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.