Tun Fun Run kickstarts

General Santos City-The 2013 Tuna Fun Run kickstarted in General Santos City on Sunday, September 7, 2013.

The Run officially started at 4:30 A.M but there was another gunstart at 5:30 A.M. for the other categories.

The Fun Run, which is sponsored by the Notre Dame of Dadiangas “One Damean” Batch 87 as part of their silver jubilee celebration and the Order of Demolay of General Santos, is part of the Tuna Festival held every September of the year.

“We hope to surpass the 1,900 runners last year considering that fun runs are becoming popular these days,” Tuna Run Chairperson Ma. Lourdes L. Libres said. Also acting as Tuna Run chairperson is Bernadette B. Ruivivar.

The Tuna Run 2013 has four categories namely 3K, 5K, 10K, 21K and the 1.6K for parents-and-kids tandems. Among the expected participants are amateurs, professional runners and health buffs. Registration fees are from P200 to P450 with singlet and from Pp50 to P150 without singlet depending on the category (Elementary, College/Adult, Half Marathon and Adult and Child Tandem).

“All runners are expected to be at the Starting Line by 4:30 A.M.,” Libres said. The Fun Run will start and end at the Robinsons Place Gensan Parking Lot.

One Damean President Architect Elwyn Banares said they are determined to make the Tuna Fun Run a yearly event not only to raise funds for a cause but also to promote running as a lifestyle. Two Free Run Clinic lecture and practicum sessions were conducted by the organizers on August 23 to 24 and August 30 to 31. Marathoners Allan C. Delima and Jessie A. Lozada gave the hopeful runners an overview of the benefits of running and some running tricks and tips.

Proceeds of the Tuna Run will go to the Marcellin Foundation, Inc. a halfway home for children in GSC being maintained by the Marist Brothers. The program also provides residential care to the abandoned, neglected, and abused children, and those in conflict with the law. Other beneficiaries are the Notre Dame Holy Rosary Chapel and public schools in Brgy. San Jose, GSC.

Pacquiao for Congress?

I can still remember how life in the Philippines took a standstill during that day when Manny Pacquiao beat Eric Morales in a much-awaited and much-publicized boxing match. Pacquiao was the unifying factor of the whole country. That day, all activities seem to have stopped. Traffic in Metro Manila was miraculously light because all drivers and commuters were inside establishments watching the boxing match. Even the executives of top corporations in the country were cooped up in their air-conditioned offices or mansions with their own 30-40 inch wide flat TV watching Pacquiao sweat it all out. Politicians from both the administration and the opposition were united for a day wishing that Pacquaio would get the belt. The whole Philippines society, the left, right and the middle came together to chant for Pacquaio.

Yes, Pacquiao, that former fish kargador from General Santos City who managed to change his fate 360 degrees because of the power of his "kamao". He was treated like a hero, rather royalty when he came back to the Philippines. I could have argued with that because despite his constant chant that he is fighting for the country, Pacquiao was indeed fighting for P5 million or was it more than that? He was fighting for Pacquiao, Incorporated.

Pacquiao has declared his intention to run for Congressman representing General Santos City. I am from that city and I am already gritting my teeth because of the way the city has deteriorated economically and peacefully every since Mayor Pedro Acharon became top honcho. Gensan used to be a very progressive city. Today, all it has to show are the remnants of bombing activities of still unknown and uncaught perpetrators.

I was planning on going back to Gensan maybe to work there or to start my own business. This despite the poor leadership of Acharon. Well, I was counting on the fact that I would transfer there when he is about to finish his term and there would be a new mayor who would be more adept in managing the city's peace and order just like Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

If Pacquiao wins the election what will happen to Gensan? With Acharon for mayor and Pacquiao for Congressman---Gensan is going to the dogs!

I am against Pacquiao because he is not qualified! The main responsibility of a congressman is to enact laws. How can Pacquiao enact laws when all he knows is gamble his winnings away? One day he losses P300,000 in a billiard match in Davao. Next day he lost P300,000 in a sabong in Gensan.

I am at a lost. Politics in the Philippines is so stupid. Now I’m wondering if I should start packing my bags and getting those forms ready for the Canadian Embassy.