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The one next to me is supposedly the founder of the Running Freaks Club--Amerigo 'Paul' Pajo.
WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, I never found a single athletic sport that I was motivated to pursue. Nada. Bad experiences were all there was to it.
When I was a kid I almost drowned... twice. During one of those occasions I made so much noise that I was noticed and saved. That made me realize that SWIMMING was not my thing.
One time, my aunt gave me a gift for my birthday. It was a brand new basketball. I went to the basketball court to play with my friends and it was great, until one of my friends came late. While he was outside the fence, he asked me to pass the ball to him. I did. The ball landed on top of one of the series of pointed sharp irons. That was the end of my budding BASKETBALL career. My aunt, bless her heart, scolded me and that was it.
I tried playing GOLF with Atty Banjo Navarro and Mayor Alfred Romualdez four years ago. It was exciting… so I thought. It wasn’t until we had a real game at a golf course in Intramuros, Manila that I realized I was wrong. They seemed to have a grip of the golf ball. It would go where they wanted it to go. But the golf ball assigned to me was, I think, a cursed one. It had a life of its own. It always went left when I wanted it to go straight. So that was my first and…last golf game.
But in the midst of all these, there was just one exercise sport that I could do effortlessly. I could pick it up anytime and anywhere. It was not much of a hassle. I could do it when I am in town, on a vacation, in a retreat, or even when I go abroad—RUNNING.
Doing my best to hone this sport. I joined different races. 10k (Men’s Health Miracle Run), 10k Nike Run, 15k Kenny Rogers' Urbanite Run, Real LIFE races, Sprint triathlon (900m swim, 30k bike, 7.5k run. I was the last one, but finished it. Position 79), 42k (Pasig River Marathon Run)
Pic: Sprinting towards the finish line. My first marathon. "Ouch!"
and 50k (Tagaytay to Nasugbu Ultramarathon Run. Position 83).
Pic: W/ Retired General Jovie Narcise, Ultra-marathon organizer.
This time I am bringing it further. This March 5-6, 2011, I will be running the longest run in my entire running ‘career': the Bataan Death March (BDM) 102k ultramarathon.
There are many reasons people join the BDM. The first, which is the intended overarching purpose of the BDM, is to remember the Filipino and American soldiers who perished in the Bataan Death March during WWII (thanks to former General Jovie Narcise). The second would be for personal health benefits. And the third is just for the sheer adventure of doing it.
Here are my top three personal reasons for doing the BDM 102k for 2011. (I am listing them down in hope that these will help inspire me to spur on especially during crunch time of the run.)
REASON #1: For our 140+ Real LIFE foundation SCHOLARS. Real LIFE is the outreach arm of Victory Philippines. With, at least, the five of us - Joshua Suarez, Junn Besana, Paul Pajo, Alden Meneses, and myself - running the 102 kilometers, we will be able to garner around half a million pesos. Not bad for a donation of one thousand pesos per kilometer, and ten thousand pesos for each of the last two kilometers. One hundred percent of the donations will all go to the education of the Real LIFE scholars just in time for the start of classes this June.
REASON #2: For one of the Victory-OrtigasYouth's law students who is a dedicated follower of Christ, RAISSA LAUREL. Despite losing her legs due to the DLSU Bar blast last year, she has exemplified how it is to respond in a way that would honor her Lord.
Pic: Raissa Laurel w/ Elizabeth Cabiling
Here’s what President Noynoy Aquino said in his speech during the awarding for the 2011 People of the Year.
"The blast that robbed you of your legs could have defeated a normal person. But instead of giving up, it brought out the best in you. Never did you show the public any hatred or self-pity. You were always determined to overcome the challenge presented to you—with optimism and confidence. The strength you displayed has inspired the entire country. We eagerly await the day you take your oath as a lawyer. We look forward to your continued positive contributions to the country…”
REASON #3: For JOHN PHILIP CABILING, my six-year–old son. He was diagnosed, after an episode of seizure four months after his birth, with Sturge-Weber Syndrome. What a year that was for me and my family.
John Philip trying to carry a camera bag. Trying his best to show off to Daddy.
So as far as the MOVEMENT I am part of, Victory Philippines, this run is for the Real LIFE scholars. As far as the CONGREGATION I am assigned to pastor, Victory Ortigas, this is dedicated to one of faithful worship team youth volunteers and a disciple, Raissa Laurel. The last but not the least, as far as my FAMILY is concern, this run’s for you, my dear son, John Philip.
Every time I run, I always thank God for giving me two fully functioning legs. I shed some sweat in my eyes at times when I take a look at them.
PS: The rest of the Bataan Life March (BLM) 102k team (Pic: Joshua Suarez, Junn Besana, Paul Pajo, me, Alden Meneses) decided to adopt the same reasons. Thanks, teammates.
NOTE: To those of who are wondering, "How can I be of help?" Well, CHECK this out.
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