We may be living in a modern world but how modern is our way of life? Read about it from this post by Sameera of Sri Lanka. 

21st Century…

Our communication - Wireless

Our dress - Topless

Our telephone - Cordless

Our cooking - Fireless

Our youth - Jobless

Our food - Fatless

Our labour - Effortless

Our conduct - Worthless

Our relation - Loveless

Our attitude - Careless

Our feelings - Heartless

Our politics - Shameless

Our education - Valueless

Our follies - Countless

Our arguments - Baseless

Our boss - Brainless

Our Job - Thankless
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Our Salary - Very less

Jocie with former President Fidel Ramos

This is my account of my second time to participate in a fun run. The 2nd International Marathon for the Pasig River was held inside Fort Bonifacio last February 26 (Sunday). Like my previous fun run, I got to meet celebrities and this time, I had my pic taken with former President Fidel Ramos who made a 5-meter dash to the finish line in order to join the media frenzy created by the arrival of the 42-kilometer winner Cresenciano Sabal of the Philippine Army.

Here’s my feature article:

Racing to revive the Pasig River

http://news.inq7.net/metro/index.php?index=1&story_id=69203

By Jocelyn Dimaculangan

Hours before the marine standoff at Fort Bonifacio last Sunday (February 26) night, the Global City was host to a competitive long distance running event, environmental advocacy and heritage conservation campaign all rolled into one.

During the 2nd International Marathon for the Pasig River, around 7,000 runners from all over the Philippines converged in Fort Bonifacio Global City to pledge support for the rehabilitation of the Pasig River.

Running aficionados from the metro and from provinces such as Baguio, Bohol, Cebu, Iloilo and Davao participated in this environment-oriented event sponsored by the Clean and Green Foundation, Inc. (CGFI), the advocacy arm of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission. International runner Robert Njoroge Wambugu from Eldore, Kenya even competed in this year’s marathon, with hopes of bagging the P100,000 cash prize for the men’s division.

All-thumbs up for the Pasig River. Cresenciano Sabal of the Philippine Army poses for the camera after finishing first in the 42K marathon for the benefit of the Pasig River held last February 26.

However, for Cresenciano Sabal, neither the promise of a cash prize or the lure of glory was his motivation for running a 42.195-kilometer race course that spanned five cities. He was inspired to train rigorously for the past two months run in order to preserve a national treasure.

“Kailangan i-develop ang Pasig River dahil ito ‘yung unang tinitingnan ng mga taga-ibang bansa. Gusto nila tingnan yung mga kayamanan natin dito sa bansa,” Sabal pointed out. “Kahit may duty ako, humihingi ako ng time sa mga officials ko para makapag-train.”

Sabal underwent three-hour trainings twice a week and ran a 42K route at least once a week in preparation of the marathon accredited by the US-based International Association of Athletic Federation and the Association of International Marathons and Road Races. His dedication paid off when he bested 950 runners in crossing the finish line after 2 hours, 26 minutes and 13 seconds.

Our efforts were worth it when we finally received our jerseys courtesy of the Clean and Green Foundation

From a historical perspective, the 950 runners who participated in the 42K marathon retraced the route to freedom taken by Rajah Sulayman when he fled the Spanish invasion in 1571 – sailing 27K upstream to the lakeside town of Bai. It was also designed to allow the marathon runners to pass by eleven of the thirteen tributaries of the Pasig River.

Being one of the country’s most celebrated waterways, numerous poets and writers have dedicated odes to the once-pristine Pasig River, among them Jose Rizal and Francisco Balagtas. Equally unforgettable is the classic song “Mutya ng Pasig” by Nicanor Abelardo. National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin even said that it was the Pasig River that shaped Manila.

With such a rich historical and cultural background, it is no wonder then why the non-government organization CGFI is actively promoting environment-oriented activities such as the International Marathon for the Pasig River.

“We hope to raise people’s awareness of the need to rehabilitate the Pasig River,” explains Imelda Sarmiento, Executive Director of CGFI. “We’re so lucky now to have one international runner from Kenya and he placed number 10,” she shares.

Aside from raising the public’s awareness about the situation of the Pasig River with the help of CGFI, the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) is also active in implementing several projects that are aimed at enhancing the physical environment surrounding the Pasig River.

“Under Phase One of the Pasig River Development Plan, we have the relocation of families from the banks of the Pasig River, the conversion of cleared areas into ‘linear parks’ and the implementation of urban renewal projects,” explains Bingle Gutierrez, Executive Director of the PRRC.

One of their most awaited projects is the revival of the ferry system which serviced points along the river until 1969. A new ferry service began operating in 1990 using river buses to transport residents but this was phased out by 1992. With the help of the Nautical Transport Services Incorporated, the PRRC will be conducting a trial run of the new ferry system by June this year.

“The Nautical Transport Services Inc. will be providing five boats by June this year and they will run until the early part of next year,” Gutierrez adds.

Showing off my certificate for Takbo para sa Kalikasan at the finish line

I’ve always wanted to establish a fitness regimen but I somehow couldn’t motivate myself enough to stick to one. This year, I’m really making a conscious effort to be more active and engage in sports that I haven’t tried before. First on my list is running, which is considered to be one of the most accessible sports since you don’t need any fancy equipment nor do you need additional training in order to engage in it. In January, I started running in the vicinity of a nearby park during night since I found it more conducive to run under moonlight rather than the cancer-causing rays of the sun.

My "training" paid off when I got an invitation to participate in the seventh edition of the Takbo para sa Kalikasan organized by DZMM. During the wee hours of the morning of February 11, I went to Luneta Park to take part in this annual environment-oriented event.  Since it was my first time to join a fun run, I signed up for the 3-kilometer category which started by 6 AM in front of the Quirino Grandstand at Luneta Park.

I chose not to bring my digicam during the marathon but seeing runners racing towards the first light of day is an image that I will always cherish. I also had great fun observing people (and pets!) who participated in the race – there were whole families who joined the race for a cause, some dog owners couldn’t bear to be parted with their pets so their four-footed companions ran along with them while one father pushed his child in a stroller as he crossed the finish line.

I finished the 3K in 34 minutes and 30 seconds – just finishing the race a few seconds before Senator Alfredo Lim and Cory Quirino. Even though I didn’t have a digicam, a friend of mine managed to take a snapshot of me with the Senator. Here’s my pic with Cory Quirino after she took part in the awarding ceremony / program of Takbo para sa Kalikasan.

Jocie with Cory Quirino

Being true to their environment-oriented cause, the organizers gave away saplings in addition to the cash prizes awarded to the winners. Other personalities who attended include Senator Mar Roxas, Korina Sanchez and environmental beauties (Miss Earth, Water, Wind and Fire).

I didn’t realize that running could be so addicting — I’m hooked!

I hoped I could join more marathons and my wish was soon granted when I saw a flyer at our office announcing a fun run for the Pasig River. But Takbo para sa Pasig is a different story– and a different post altogether.

Hope you’ll visit my blog again for more updates. =)