Ironman BRIEFS

Stargazing

Despite a chilly early morning drizzle, Ouano Avenue, across the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) was filled with people as early as 6 a.m.

They risked getting wet and endured the unusual Sunday traffic in getting there, but it was apparent that most of the throng were there to catch a glimpse of the stars that made yesterday’s Ironman triathlon a “red carpet” event.

Guada Santos Bravo, one of the spectators, said her cousin was participating in the race. But she was blunt in saying that she was not there to cheer for her cousin.

“I came here for the celebrities. The cousin is only second priority,” said Bravo.

Local showbiz A-lister Piolo Pascual took the streets by storm as he drove by the CICC in yesterday’s Ironman biking event. Shrieks and whistles erupted as the hunky actor made his way through.

“Gwapo kaayo si Piolo. Pink kaayo iyang cheeks (Piolo is so handsome. His cheeks are so pink),” said Bravo.

Spectators also called out to other celebrities like celebrity chef Erwan Heussaff, TV host Drew Arellano, weather presenter Kim Atienza, socialite Tessa Prieto-Valdes, and internationally renowned rapper and songwriter apl de.ap.

An all-pink Tessa was wished well by Anne Jeannine Faelnar, another spectator. “Go, Tessa! You can do it,,” Faelnar cheered on.

Jovelyn Escuadro said she found apl.de.ap was really cheerful and the friendliest among all the celebrities she saw.

Escuadro jokingly added that it was the first time she saw so many good-looking guys in one place.

“Daghan kaayo og gwapo! Kung 1,000 ang niapil, mura og 900 ang gwapo (There are a lot of good-looking guys! If there were 1,000 participants, I can say 900 would be good-looking),” said Escuadro.

Bravo, Faelnar and Escuadro are all first-time spectators of the Ironman competion. /UP Intern Victor Anthony V. Silva

Bottle for survival

They blended well into the crowd. One might think they were there just to witness the Ironman triathlon. They cheer on the road bikers and bust their lungs out on seeing a celebrity who participated in the event. But once the coast is clear, they make a mad dash to the middle of road and scoop up water bottles discarded by the bikers.

With a black bag on hand, 16-year-old Niño Manso and younger brother Arnel have been on the lookout  for the yellow bottles on the track fronting the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) in Mandaue City. The siblings said they would earn 10 pesos for every bottle they turn in to a scrap dealer.

“Amo ni ibaligya sa junkshop sa may bag-ong merkado,” (We will sell these to a junkshop in the new market.) said  Niño.

As early as 8 a.m., they had already collected 26 bottles and are expecting to triple the number before the last biker scoots away by early afternoon.

Niño said they will give the proceeds to their parents who are both jobless./Correspondent Apple Ta-as

Rare chance

The Punta Engaño road that led to the running leg of the triathlon was lined with flag-waving students who were wearing green, yellow, red and blue jogging pants.

The Punta Engaño High School was among the 21 schools from Lapu-lapu City which contributed warm bodies to the 25,000-strong cheerers’ battalion.

The strong winds and the downpour failed to deter the crowd from witnessing the race.

“I woke up around three in morning and helped clear the area in preparation for the event and  to watch the race,” said Dolly Daño, a resident.

“The foreigners  led in  the race and outlasted the locals. But it is okay because they really visited the Philippines to join,” she said in Cebuano.

Archielino Baguio, a 62-year-old fisherman, said he did not set out to sea so he could watch the race.

“It only happens once a year,” he said in Cebuano.

Baguio, together with his wife and five children, woke up at 4 a.m and staked their spot along Sitio Mangal Street.

By 10 a.m. the Punta Engaño area was packed with onlookers looking out for celebrities. The crowd erupted with delight as Cebuano actor Mateo Guidicelli checked in and became the first celebrity to reach the running leg.

“Rain or shine we will wait for them because  we seldom get the chance to see them up close,” said another resident, Leonora Docdoc./UP Intern Christine Estrella and Correspondent Michelle Joy L. Padayhag