Show must go on

After my son Patrick was diagnosed with blocked arteries and needed an immediate bypass operation, I wanted to cancel all my running events. But as a professional, I have also some commitments to  honor therefore, the show must go on. First on the list is " the ELVIS and Company Serenades the Grandparents," a variety show which will be held on September 9 at the Event Center of SM City Consolacion to mark Grandparents Day. The show also include Sam Costanilla and Ate Ging Montesclaros , hosts of " Sam Enchanted Evening," stand- up comedian Max Andrino, magician and clown Chocolate and singer Boyet Lim. We are just hoping Dancesports' Ed Hayco sends his dancers to back up Elvis during the second half of the show. A day earlier, a Senior Citizens Walk will be staged around the mall's perimeter with the top three finishers in the male and female divisions receiving prizes.

Warrior 50

On September 29, the second edition of Warrior 50K fires off at BE Resort at 1:00 am the race will cover the Marcelo Fernan and Cansaga Bridges en route to Compostela (turning point) and back to BE Resorts via the same route. Finishers will receive a commemorative medal, shirt and post-race meal at the finish line. As of press time, there are 25 entries with registration ending on Sept 16 at RUNNR Ayala Cebu . Entry fee is Php 950.00. Runners have the option for crew support or carry their own provisions. Runners must have the mandatory night running gear such as headlamps, reflectorized vest etcetera. Once the official time reaches 9.00, all aid stations will pack up and the race will be officially declared closed.

Quits

After the nightmarish experience, it was time to pick up the pieces and go back to my lifestyle. Last Sunday I was at the Roxas Blvd. where I had been running for years. It seems I was in Cebu as I met old friends that I have known for some 20 years and who are still running to date. Returning to our place in Makati, I chanced on a crowd milling in a vacant lot. I stopped and saw an Indian national (Bombay) being carried to a police car, a victim of a hold-up or salvage. I also heard one bystander say "Paano na yan, "quits" na ang mga utang" probably referring to "five six".

NOTES:   To make sure that we will be in the hospital when Patrick goes under the knife, I decided to get another room. Another typhoon was brewing then. When the pretty lady in the admission section asked me what's my ailment is, I told her I'm checking in the hospital because of a toothache. One of Dr. Tim Dy's assistant surgeon was Dr. Jeremy Co. a former national bowling team member who competed in the Busan Games and the Brunei Sea Games. He was excited that I was likewise a national coach who went to several Sea Games in the past. After Patrick's bypass, where doctors repaired five arteries, It was time for him to do cardio rehabilitation. Actually Dr. Tim was amazed when he saw Patrick already sitting down only one day after surgery. Patrick will be reporting to the state of the art Cardiac Rehabilitation Section called CGH Cares which is headed by Dr. Helen Ong Garcia and assisted by Dr. Emily Viudez, Dr. Lennie Castillo and Dr. Allen Sy. The two personnel whipping Patrick back to form are Patrick Morales (PT) and cardiac nurse Jonathan Molina. While in the hospital I also bumped into former Milo Marathon race director Ron Delos Reyes who was also my co-organizer of the Run for Rudy, a fund raising 5km race for one-legged triathlete Rudy Fernandez of IloIlo City who was hit by a van while training for the 2000 Sydney Paralympics.