Hallasgo wins gold dedicated to daughter

MANILA, Philippines — Former Southeast Asian Games marathon queen Christine Hallasgo wanted her women’s 10,000-meter victory in the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships yesterday to resonate as far as her hometown in Bukidnon where her seven-year-daughter Chrisxiah Mae is.

After all, she was Hallasgo’s biggest inspiration all throughout her national team tour of duty.

“Para po sa kanya ito,” said the 31-year-old Hallasgo moments after winning the gold in 37:00.05, a fitting gift on Mother’s Day.

Edna Magtubo of Spectrum Runners Team A took the silver in 39:46.72 while April Joy Alampayan of Bohol the silver in 39:46.81 in this meet organized by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association and backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, ICTSI, Milo, CEL Logistics, Inc., Pocari Sweat, SIP, Wireless Link Technologies, Inc., UAI, Masiv Sports, Victory Liner, AAI Worldwide and Filam Sports.

Army’s Richard Salaño, for his part, took the men’s 10,000m mint in 31:26.82 ahead of University of the East’s James Darrel Orduna (31:38.21) and Spectrum’s Ricky Organiza (31:42.21), who settled for the silver and bronze, respectively.

SEA Games silver medalist Mark Harry Diones did enough to rule the men’s triple jump following a 15.60m. It was, however, a far cry from the national record of 16.7m he set seven years ago in the National Open in Ilagan, Isabela.

Also emerging victorious were Masbate’s Prince Charles Branzuela (boys’ U18 discus throw) and Thailand’s Kochchakron Hamachan (girls’ U20 hammer throw).