Castaneto, Taypoc share top honors in run

A MIX of veterans and newbies answered the starting gun Sunday morning that saw more than a thousand runners from all walks of life all over Luzon racing to support Mandarangan fun run, “Takbo Sagipin ang Kalikasan.”

Cesar Castaneto topped the male division 21k race with a time of 1:16'13 as Julius Bay-an (1:20'40) and Isagani Tucataco (1:22'48) settled for second and third, while Mercy Taypoc finished the course with a time of 1:37'52 to top the ladies side with Gretchen Felipe and Maria Indira Dalisay salvaging second and third, respectively.

Marson Tarcelo topped the 10k division as Raymond Torio and Jay Lomyog finished second and third, while the distaff side saw Jessa Mangsat winning as Yvonne Balag-ey and Celia Yong settled for second and third, respectively.

The five-kilometer division saw Johan Caido winning, while Erwin Generalao and Eugene Seno checked in second and third, while the ladies division was topped by Cherry Doronilla as Jolina Jose and Charlyn Lampria finished second and third.

Reymark Quezada was the fastest in the 3k division besting Yussef Lorana and Clarkson Gonzales with Kaizelle Vergara topping the female side with Lilia Yatar and Yanci Torres settling for second and third, respectively.

The PMA class 2003 run, which was initially conceptualized to introduce coffee trees in the Philippine Military Academy, instead raised the morale of one of its beneficiaries -- Lt. Frederick Tapawan, who continues to conquer the odds against tonsillar cancer.

Tapawan in a text message relayed, “Sa lahat ng mga tumulong naappreciate ko talaga. Nakakahighmorale talaga.”

A member of the Naval Air Group, “Tappy” still awaits his next medical procedure.

“Maraming salamat sa tulong at suporta. Napasaya nyo ako at nadagdagan ako ng dahilan para lumaban sa sakit at gumaling. I hope my next operation will be a success. At makakain ako ulit. Maraming salamat at God bless,” he added.

PMA Class 2003 extends their gratitude to the following: organizer Che Alberto, DENR, Ellen and Alfonso Lao of Tiongsan, Land Bank of the Philippines, Nestle, Labada Jo, Love Radio, Rodriguez Meat Store, SLU Green Corps and the Social Security System. (Roderick Osis)