our Sports Excellence Program. I did not leave the hall not until I was personally introduced to Mr “Pato”. I hope SMART would also involve themselves in a “mass-based” running events just like what MILO is presently doing in order to discover “new talents” in Athletics.

4) The conduct of the SMART SIM is a partnership with the Philippine National Police in their advocacy to reform the police “scalawags” through running. I really appreciate the contributions made by Chief Superintendent Samuel Tucay, who is also a passionate runner, and considered as the driving force in this worthy advocacy of the PNP while he was in the active service, specifically when he was the Chief of the PNP’s Training Command.

5) I was able to meet the people behind the E-ventologists, Inc which is the Race Event Manager/Director of the Marathon Race. I have yet to find out a significant road race event that these people had handled in the past. As I left the Boardroom, one of the personnel of the Race Manager gave me 2 pieces of hand towel as part of the “freebies”.

SMART Subic International Marathon Launching At Dusit Thani Hotel

Since I was not invited during the “media launching” of the Philippine International Marathon for Pasig River, I could not tell what really happened but based from posts I read among bloggers, I’ve gathered some negative feedbacks already like the route of the race (instead of a schematic drawing of the streets, the route was simply a list of streets where the runners will take) and others.

In these media launching or media lunch events as part in the marketing of Marathon or Road Races, the foods were great with lots of “freebies”. But sorry to say, I was not able to eat much and get as many “freebies” I would want. I just hope that such expenses or costs for these PR events will be charged to the different sponsors and not from the runners!

So, starting on the 11th of October up to 8th of November, a span of 4 weeks, our runners have a choice of four (4) Marathon Races, 3 Marathon Races in Metro Manila and 1 Marathon Race in Pampanga to Olongapo/Subic Freeport.

I will post a separate assessment and comparison of these Marathon Races in my future blog entry.

To all the runners, good luck and train well!

Update #1: 1st MASTERS 15K Run

On August 21, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Jogging, Races, Running6 Comments

I ran the whole race route this morning at exactly 6:10 AM and I observed that the sun was already above the horizon.

Although most parts of the route are shaded with trees, there are still parts of the route which are exposed to sunlight and it will add some heat to the runners. I could predict that the heat of the sun on exposed parts of the route will be become a problem for the runners.

Due to this observation, I am adjusting the start of the race earlier and the race will start at 5:30 AM, instead of 6:00 AM. We will adjust also the Assembly Time at 5:00 AM. An earlier start for the race will be more beneficial to all the runners.

An appropriate written notice about this adjustment is already in the Race Kits to be distributed.

Our registration booth will be available at the vicinity of the BOTAK Run’s Finish Line at the UP Diliman Campus. Race Kits will be available for distribution upon acceptance of registration form & fee.

We are encouraging participants to register early as we have prepared limited number of race kits.

1st Metro Manila International Marathon

On August 18, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Marathon Race, Marathon Race Results, Pictures, Running6 Comments

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)

BR’s Visit & Meeting @ NESTLE, Phils.

On August 17, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Pictures, Runners' Training, Running, Sports Program9 Comments

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 Salazar

Details of the Meeting Were Discussed With Mr Dennis Austriaco, Sr VP of NESTLE

Mr Pat Goc-Ong & Mr Lester Castillo of NESTLE Were Also Included In The Discussions

Team BR Performance (15-16 Aug 09)

On August 16, 2009August 16, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Race Results, Running, Sports ProgramLeave a comment

8:15 PM 15 August 2009/KR Urbanite 15K/10K/5K Run @ The Fort

Elmer Sabal—Champion in the Kenny Roger’s Urbanite 15K Run with a Finish Time of 51:00+ minutes (Unofficial Time)

Rene Desuyo–2nd Runner-Up in the KR Urbanite 15K Run with a Finish Time of 52:00+ minutes (Unofficial Time)

Marecil Maquilan—Champion in the KR Urbanite 10K Run with a Finish Time of 41:00+ minutes (Unofficial Time)

Frankreader Indapan—4th Place Overall in the 5K Run with a Finish Time of 16:00+ minutes (Unofficial Time)

6:00 AM 16 August 2009/1st AMEPA 6K/3K Run @ Mall of Asia

6K Run/Men’s:

Alquin Bolivar—6th Place Overall

Rene Desuyo—9th Place Overall

Frankreader Indapan—10th Place Overall

6K Run/Women’s:

Marecil Maquilan—2nd Place, Women’s Overall

Anna Valdez—7th Place, Women’s Overall

3K Run:

Jujet De Asis—Champion

Gerald Sabal—5th Overall

Raul Lamprea—10th Overall

Milbert Nabuab—12th Overall

Christian Dalida—20th Overall

6:00 AM 16 August 2009/Walk/Run For Moral Force 10K @ Quirino Grandstand, Luneta Park

Rey Antoque—5th Place Overall with a Finish Time of 38:00+ minutes (Unofficial Time)

An Invitation: 1st MASTERS 15K Run

On August 13, 2009August 18, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Jogging, Places to Run, Races, Running7 Comments

Last 16 November 2008, a group of MASTERS runners conducted the 1st 10K MASTERS Run at Fort Bonifacio. I was not able to participate in that race but I was informed that the race was a success.

For this year, the Bald Runner’s Events is coming up with a longer distance run for the MASTERS which will cover a challenging 15 kilometers of paved roads.

As a starter, MASTERS are those runners from the age of 40 and above for the Men’s Category and for those 35 years old and above for the Women’s Category. The age categories will be grouped every 5 years of age, both for the Men’s and Women’s.

The 1st MASTERS 15K Run will be held inside Camp Aguinaldo on September 6, 2009. The race will start at 6:00 AM infront of the GHQ Grandstand. The race will cover two (2) loops of 7.5-kilometer loop inside the camp.

The registration fee is P 100.00 per runner. Our staff will start accepting registration to this race during the KR Urbanite Run this Saturday evening. Just look for the Bald Runner/Project Donate A Shoe Banner/Tarpaulin in one of the designated Parking Areas. Each runner must be able to bring their ID for verification of their printed Birth Date on their Card.

Race packets (race bib, rules & regulations, and map of the route) will be available for distribution starting on August 23 in any of the racing venues in Metro Manila.

There will be no singlets or Finisher’s T-shirts as the registration fee will defray the cost of race packets, water/hydration needs, trophies & medals, and Finisher’s Certificate which will be mailed to the runner’s address.

Since we do not have any “marketing people” or PR means to ask for sponsors for this race, this race will be a “no-frills” race but each runner will be assured of a safe race route & parking areas, a challenging but fast course, accurate course distance, lots of water, a race timer (sponsored by reinier6666), and more fun & running experience.

If there are “Good Samaritans” out there to support or sponsor this race, we will be glad to accept whatever help you can give to make this race a memorable one. Please feel free to post a comment on this post. Our staff could also be contacted at this landline telephone number—497-6442 for more details of this event.

To make this race something unique and for us to bring back the “good old times” of running in the late 70s and the 80s, “friends” of BR will be donating lots of beer for all the runners!!! Beer will be served at the Finish Line (and in the Aid Stations)!

See you at the Starting Line!!!

“Runabout” For My Former C-I-C

On August 11, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Pictures, Running, Running For Cause7 Comments

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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)

Comment From Brian Stark

On August 10, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Running, Trail Running, Ultramarathon1 Comment

Hereunder is the comment from Brian Stark, the Ultra Trail Runner Across America, from my post about his book and experience in running along the trails across America:

Dear Jovie,

Thank you so much for your kind words and promotion of my story. Many times during that run and even still today, I feel that I was just a messenger for hundreds of strangers to connect and the message is still being delivered today, thanks to you.

Best Wishes and Many Happy Runs,

Brian Stark

The message of Brian Stark is very clear. If you want to endeavor yourself to an event which is worth being known by others and if it is an extraordinary feat for an ordinary individual, you have to document it so that others would be inspired to challenge themselves to do the same. If the reader has no intention of doing the same activity, at least, it would be known that the human body can have the capability to endure pain and fatigue and slowly can adapt to whatever stress being introduced to the body, thus, making one’s body stronger.

In this age of high-technology/Internet and in the advent of “real-time” webcasts & social networking platforms, one’s activity can be known anywhere in the world in a split of a second!

BDM102 Video By RonaldRei

On August 10, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Pictures, Running, UltramarathonLeave a comment

A video consisting of pictures taken during the 1st Bataan Death March 102K Ultramarathon Race (BDM102) is featured in the blogsite of RonaldRei who participated and finished the said race.

The video can be viewed at http://ronaldrei.multiply.com/video/item/13/BDM102.

Thanks, Ronald.

Lunch Hosted By Reinier6666

On August 9, 2009 By kingofpotsIn Insights, Pictures, RunningLeave a comment

I was taken by surprise when Mr Amado Castro, Jr, popularly known as Reinier6666 among the runner-bloggers, called me on the day after the Ateneo 5K Team Run and asked me if it is possible for him to invite the members of the Elite Team Bald Runner for a lunch at Jade Palace along Shaw Boulevard on Thursday. I immediately approved his request and we had the said lunch on the scheduled date.

Mr Castro had been very supportive to the Elite Team Bald Runner as he sponsored the registration fees of the elite athletes in his racewalking feats in most of the road racing events in Metro Manila and lately, even went to the extent of coming up with a running uniform for the 5K Team runners in the last Run For M.E. held at Ateneo De Manila University Campus.

In the said lunch, we discussed “ideas” and projects/programs that will continuously enhance and promote running and racewalking in the country. I believe these plans will be realized as we are both dedicated to the sports we love.