A `great blessings' to PWDs

Saturday, December 17, 2011

AN OVERWHELMING success spelled the 11th Metrobank Fun Run in Cagayan de Oro that drew the biggest number of entries -- 1,186 all -- since 2000.

Concluded last Sunday, the city's long-surviving fun run event -- which had the newly-built flyover at CM Recto Avenue taking a baptism of fire -- was able to raise P200,000 from its loyal supporters that included Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar S. Moreno who ran for the third-straight year.

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"Nagpaluyo lang `ming guv og kalooy sa Diyos naka-abot gihapon sa finish line," said the ageless local cage icon Hermogenes "Menes" Anciado.

Race organizers, headed by branch managers Nick Beja and Rolando Bacarro and "iron man" Richel Banaag, said at least P100,000 of the proceeds will be donated to the Phil. Service of Mercy Foundation, Inc. (PSMFI). While the remaining half of it will go to the Differently-Abled Women Network (Dawn).

"The success of the activity has concrete basis and, I guess, it will last for a long time because it is a cause-oriented sports program," said Emmanuel C. Barrera, Metrobank's Mindanao Regional (Miro-2) area head, who is a triathlon athlete himself.

Barrera's predecessor Roger Uy, who initiated the project a decade ago, earlier told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro that purchasing synthetic legs for the benefits of disabled individuals is such a noble objective that encouraged Governor Moreno and some corporate executives, such as Ethel Mae U. Gabutina, regional manager of Consumer Lending Group and executive secretary Rosalyn U. Uy to rally behind it.

The premier 10K run's top-10 male winners were Ryan Antero, Banjo Norte, Rongieben Bolingot, Armand Lofranco, Sherwin Wayan, Zizi Bolingot, Ronald Parantar, Aldrin Bagonoc, Arvin Nayre and Rosalio Bustalinio.

Top-10 female finishers were Julie Aylo, Kenty Francisco, Dra. Gina Factura, Rosalie Moncawan, Ann Ang, Yvette Yu, May Masaet, Claire Paner, Karen Rolida and Elyn Paduganan.

Sharing the spotlight with them in 5K race category were Ken Marcon Catot, Joseph Sabud, Algregory Yasay, Rolan Abella, Yuhei Go, John Thomas Pupos, Ricarte Meliton III, Robert Basa, Henrito Andales Jr. and Antonio Jordan.

The distaff side's best runners were Mae Ann Gongob, Bethel Cueva, Angelita Falle, Jennifer Red Sabela, Lesette Palasan, Bein Lui, Jonelle Llavore, Marionne Patricia Oraiz, Eliza Tiu and Jackielyn Alauro.

Meanwhile, Serafin Canga and Cesar Bucona topped the men's side in wheelchair race level with Ruth Miral, Glorina Bacud and Alice Baltazar emerging as the women's best.