By Ramon Dacawi
BAGUIO CITY -- They
were 250 strong, coming from all walks and ages and barangays of the city. They
assembled at dawn break last Sunday as if they belonged just to one
neighborhood- as Baguio used to be during its formative years.
Most opted to run and
jog seven or four kilometers in “Run for Life II”, a fun-run for-a-cause that
started and ended infront of the Rizal Elementary School. A few others took the
third option – a two-kilometer leisurely walk.
The promised
cups of steaming brewed coffee at the finish line weren’t there. It was a sure
sign of preparatory glitch by a group unfamiliar with running such event, yet inspired
enough to reach out to six people in their grim struggle for the chance to grow
old like normal people.
The
participants, however, understood the sense of common behind the collective
effort. They were just glad to make do with cold water and, for the early
finishers, a munch of pandesal that was not enough to be passed around.
Even the top
finishers hardly minded the delay of the arrival of their medals
which would still be given this week.
What was of
import was “Run for Life II” grossed P72,930, of which P8,300 was used for the
participants’ numbers, certificates, tarpaulin announcements and other
expenses. That means a net of P64,630 to prop up six seriously ill patients in
six barangays.
In their
assessment last Thursday, members of the Samahang Barangay Pangkalikasan (SBP),
an aggrupation of barangay chiefs in the city that sponsored the
run-for-a-cause, agreed to deliver P10,000 each to five of the patients.
The
beneficiaries are burn victim Geoffrey AlipioMalag of Upper Dagsian, cancer
patient Ma. Elena Rimando of T. Alonzo St., car accident victim Tommy Fabrofo
Engineer’s Hill, cancer patient JacklynOnal of Outlook Drive, and Rodrigo
Santiago of South Sanitary Camp who is suffering from a complicated medical
condition.
The remaining
P14,630, will be given to cancer victim Elenita Soriano, a grade IV teacher at
the Rizal Elementary School who has been bed-ridden for months now.
“This is
in recognition, too, of the efforts of the parents, teachers and pupils of the
Rizal Elementary School led by principal (Brendalee) Celino who hosted the
run,” said Mike Arnaiz, acting SBP chair and village chief of Outlook Drive
Barangay.
Run coordinator
Michael Lawana, also a director of the Benguet Electric Cooperative and punong
barangay of Lower Dagsian, offered to round up Soriano’s fund to P15,000.
Soriano was
recently fetched home from her radiation therapy in Dagupan City by operatives
of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. The operatives, together with volunteers of
the city’s Emergency Medical Service led by Dr. John Tinoyan, served as medical
team of the run.
Shoshin, a
foundation led by former world shotokan karate champion Julian Chees, earlier
contributed P10,000 to teacher Soriano’s fight while former movie star Connie
Angeles, now chair SM Foundation provided her with a wheelchair.
In the race for
medals, Albert Seno topped the 7-kilometer men’s Open while Sandy Abahan, led
the women’s side. Sixty two-year old Perfecto Fiaching bested the field in the
senior’s class in the 4-K, with Jason Seno and Grace Mayos, kagawad of
Gibraltar, took the male and female titles.
In a repeat of
their performance in the first Run for Life earlier this year, brothers and
cousins Yussep,11, McReyvenz, 12, Hussein, 9, and Hassan, 9, all surnamed
Lorana, finished first, second, third and fourth in that order in the 4-K for
children.
”I’m sure the
Lorana brothers were the first to finish,” texted veteran runner and race
organizer who urged competitive participants to support the fun-run and paid
her registration fee even if she was unable to participate
Aice Trisha
Parrocha towed the field in the 4-K for girls, followed by HannahlynGundran,
Colleen Sagalen and
Jessa Tabareng.
Among the
participants were police officers, city councilor Nick Aliping and his brother,
Engr. Lao, barangay officials and tanods.
The Baguio
Conractors Association (formerly United Baguio-Benguet Contractors Association)
headed by Brent Quanggey sponsored tickets worth P4,000. Former city councilor
Leandro Yangot Jr. and Noants travel agency contributed P2,000 each while an
anonymous Samaritan handed over P1,200.
Gallons of drinking
water came from Zacky’s Water Delivery, kagawadRodonesCayat of Mines View and
Mr.Dagdagan while Dane’s Bakeshop delivered bread.
“Those we missed
to acknowledge will understand that we are also very grateful to them,” Arnaiz
said. “We apologize for a lot of lapses and will make up when SBP launches Run
for Life III for those in need.”
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