For the second straight day, the BP was running inside a
memorial park. This time, on that morning of December 28, I was in Naga City along the Basilica Road (or Balatas Road) on a 5-km jaunt near the Sampaguita Tourist Inn Magsaysay Avenue Branch where we were billeted. This is the 7th day of my running streak.
.jpg) |
| In front of the Basilica at the start of the run |
 |
| Map of route |
A privilege for me is that the route passed thru two
memorial parks. The first one is the
Sto. Nino Memorial Park where Sen. Raul Roco lay buried. He championed women’s
rights and good governance when it was not yet in vogue in this country. Straightforward and a visionary, he is
considered by many as the Greatest President the Philippines never had. Roco ran for the presidency twice and lost both bids. A Roco victory would have signaled a tectonic shift in the nature of
Philippine politics.
 |
| In front of Sto. Nino Memorial Park |
The second one is the Eternal Gardens where the tomb of Sec. Jesse Robredo is located. He
catapulted to national fame when he was accorded the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award as the long-time mayor of
Naga City. He was the Local Government Secretary of the PNoy Cabinet when he died in a plane
crash. It was in death that the people
got to know more of his simple yet effective "tsinelas" leadership. Robredo’s inspiring example of good governance
is sorely missed in this time of pork barrel scandals.
 |
| Inside Eternal Gardens |
It was a meaningful experience for me to pay my respect to
these two icons of good governance. For joining
me in this run, a big thanks to
Ric, Allen and three more Lake Bato Ultra alumni: Joji Asis, Gary Castillo and Kevin
Moral. Double thanks from Bob, Ed and me
for the treat by our Naga-based running buddies of the tasty kinalas in
Dayandang after the run.
 |
| Kinalas at Dayangdang |
1 comment:
Sec.Jessie and Senator Raul will always in our hearts bicolanos....BP rain or shine we will run w/ you kahit puyat man at may hangover...pordalab!
Post a Comment