Profound grief, like love and affection, needs to be expressed.
Although the Marathon Foodie was just a small kid in the early eighties, I could still remember what it was like to live in fear during the waning days of martial law. We used to live very near the Malacanang Park where the PSG personnel also lived. When Ninoy died in 1983, even the simple act of tying a yellow ribbon outside our window – a simple expression of protest and defiance -- took a lot of courage on the part of my mom who was pro-Ninoy. My father was a Marcos loyalist then, so you can just imagine the tension at home.
I was only eight years old when the 1986 EDSA revolution happened. In February that year, my family was getting ready for the big move to Cebu that was to happen in March. All our things were packed and crated, except for one transistor radio and a few clothes. When news of people gathering at EDSA broke over Radyo Veritas, I told my mom that maybe we should just leave Manila ASAP and go to Cebu ahead of schedule where it was safer. But my mom, who was then two months pregnant with my brother Alex, told me that there was a revolution and we had to stay and contribute.
Photo by Drum and Run, taken along Biliran Road CBP, at the back of Ayala-FGU Center. Starting point of he Tribute Run.
And contribute we did. All the women living on our street took out all their big woks and cauldron and made batches after batches of chicken pospas and champorado in a make shift dirty kitchen outside a neighbor’s house; while the men and the unmarried women with no children to look after took the lugaw to EDSA for those who were keeping vigil outside Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo. It was community spirit at its best – a collective display of generosity, heroism and courage from simple folk, which I’ve not witnessed again since then.
Now that the Marathon Foodie is 32, I wonder why the passing of a woman so distant can have such a profound effect on me. From where does this grief come from? Thus, when fellow runner and blogger Drum and Run a.k.a. Carlo Serrano proposed that we do a tribute run on the day of President Cory’s burial, I did not hesitate to say yes. I thought that running was the most tangible thing I could do to honor the passing of a great woman and statesman, since I could not join the throng of men women and children lining up to pay their last respects at the Manila Cathedral. And just maybe, this pre-dawn run will help me put this grief in perspective.
Now that the Marathon Foodie is 32, I wonder why the passing of a woman so distant can have such a profound effect on me. From where does this grief come from? Thus, when fellow runner and blogger Drum and Run a.k.a. Carlo Serrano proposed that we do a tribute run on the day of President Cory’s burial, I did not hesitate to say yes. I thought that running was the most tangible thing I could do to honor the passing of a great woman and statesman, since I could not join the throng of men women and children lining up to pay their last respects at the Manila Cathedral. And just maybe, this pre-dawn run will help me put this grief in perspective.
Tribute Run Route
Thus, on Wednesday I found myself awake at 3:30 in the morning and getting ready for a tribute run for Tita Cory. Clad in our identical I Am Ninoy Runner’s shirt, Carlo and I began our tribute run at Starbucks in Ayala with the route traversing part of Archbishop Reyes Avenue, I.T. Park, Salinas Drive, Gorordo Avenue, Excario Street., M. Velez, V. Rama, B. Rodriguez, Fuente Osmena, Osmena Blvd., Escario Street and back to Ayala where we started. The tribute run spanned a total distance of 11.5 kilometers and we ran it at an easy pace ranging from 6:50 min/km to 7:20 min/km.
Training splits courtesy of Drum and Run. Thanks Carlo for sharing your Garmin!
Truth to tell, even after a great tribute run, I still can’t figure out exactly why I’m grief-stricken. Maybe I’m sad for my country and all the wasted opportunities for greatness. In 1986 anything was possible for the Philippines, but look where we are now. It seems nothing has changed. Maybe I feel ashamed of myself, a supposed true child of the EDSA Revolution becoming cynical and disillusioned about my country. Maybe I am mad at myself for giving in to the stupor and apathy in the face of great corruption. While I do not condone evil, I feel so utterly powerless to stop it. I forget how a simple housewife stood bravely, even in the face of death, and led a nation against a seemingly invincible dictator.
As a journalist, broadcaster and now a new blogger I have so much to thank Tita Cory for. I know I owe so much of my freedom to this woman. Without her, the freedom we take for granted today (including all the ranting and raving on Facebook and Twitter) would not have been possible. The least I can do to give back and honor her legacy is to shake off my own cynicism and apathy.
I guess this running and taking stock while I run is a good start. The mere fact that I’m feeling all these things and writing about it must be a prelude to an awakening. All true revolutions really do start from within.
As a journalist, broadcaster and now a new blogger I have so much to thank Tita Cory for. I know I owe so much of my freedom to this woman. Without her, the freedom we take for granted today (including all the ranting and raving on Facebook and Twitter) would not have been possible. The least I can do to give back and honor her legacy is to shake off my own cynicism and apathy.
I guess this running and taking stock while I run is a good start. The mere fact that I’m feeling all these things and writing about it must be a prelude to an awakening. All true revolutions really do start from within.
13 comments:
i was only 5 years old during the time of the revolution. at that time we were told to stay inside our homes for our safety. i had no idea what was going on back then - i wasn't even at the age of reason yet.
i only got to learn about the spirit of the revolution in the later years. indeed, cory's drive has done a lot - but though the country is still beriddled and displaced with corruption, at the very least there are a handful of people who still bring the spirit and try to fix the country one small step at a time.
i have to agree with you that all revolutions do start from within. no wonder ABS-CBN has created the "ako ang simula" campaign for us to be reminded of what we are supposed to be doing.
nice post, haids. keep on blogging, and keep on running! thanks for your mention in this post. =)
Hello Carl!
Thanks for coming up with the idea. It was a really great run. To be sure, not all runs are as introspective. Most of the time, my mind is blank or sometimes filled with random inconsequential thoughts when I run. =)
I blog ko pa yung mga ruta mo.
=)
Hi, I bet you had a great time on your run last Wednesday plus you were doing it for a noble purpose.
Maybe I can join you in your next long run but I have to develop a solid training base first, to keep up with you.:-)
P.S. pwede ask unsa size imo iamninoy t-shirt? Thanks...
Hello Panda Girl!
It's size small. Unisex sya so the sizes are quite big.
Of course we can run together. I'm in Abellana every Thursday morning from 4am to 6:30 for my speedwork with Coach Precing.
Best,
Haide
hey atty.! it was sweet of you to do the tribute run. sa manila ra man to gi-announce for iamninoy runners. I already ordered my shirt, but sad to say, i have to get it in Manila! Yikes! I will be in Manila from Oct.15-18! I'm planning to join the Quezon City International Marathon. maski 10k ra gud! Anyway, are you planning to join, too? Dyahe man gud kung ako ra usa!
Hello Ling!
I'm running the 42K. I know John Pages and Joel Garganera and maybe more runners from Cebu Executive Runners Club are going also.
Ayaw gyud ka dyahe dagan sa Manila bisan feeling nimo ikaw ra taga Cebu didto. When I ran the Condura 21K Skyway Run last March ako ra pud usa but I made a lot of new friends. It's really easy to make friends and start a conversation with runners.
It is a finishers marathon - walay cut-off time. The registration starts August 10.
About the tribute run, I know the Guardo Brothers and heir friends will all do a tribute run on Sunday at the Metrosports Fun Run 5K at 6AM.
Best regards,
Haide
Hi Haide,
Is there a boutique here in cebu that we can sign up for iamninoy runners or only at manila? I have already signed up thru online but I think the fee and claim of shirt is a long way to manila.
regards,
Mark
Hello Mark! Thanks for visiting the blog.
I also applied online and bought my shirt from the Rudy Project store at BHS. Rudy is the apparel sponsor. As far as I know, the RP branch at the SM City Cebu North Wing has yet to be designated by the group as venue where I Am Ninoy Runners can buy the shirt.
As soon as I hear anything from the group, I will post it here immediately.
Hi Haide,
Thanks for the info. We, a group of runners from Lexmark (LIPI) are very interested in joining the org.
Hope RP branch here will be given a go signal to issue the reg and shirts.
Anyways, see you on the rock and run this coming Aug. 16.
Good speed on your training for the full marathon. Your blog is very informative to all runner enthausiast.
regards,
Mark
Hi mam haide,
Aren't you not joining the Subic International Marathon? I've read that the route has nice view. It will be on the same date with Quezon City Marathon...
Rhys
You're welcome Mark! See you on the road! =)
I haven't considered Subic International Marathon. It is really a problem when marathons are scheduled so close to each other. A runner is supposed to have 3 months of rest and recovery in between full marathons. Otherwise you risk injuring yourself or needlessly increasing your body's wear and tear. Rest is as important as training.
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