AN “AMBUSH” OF A HAPPY KIND IN CAMP A

Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City is the favorite training ground of the 83neans and many more runners. 


Camp A offers a tree-lined asphalt road which has never been too hot even in high noon. It is friendly to runners and bikers as evidenced by several billboards along the road cautioning vehicle drivers to give way to these weekend athletes. No smog or noise pollution inside this military camp. And a big plus is that Camp A, being the headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, is a very safe place.

Thus, it was quite a big surprise for us last September 2 morning, when an ambush was sprung on an unsuspecting runner along the road near the church in Camp Aguinaldo.  Luckily, the “ambush” was of a happy kind and the “victim” was our very own, Navy Captain Ruben “Fards” Fajardo.  

You see, a dozen or two of Fards’ squadron mates at the Sangley Naval Station, with a willing accomplice in the person of Fard’s wife,  motored all the way from Cavite City to Quezon City and came up with a surprise birthday breakfast salo-salo for their commanding officer. For weapons, they used guitars instead of assault  rifles and for ammunition, they brought out pan de sals, luncheon meats and bananas instead of grenades and bullets.  

It was a truly  happy celebration for our fellow 83nean runner. It is evident that his fellow navy men respect our classmate Fards. The  83neans and the Navy are one in saying that Fards is a true officer and a gentleman.  

Happy Birthday, Fards. We have many a hundred miles more to conquer................!

83neans with Fards’ navy mates, some of whom are divers who participated in the search and retrieval operations for Sec. Robredo in the waters off Masbate