In 1972, my father-in-law retired US Navy Felix Leyson was hit by a vehicle as he crossed a street in Maasin City, Southern Leyte. He did not reach the hospital alive. My kumpare, the late Ben Borromeo, volunteered to look for a lawyer and recommended Atty. Pablo Garcia who would later become a three-term Cebu Province governor and congressman. I don’t know how many times Gov. Pabling and I traveled to Maasin City to attend the hearings. I also accompanied him in the hotel where he stayed. The case was declared closed when the driver died in an accident a few months later. Justice was served. Our friendship didn’t stop there. When I was organizing running events, (more than 600 races to be exact), the Capitol Grounds was the most popular starting line. But Capitol admin stopped the practice when plants around the area were destroyed by people who participated in other events not related to sports. Some undisciplined people scattered trash like plastic bottles. They also stepped on the plants. On one occasion, I applied for a permit only to be questioned by security personnel. I went to Gov. Pabling and explained that runners are disciplined people and protectors of nature. The governor approved my request on the condition that no damage will be done to the plants. Reminds me when I was organizing runs in Davao City. I visited then mayor Digong Duterte to say hello. He looked for my permit of my running event scheduled during the “Kadayawan sa Dabaw”. I told him I will submit it to the Sports Council, but the mayor insisted that he sign it, little did I know that the Sports Council has also a cycling event on the the same day. But my permit was signed by the mayor. I have to say sorry to the Council. Gov. Pabling died Wednesday at age 95. My condolences to the Garcia family. Hasta La Vista Gov. Pabling, Rest in Peace. It seems the tears won’t stop falling. Barely had I wiped my tears for Gov. Pabling, another friend hit the finish line. Angel “Tito” De La Merced of IPI died on Friday, one day short of his birthday. Tito and I were involved in many sporting events through IPI for quite sometime. Hasta La Vista Tito, “Rest In Peace”.
Serantes, Onyok get support
I’m glad my “paisano” Leopoldo Serantes, 1988 Seoul Olympics boxing bronze medalist will finally got the support he needs. Serantes 59, is currently admitted at the Philippine Veterans Hospital, suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). He has been in the hospital for months, breathing on a ventilator. After Onyok Velasco told Chooks-to-Go president Ronald Mascarinas about Serantes condition, Mascarinas immediately announced that his company is giving Serantes a P100K lifetime allowance. Mascarinas also said It’s just fitting for a Filipino who gave the country its only medal after 24 years. Onyok, for his part, was given a Chooks-to-go outlet and a P100K bonus. To recall, Onyok has yet to receive the perks after winning a silver medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Well, all’s well that ends well. “Halong gid kamo ni Leo, Onyok”.
Did you know?
POLE VAULTING began as a way of crossing canals or marshy grounds in the Fens of Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hantingtonshire in the United Kingdom. Every household had a supply of jumping poles. Venetian gondoliers used to tie their gondolas up away from quayside, so they wouldn’t get stolen, then vault ashore with their punting poles.