HALLOWEEN RUN 2020: Rica di Tradizione, Storia e Onore a Milano

Halloween is almost upon us and Pinoy Runners Global  surely has a Virtual Takbo celebrating this event. And we have the established Pinoy Runners Milan hosting this tradition that dates back to 2,000 years ago. 

Truth be told, as one Milan guide website  pointed out, Halloween is not a 'native' celebration for Italians, as it has been "taken for rent" from Anglo-Saxon countries; though it has now become of the most well-loved celebrations of the year in Italy.  Italians do not have holiday on Oct 31, however in Nov 1 they have a free day, since it is All Saints' Day, a Roman Catholic feast and a tradition in Italy.  This means that on the night of Oct 31 Italians go out for dancing and having parties in the best locations of the cities and Milan is no exception. 

In fact, Milan abounds in spooky destinations ranging from historical cemeteries to out of the ordinary old churches. Here are some notables ones:

San Bernardino alle Ossa

This is an old church that is peculiarly out of the ordinary.  It is actually a very short walking distance (300 meters) away from Milan's famous  Duomo Cathedral. It is a peculiar church due to its bizarre and sinister decoration, made up of a great number of human skulls and bones. 

Almost in the centre of Milan, San Bernardino alle Ossa is just a couple blocks south-east of the Duomo, on Piazza Santo Stefano. 

The skulls and bones have an interesting history to tell.  Back in the 13th Century, a local cemetery was running out of room. Fresh bodies from the nearby hospital were piling up and nowhere to bury them. Officials began digging up old skeleton, removing them from the cemetery and piling them up in a small chamber. Eventually, in 1269, the Basilica San Bernardino alle Ossa was built adjacent to this chamber. It is best known for its ossuary, a small side chapel decorated with numerous bones and skulls.    

Giant Cross of Skulls embedded in a wall of stacked femurs.

There is a beautiful ceiling fresco done by Baroque painter Sebastiano Ricci. Its flamboyant colors contrast astonishingly with the grimness of the bones and skulls.   

On the wall is a  special case. Special  as the skulls are from criminals who were beheaded for their crimes. 

It is perhaps best to quote from Italian best-selling author Giuseppe Genna who wrote in his book the following lines about the experience of being inside a place of prayer and fright:

"Skulls and tibias are elegantly laid out on display, smiling to eternity and generating a deeply moving 'memento mori.'  Now that your pyshce has been prepared, you may approach the chamber where the mortal remains of the austere Disciplini monks are show cased, waiting for the resurrection in their stern ossuary, while you watch them decay."   

According to legends, the bones of a little girl come back to life every All Souls' Day (Nov 2) and leads all the other dead in the ossuary into a dance macabre.  

An eccentric Baroque restyle twist for Halloween.  

A squad of PRM runners visited San Bernardino alle Ossa. Hindi takot ang mga "mamaw." 

A place of worship where fright can lead to a deeper prayer. 

Cimetero Monumentale

Located just a short distance from the heart of Milan, the Minumental Cemetery is full of outstandingly grand, artistically flamboyant, and unusual tombs. Officially opened in 1866, it has since then been filled with a wide range of contemporary and classical Italian sculptures as well as Greek temples, and elaborate obelisks. 

The main entrance to the cemetery is quite impressive.  It is the Famedio, a massive Neo-Medieval style building made of marble and stone. 

The main entrance to the Cimetero Monumentale 

The angel of death with its scythe. 

Lady under the shade of a tree. 

Hollow eyes. What if at night, the eyes glow. 

You can loss yourself in this cemetery and spend hours wandering around and looking for yet more interesting bits and pieces to look at. So come with plenty of time for if not, you might find yourself in the dark in this cemetery.     

In Milan, there abounds places steep in history. Which brings us to the host of this Halloween Run 2020 - the Pinoy Runners Milan.  Relatively speaking, it is one of the older and more established running barangays of Pinoy Runners Global.  One of its leaders, Kap Leopoldo Domanico is among those who first informed the Bicolano Penguin about PRG.  In a bid to know more about PRM, the BP had a Buongiorno of a  Q&A with its leaders Gary Eden and Leo:     

Pride in the Flag. Pride in the Shirt. Kap Leo Domanico in front of the Duomo di Milano. This Cathedral took ultra marathon years to complete.  Nearly 6 centuries.  Construction began in 1386 and the final details were completed in 1965. It is the fourth largest church in the world.     

Pride in the Flag.  Pride in our Nation.  Kap Gary Eden, wearing a Philippine jersey in running a race. Gary is one of the Founders of Pinoy Runners Global.    

BP:  Why is Pinoy Runners Milan hosting the Halloween Run 2020?

Gary:  It's an honor and privilege to be given the chance and opportunity to host the event because Halloween is a huge celebration that happens every year before Xmas. 

BP:  How many members does Pinoy Runners Milan have?

Gary: As of now only 40+ are still active with our respective families. 

BP:  How and when was the Pinoy Runners Milan formed?

Gary:  A bit of history about PRM.  It was formed and founded 5 years ago by 5 guys and as of now only 3 remaining founders still active in our organization. Myself before as Secretary and now for the past 2 years, I'm the President. The 3 active founders of PRM are myself, our Sports Chairman Leopoldo Domancio and our Vice President Conrado "Romsky" Malaque.  5 of us meet in one event 5K Stramilano 2014. Masaya kami na nagkitakita wearing and proud sa jacket na simbolo ng bandila natin. After that event nag umpisa kami magpulong at pagusapan ng pagbuo ng Pinoy Runners Milan para maiba naman.  Kasi usually ang hangout ng mga Pinoy dito on weekends ay picnics, tong-its, etc...Unlimited na pagdalo sa handaan.  Common reason din na dahilan itutulog ko na lang sa weekend kasi pagod sa work. So inumpisahan namin maghikayat ng ibang Pinoy na tumakbo para sa kalusugan. We promoted that walking, jogging, running sa park ang pinakamurang expenses compared to signing up for a gym membership. Just a pair of shoes, shorts and t-shirt/sando  you can run wherever you want and whatever time you want. "The family that runs together stays together." Nakapag organize na kami ng fun runs sa isang park. Open for all Filipinos who just want to have some fun with their families. 

Kinuha namin ang support and sponsorship ng Consulate sa Milan at nagbigay sila cash for trophies and medals. We involved the leaders of Filipino Association in Milan.  We have been recognized and awarded by the Consulate.  as one of the active groups promoting health awareness and the benefits of running para din mahikayat ang kabataan at ibang kababayan natin to stay away from drugs.  Hanggang sa makilala ko si Kap Robert Casem of Pinoy Runners Paris at pinakilala ako kay Kap Maner at Kap Minerva and the rest is history. 

The 3 active Founders of Pinoy Runners Milan in the early days (2015):  Gary,  Leo and Romsky Malaque. 

Pinoy runners at the start of the  Salomon Running Milano 2016 in Arena Civica.

Runners at the Parco della Vettabbia where the yearly family run is held by the Pinoy Runners Milan. 

Certificate of Appreciation from the Phil. Consulate General in Milan. 

Plaque of Appreciation from Federation of Filipino Communities and Associations in Italy

Courtesy call by PRM' Gary to Phil. Consul General Irene Susan Natividad.  The visit was made to honor the consistent podium finishes of Pinoy Runners Milan members in the Run for Life 5K  from 2017 to 2019. 

BP:  Based on the trophies and plaques, looks like the Pinoy Runners Milan has a very good impact on the Filipino Community in Milan/Italy.  Why?  What is the impact you have on the Filipino community? 

Gary:  1st and foremost, kami lang naiiba kasi karamihan samahang Ilokano, Bisaya, etc... May sports din pero kami lang as "runners." Nagkaroon kami ng impact sa Filipino community dahil na rin sa talamak na bad image ng Pinoy dito sa Italy. Dahil sa shabu. In our small humble ways to shift ang habit nila into a more meaningful way than self destruction sa drugs. We are proud kasi some of our members are into it and some bad vices. Thru them, nagkaroon ng domino effect from families and friends dahil nag bago na sila hanggang sumali na sila sa 21K, 42K at iba nag ultra na din.  .            

Runners of PRM chasing down the competition in local races in Milan.  

PRM's Jhay Cabrera is a Back-to-Back 2nd Runner Up at the Run for Life 5K (2017 & 2018).

  

In 2019, PRM's Raymond Tomacder placed 2nd Runner Up in the Run for Life 5K Monza.

Jollibee  and PRM. The Filipino Fast Food Giant finally opened in Milan in March 2018.  The Milan outlet is the first Jollibee store in Europe. 

The Philippine Consular Office referred the PRM to Jollibee as "ambassador runners" in the Milano Marathon 2019. 

Trophies.  Plaques of Recognition.  Mamaw runners.  Annual Family Fun Runs.  Appreciation from the Filipino Community.   Jollibee.   The Pinoy Runners Milan has a lot going for it.  That is why its is quite apt  to look at them as a well established running group.   In its own way, the PRM is writing its own history of being relevant and of service to the Filipino Community in Milan. 

History is rich in Milan.