RUN FOR CHANGE is an advocacy. It is about inspiring and motivating oneself and others through running. It is about achieving one\'s goals and seeing the finish line.
Archive for June, 2009
BOTAK Paa-tibayan Takbo 100KM Race Report
It all started at 1am on the crisp morning of June 28, 2009 when 81 brave souls assembled to the starting line at Yllanan road in UP Diliman for the first 100 kilometer race in Metro Manila.
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Everybody was so eager especially the support officials coming from the City Governments of Quezon City and Marikina. There was a ratio of three marshals to every participant. One motorbike, one scooter marshal and one ground marshal. There were also seventeen mobile patrol cars with blinkers-on, that safe-guarded all the participants. As I quote one participant “It was iron clad from start to finish”.
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The race had turned out as a day for Jessie Ano whose performance was worthy of breaking the 26 year old national record of Mr. Felix Baredo with a time of 8:27.10. Jessie Ano clocked in at an amazing 8:06.56 to win by 59 mins ahead of 2008 Koko Marathon Champion Pepito Deapera clocking in at 9:01:04 and to complete the men’s circle, crowd favorite -Bataan Death March and The North Face champion Mr. Eduardo Villanueva came in at third place with a time of 9:58.56.
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On the other hand our female circle was topped by Ms. Maria Estella Diaz of Davao who came in at 9:54.19, second place is Ms. Mila Paje-Robiso with a time of 10:32.13 and coming in third is Ms. Ellen Toletino with a time of 10:43.54.
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Our 50KM however was won by Mr. Benardo Desamito with a time clocking of 3:44.48, second place is Mr. Modesto Madalang Jr. with a time of 3:53.32 and coming in at third is Roel Ano with a time of 4:40.54.
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The day was also highlighted with the QC Symphonic Band which played whenever a participant came crossing the finish line. Each one was called to the stage to receive their finisher medals and certificates. To the delight of the runners there was also the Aid Station of Takbo.ph and Reinier Pacific at KM 80 which became a real hit to all the participants and received a unanimous vote against the other stations.
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We would also like to mention the bravery and self sacrifice of Traffic Ranger Bartolome Diaz who had an accident by protecting our participants along the commonwealth highway. He had received some minor injuries and at the moment is healing already at his home.
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The day finished at 7:21 pm when the last finisher had crossed the line.
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To all the finishers, we are so proud of you!
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[DOWNLOAD 100KM REACE RESULTS]
Team Mila to Run at M.O.V.E. Manila
Therese was born 12 years ago, to a couple full of hope and dreams to raise a “family that would be like a small church, a community of love where, by loving our children, we can teach our children the love of God and bring them closer to the Father”. Wawel and Mila Mercado were 10 months into their blissful marriage when Therese came into their world. “Ang sarap ng may baby” (It feels good to have a baby), Mila said, clutching their precious daughter for the first time. Little did they know that those were going to be her last words and the last time she was going to be able to embrace Therese… for after a few minutes, Mila slipped into coma.
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Wawel was in a daze, witnessing his beautiful and affectionate wife reduced to someone helpless and unresponsive. Mila suffered a brain injury after childbirth due to amniotic fluid embolism. After 44 grueling days in the hospital, he was able to take home Mila. Although by some miracle, Mila was able to wake up from her comatose state, the brain damage caused her to lose motor control and consequently made her unable to speak, eat, move and care for herself. It was very painful for Wawel to see her in this state. No one deserves to go through such sorrow. Expectedly, he grieved for the loss of the Mila he knew. He felt angry, disillusioned and desperate.
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His whole life transformed as he immersed himself in taking care of Mila. He became her main and ultimate care-giver, knowing just about everything there is to know regarding the medical and rehabilitation aspects of caring for her. He struggled with feelings of humiliation and rejection as people viewed them as “being not normal”. It was very difficult and he continuously begged God to grant him the miracle of Mila’s physical healing. Although it was not in God’s master plan to grant him this, God’s blessing came in another form. God gave Wawel the grace of acceptance, and the grace to love Mila as a father would love a child, unconditionally, without expecting anything in return. God gave him the gift of appreciating the simple joys in life – seeing Mila laugh or smile, reading inspirational books to her, and being comforted by praying the holy rosary together. God led them to a community where they felt they belonged, where “God used their presence to touch people, that despite the absence of physical healing, their love allowed others to experience the healing love of marriage.”
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When it rains, it pours. God continuously showered them with blessing upon blessing. Therese, who is now 12 years old, has grown to be a very loving and caring child. Even at a young age, she has been Wawel’s partner in helping care for Mila. In more ways than one, Therese is blessed just witnessing Wawel’s unwavering faith and love for Mila.
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It was about 6 years ago when Team Mila was formed. Wawel was inspired to join fun races with Mila on a stroller when he learned of a 60 year old man who joins regular races pushing his wheelchair-bound son with cerebral palsy. He ran races with Mila to be able to raise community awareness regarding disability and acceptance for persons with disabilities. They have joined several fun runs as a couple, including the Milo Marathon and Pinay in Action event. He organized a unique race where able-bodied runners paced with wheelchair-bound participants. His special advocacy inspired him to build ramps in churches to make them accessible to persons with disabilities.
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Unfortunately, because of Wawel’s foot injury, he stopped running for a while. This summer, upon the prodding of Therese, he started to train again. The invitation to run in the “M.O.V.E Manila Run 09” this July 19, 2009, 5am, at UP Diliman feels like “an answered prayer” for Wawel. He has started running again this summer with an end goal to join a race soon. He believes that “this is a tailor-made event for us. It may be God’s way of telling us to run again.” At the “M.O.V.E Manila Run 09”, Team Mila will be composed of three members – Wawel, Mila and Therese. They will run with wheelchair athletes, persons with various disabilities as well as with able-bodied runners. The benefit run caps the celebration of the 31st National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week. It supports the Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine (PARM) Fund for the Needy Disabled.
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Team Mila continues to dream and hope… to live and believe… that God runs the race with them.
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Story contributed by Freckleface through Dr. Melissa Zamuco-Mercado.
Without Limits (1997)
The film follows the life of famous 1970s runner Steve Prefontaine from his youth days in Oregon to the University of Oregon where he worked with the legendary coach Bill Bowerman, later to Olympics in Munich and his early death at 24 in a car crash. Internet Movie Database
M.O.V.E. Manila – July 19
PHILIPPINE ACADEMY OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE
“M.O.V.E. Manila Run”
19 July 2009 Sunday 5:00am UP Diliman Campus
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Supporting the PARM Fund for the Upliftment of the Needy Disabled,
The PARM-PMA Charity Clinic & various PARM Advocacies
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DISTANCE AND CATEGORIES
• 10K MEN, WOMEN, WHEELCHAIR
• 5K MEN, WOMEN, WHEELCHAIR
• 2.2K FUN RUN-WALK, WHEELCHAIR
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MEDALS and Gift Prizes will be awarded to Top 3 Finishers for all categories. Cash for 10K distance.
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REGISTRATION FEES (inclusive of a race singlet and number)
• P250.00 for 2.2K
• P300.00 for 5K
• P350.00 for 10K
FOR REGISTRATION AND RACE INQUIRIES
Please contact:
• Thumbie O. Remigio: 09156872380/ thumbieremigio@yahoo.com
• Dr. Renald T. Ramiro: 09173209198 / rptrmd@yahoo.com
• Dr. Melissa Z. Mercado: 09194138852 / mzmercado@hotmail.com
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REGISTRATION SITES
• The UP Bikers Tambayan.
Beside the kiosk near the UP Diliman AS parking lot and in front of the Faculty Center. Look for Christian: Mobile # 09195116929
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• Club 650 Sports Center.
150 E. Rodriguez Jr Ave (Libis), Quezon City. Tel # 6370650, Fax # 6311356
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• The PARM Office.
Room 808-810 Future Point Plaza 1, 112 Panay Ave, Quezon City. Look for Lei or Jane: Tel # 4159048 or 4101597
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• UP-PGH Dept of Rehabilitation Medicine.
Taft Ave, Manila. Look for Dr. Jec dela Cruz: Mobile # 09178355532 or Dr. Mayla Tee: Mobile # 09178440380; Tel # 5218450 loc 2411 / 2403
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• Makati Medical Center Dept of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.
Amorsolo St, Makati City. Look for Apol or Ruel: Tel # 8888951
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• Or deposit your registration fee at BDO Anonas-Kamias Branch Acct # 3988006417 with Account name “PARM MOVE” then fax your Deposit Slip and Registration Form to Fax # 4159048 or 4101597
[registration forms are available at TAKBO.PH]
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PTAA Raffle Winners
As I mentioned in previous posts, the 1st PTAA Charity Race Event is by far the most “rewarding” racing event for the year with over 50 raffle prizes that were up for grabs. And to make things even better, the winners need not be present at the race or draw to be eligible to win. What is important is that they registered and that their names were called.
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The 3rd ATKOM Results are out!
The results of the 3rd All Terra King of the Mountain are out. See how you fared against other runners and who emerged as the King and Queen of the Mountain.
