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METS: Fred Wilpon expresses optimism about team's outlook
PORT ST LUCIE, Fla. -- Pending litigation related to the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme, a huge payroll drop and uncertainly about his team's ability to secure free agents, New York Mets owner Fred Wilpon is still excited about the upcoming season.
The Mets are just weeks shy of Opening Day, but Wilpon still finds optimism about the state of his franchise and the ability to be relevant in the near future.
Wilpon said Monday in spite of the obvious handicaps management has in fielding a relevant team, he has full trust in the people around him to do it.
Whatever happens, he said, he's sticking in for the foreseeable future. Ownership has been forced to tighten its belt, clearly, but Wilpon doesn't think the situation is exactly as dire as it appears.
"Well, you shouldn't be concerned about us owning the franchise, because we intend to own the franchise for a very long time. Whether they're happy about that or not, I don't know," Wilpon said. "Don't forget we cut a lot of payroll that wasn't producing. If you look at the payroll right now, it's fluid. I don't know what's gonna happen or what (general manager) Sandy (Alderson) is gonna do."
The Mets are entangled in what was originally a $1 billion lawsuit brought by a former trustee of Madoff who is claiming that the team should have known millions they collected from Madoff represented phony profits.
A ruling has since limited the ownership's exposure to $386 million and made it possible the team's payoff won't be more than around $83 million. They are facing a March 19 trial date.
"That's been a motion picture," Wilpon said. "When it started, there was a really big number out there and now -- I'm not minimizing -- but it's a different number. So, the next couple of weeks will tell whether there's a trial or not a trial."
There's also the issue of a $25 million loan from Major League Baseball the club owes. The repayment was extended until March, and another $40 million is owed to Bank of America. The team chose to sell limited partnerships after a deal with a hedge fund manager fell apart.
They are still looking to secure commitments, but Wilpon isn't worried about losing control in the new makeup.
"You can find a lot of ownership where someone might own 20 percent and yet they are the control person," he said. "...I doubt whether we'd sell significantly more. That's not the plan right now."
Wilpon also said the team's financial situation has no correlation in whether Citi Field will be officially announced as the site of the 2013 All-Star Game. That, he said, is being held up by New York City's finances.
Wilpon attended a meeting Monday in which Mets manager Terry Collins addressed the full team about the season. Collins said he didn't hold his tongue in giving players an honest assessment of what he thinks they can be.
"I spoke from the heart, I always do," Collins said. "I told them today, basically there are 29 teams that think they're better than you are. How does that make you? And what are you gonna do about it? You gonna talk about it, or are you gonna do something about it? That was pretty much the gist of the entire conversation."
On the field, one of the biggest personnel matters is the future of third baseman David Wright following the departures of stars Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran.
The Mets have a $16 million option next season on Wright, who is coming off a 2011 campaign that was stifled because of injuries. It was his worst offensive year since he was a rookie. The ultimate decision of whether to lock him up long term will rest with Alderson, Wilpon said. Though, he acknowledged there would be input from above.
"My intention is always to follow the baseball people, in spite of what (the media) says that we're running the baseball department or whatever," Wilpon said. "Sandy Alderson has a great feel for this. So does Terry. And if it works out, I'll be thrilled."
For an example of the kind of parameters Alderson will operate in, Wilpon cited the negotiations with Reyes.
"We certainly act in certain broad parameters. But the parameters are always changed," Wilpon said. "I think Sandy made an offer of around $100 million that Jose could have earned if he were healthy. But Jose did what was best for Jose. Jose is a very nice young man and a very good player and we wish him well."
While a lot could certainly change in the coming weeks, perhaps the best news for Mets fans is that if the financial situation improves, so too could the payroll.
It's also why Wilpon is cautioning everyone not to count on the roster that currently exists and Alderson's ability to make moves later.
"When I said, three years ago, that Mets weren't affected by the Madoff thing, I was telling the truth because we weren't sued then. It was prior to the suit," Wilpon said. "Then did it affect it? Sure.
"I would tell you let's see how this team plays. Let's see what we need. ... They've had some experience now. We could be talking six months from now or three months from now at the All-Star break and saying this core looks like its matured. (Alderson) may not even want to do something then."

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Farrah Abraham Shows Off Her Hot Body
Maria Menounos Continues Her Beach Vacation
Sofia Vergara Makes Me Picture Her As Triplets
Bikini Photoshoot Candids Of Miranda Kerr
Alessandra Ambrosio At The Beach With Her Daughter
Sexy Behind The Scenes Shots A Miranda Kerr Swimwear Shoot
Claudia Romani Shows Off Her Bikini Body In Miami
Pixie Lott In A Beach Photo Shoot
Joanna Krupa Pretty Much Topless In Beverly Hills.
Selena Gomez In Denim Shorts
Selena Gomez really gives me hope. She just seems like such a positive, upbeat young woman with a bright future ahead of her. She also seems like she really has her head on straight and I like that. There are a lot of girls her age in the entertainment industry I could not say that about and sometimes that troubles me. Like it or not, young girls look up to the Selena Gomezes of the world and I think it's important that there is someone in the entertainment industry worth looking up to. Is Selena really that person? I like to think so. She has a clean cut image and while she is growing up, she doesn't seem to be trying to grow up too fast. Whether or not that's the case in private remains to be seen. In these shots, we see Selena at the Adidas NEO Fall/Winter 2013 collection launch in Berlin and she looks fabulous. She really chose an outfit that was right for the occasion, as she usually does. She's a beautiful girl.


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Polis, local leaders urge Coloradans to work…
Polis, local leaders urge Coloradans to work from home as COVID-19 hospitalizations spike
State hospitals on Sunday reported an increase of 91 patients with confirmed coronavirus infections
Lab Technician Matt Hart, with help from Nurse Mary Andriano, left, gives a COVID-19 test to a patient waiting in their car at Sky Ridge Medical Center on Nov. 9, 2020 in Lone Tree.
By Shelly Bradbury | sbradbury@denverpost.com |
PUBLISHED: November 15, 2020 at 5:32 p.m. | UPDATED: November 16, 2020 at 9:14 a.m.
Gov. Jared Polis and local leaders on Sunday urged Coloradans to work from home as much as possible in the coming weeks to stop the spread of the resurgent coronavirus as the state's hospitals reported another new record number of COVID-19 patients.
Colorado's hospitals reported a spike in admitted patients with confirmed coronavirus infections Sunday, with 220 new patients admitted over the last 24 hours and 129 discharged, for a net increase of 91 virus hospitalizations.
A record 1,278 confirmed COVID-19 patients are currently hospitalized across the state, according to data released Sunday by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
The state on Sunday also reported an additional 21 deaths of people who had been infected with COVID-19.
State officials last week warned that hospitals could be filled to capacity if the coronavirus continues to spread at its current record-setting pace, and on Sunday, Polis released a statement in conjunction with a handful of local government and business leaders that encouraged Coloradans to work from home whenever possible in the coming weeks.
Polis and other leaders have been reluctant to issue new stay-at-home orders even as the virus surges, citing concerns about the economic impacts of a second shutdown, this time without supplemental unemployment benefits available from the federal government.
"Given the public health concerns from Colorado's surge in COVID cases, Aurora will answer the governor's request by making sure that every city employee that can work remotely is working remotely," Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman said in his statement.
Denver Mayor Michael Hancock joined the statement, as well as officials from Westminster, Lakewood, Boulder and Pueblo, and leaders in Adams, Summit and Routt counties.
Colorado reported 4,183 new coronavirus cases Sunday. The state is seeing more than 4,000 new cases on average every day, and on Sunday reported a 13% positivity rate among those who were tested — much higher than the recommended 5% ceiling. Colorado health officials estimate one in every 110 people in the state is currently contagious with COVID-19.
"Every Coloradan needs to step up and do our part to keep our communities healthy and our economy running," Polis said in the statement.
Shelly Bradbury
Colorado unveils climate plan to cut heat-trapping air pollution by 90%
Colorado prepares for significant increase in COVID-19 vaccine supply after federal changes to rollout


Dr Paul Myers and Dr Jens Thomas are post-doctoral researchers at the University of Liverpool. They are also business partners, having set up Farm Urban, which aims to link leading scientific research with local food production to transform how we farm our food.
Paul and Jens appeared on the University of Liverpool Podcast to discuss how small, unused spaces in cities could provide a sustainable food future for an increasingly urban global population.
By using technology to farm in spaces such as rooftops and basements, Paul and Jens believe they can create a more sustainable relationship between our communities and the food we eat.
Jens recognises it will not be feasible to shift all farming into urban environments, but says it is possible to envisage a future where a significant percentage of our food is not produced by large-scale farms in the countryside that are focused entirely on profit.
"It's kind of shifting the values we are approaching farming with," he says.
Can we reduce the energy required to grow food?
Jens began to seriously question the energy expended in large-scale food production during a year-long stay at an isolated ranch in Argentina.
With no electricity supply, it was up to Jens to search for, prepare and chop wood every day to manually create any energy he needed – even down to making a cup of tea.
As Jens and Paul started to explore hydroponic and aquaponic growing techniques, interest in their approach began to gather momentum. They won £4,000 in an enterprise competition at the University of Liverpool. This paid for the installation of their first system, before securing further sites, including Alder Hey Children's Hospital.
Hit BBC television programme Countryfile contacted the pair two years into their venture, and an agreement was reached to film a segment on Farm Urban. But a series of mishaps, from a malfunctioning fish feeder through to a hungry pigeon and a nesting seagull, left the pair's urban farm decimated just days before the cameras were due to visit.
How much energy could be saved?
By farming in basements and on roofs, Jens and Paul can use some of the heat currently wasted in city centre buildings. There are also energy savings to be made by not transporting food from countryside farms to urban populations.
In collaboration with the University of Liverpool, Farm Urban has two PhD students researching the energy and financial savings available by adopting urban farming. How much energy does Jens think could be saved?
What kind of urban spaces can we use to grow food?
Jens and Paul calculate that the 200m2 basement they occupy could soon be producing 120kg per week of leafy greens, herbs and salads.
Armed with that potential, they now want to start transforming elements of Liverpool that others perceive as eyesores – starting with the Churchill flyover bridge, which is due to be demolished soon.
Did you know that you can study online with the University of Liverpool while you continue to build your career? Find out more.


All TMC members are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of the Thomas Merton Center and brunch on Sunday, May 7, 2016, 11:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. 1927 Emerson Street, Palo Alto. We will share our vision for our TMC community as we move forward. We will also continue to seek guidance from the membership on issues for action by TMC in 2017-2018. We will be paying attention in particular to reports and recognition of the past year's accomplishments in the TMC community and give a grand thank -you to Judy Creek for more than 20 years of service to TMC as bookkeeper. Please mark your calendar. Members will receive an invitation and ballot by mail or email and are requested to return the R.S.V.P. form before May 7. Not a TMC member yet? Look for membership forms in St. Catherine's Corner (the nook outside the church restroom), or contact Kay Williams, Membership, at kaywill@pacbell.net, or call 650-270-4188.
Also there is an online application on the home page.


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La ciacialaca panciabianca (Ortalis leucogastra) è una specie di uccello della famiglia Cracidae. Si trova in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Messico e Nicaragua. I suoi habitat naturali sono le foreste secche di latifoglie tropicali e subtropicali, le foreste pluviali di latifoglie tropicali e subtropicali e le foreste fortemente degradate.

Note

Altri progetti

Collegamenti esterni

Taxa classificati da John Gould
Cracidae

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Solution home All things GDPR and Data Privacy GDPR News Items
Modified on: Thu, 14 Dec, 2017 at 1:40 PM
TIO Networks Corp. announced, on 1 December 2017, that, following a review of a data breach it suffered, it had determined that the personally identifiable information of approximately 1.6 million customers may have been affected. However, TIO stated that the systems of PayPal Holdings, Inc., its parent company, had not been impacted in any way, as TIO's systems are completely separate from the PayPal network, and PayPal's customers' data remains secure.
PayPal had previously announced, on 10 November 2017, that upon the discovery
of security vulnerabilities on the TIO platform, it had initated an internal investigation and TIO's operations had been suspended.


Happy Sunday Classy Crew! I hope everyone had a fun, safe, and VERY filling Thanksgiving holiday this week! I know I did. Tbh, I ate so much food these past couple days that it was hard for me to stand up straight after each meal...that's how full I was!! Legit, I sometimes had leftovers for lunch and dinner. I honestly do not want to eat anymore turkey, dressing/stuffing with cranberry sauce, collard greens, mac n cheese, or any other popular Thanksgiving food until next Thanksgiving.
Anyways, I am excited to announce November's Passion Story!
Today's Passion Story is about Isaiah Haynes! He is basically my "brother from another mother" and I'm happy that he wanted to be a part of my Passion Story Project.
If you could eat only one meal for the rest of your life, what meal would that be?
Team Pancake or Team Waffle?
Q: What is your passion(s) and how did you discover it/them?
A: My passion is advocating for kids who can't advocate for themselves.
Q: How did you go about developing your passion(s)/ becoming more skilled in it/them?
A: When I went to diabetes camp, it was amazing witnessing more experienced diabetics give tips and suggestions on how to better manage diabetes.
Q: Do you plan on including your passion(s) into your future career?
A: I more than likely will use my passion in my future career because I want to be a sales representative for a diabetes corporation. I'll be combining my love of marketing/selling with my number one passion of giving an easier life for adolescents with diabetes.
Q: What advice do you have for someone who finds your story/ passion(s) inspiring?
A:What you know is not all you know. There's always someone who can give input and support that will help progress your learning on even the things you think you know all about.
Q: How would you define "staying classy"?
A: Your "classy" is what you thrive on. Don't depend on anyone else's terminology.
Thank you guys for taking the time to read Isaiah's story! I hope you enjoyed learning about his passion just as much as I did. And thank you Isaiah for submitting a feature!! If you are interested in being a Passion Story feature, send me a quick e-mail letting me you know you're interested: stayclassybyjazzy@gmail.com. and I will send you the questionnaire!


The network's description: "Meet the Trotters, Del (John Leguizamo) and Rodney (Dustin Ybarra), two brothers pursuing the American Dream. But while some folks work in office buildings, the Trotters do things differently, buying and selling discounted, discontinued and slightly damaged items out of the trunk of their '78 Pacer wagon. Most days, you can find them at The Regal Hound, a bar run by Del's ex-wife Ruby Ross (Wendi McLendon-Covey) which the boys often use as an office space. Del's the risk taker, always looking for a sweet deal, whether it's unbreakable pinatas, skinny jeans that are a little burned, or a DeLorean with monster truck wheels. He's got a million big ideas. And he's just one score away from becoming the next great captain of industry.
Rodney's the more conservative one, the voice of reason, who acts as Del's conscience. Raised by his brother, Rodney is constantly trying to get out of Del's shadow. And then there's grandpa, Jackie (Christopher Lloyd), a feisty former stunt man in his golden years, who thinks he's still got it. Even though their half-cocked scams and schemes usually leave the Trotter bank account running on empty, they'll be fine as long as they avoid the law and rely on each other. Based on Britain's all time favorite comedy, Steven Cragg & Brian Bradley (Scrubs, MadTV) adapt and executive produce this subversive new comedy about the slightly crooked path two brothers travel on the way to achieving success."
What did they leave out? The U.K. original, "Only Fools and Horses," ran for seven seasons between 1981 and 1991. That and for whatever reason Rodney has been renamed as Donnie.
The plot in a nutshell: "I got a line on a deal that's gonna make us so rich, you might actually become attractive to women," Del Trotter (John Leguizamo) explains to his sad sack brother Donnie (Dustin Ybarra). Said pact is bound to be better than their current gig (Donnie: "We buy crap and sell crap out of the back of a crappy car. We're basically the Latino 'Sanford and Son.'") and could even get them out of their ramshackle apartment which they share with their crotchety grandfather Jackie (Christpher Lloyd), a formerly retired stuntman looking to get back into the game. Unfortunately, this deal of a lifetime turns out to be buying a DeLorean retrofitted as a monster truck from fellow wannabe hustler Trigger Mills (B.J. Bales).
And despite Del's promises of it leading to greener pastures ("Del: State fairs, carnivals, quinceaneras and if they make a 'Back to the Future 4' using monster trucks then baby we are set for life." Donnie: "Right, 'Back to the Future 4,' Christpher Lloyd's probably dead." Jackie: "Yeah, I think he is."), Donnie decides he's had enough of playing second fiddle to Del and opts to take a job at a friend's software company in Seattle. Del of course proves to be lost without Donnie, or as his firebrand ex-wife Ruby (Wendi McLendon-Covey) explains, "You are a stupid freight train of bad decisions and Donnie is the sad little conductor that keeps you from going off the rails." Ultimately, the brothers make up in time to clean up Del's latest mess: having monster truck DeLorean face off against Robosaurus at a car show.
What doesn't: ...that was unfortunate. "Kings of Van Nuys" plays like a lost FOX pilot from the 1990s, complete with cheesy sets, a piercing laugh track and also-ran protagonists. It's a show with both feet firmly planted in the lowest common denominator, whether it's bathroom humor (Del: "So now everybody wants their own bed. So what's next, toilet paper in the bathroom instead of restaurant napkins?"), more bathroom humor (Jackie: "That bottle to the head invigorated me: I only had to get up to pee twice last night... and the stream was strong my friend, strong!") or, wait for it, even more bathroom humor (Jackie: "My life used to be about adventure, now it's about my growing addiction to stool softener.").
The bottom line: ...just a mess.


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Another Pharmaceutical Company Settles FCPA Matter with SEC
By Michael E. Storck
September 23, 2016 | Corporate Blog
On August 30, 2016 the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") settled charges with AstraZeneca, a U.K.-based pharmaceutical company, under the books and records and internal control provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA"). The SEC alleged that AstraZeneca's wholly-owned subsidiaries in China and Russia violated the FCPA by making improper payments to doctors at government healthcare facilities to enhance AstraZeneca pharmaceutical sales and minimize pending sanctions. The improper payments were effected by creation of fraudulent tax receipts and travel invoices, and by specious speaker fees, and improper payments to government officials. Under the settlement, in which AstraZeneca neither admitted nor denied the SEC's allegations, AstraZeneca is to disgorge $4.325 million, and pay a $375,000 civil penalty and $822,000 in prejudgment interest.
The SEC's settlement order states that AstraZeneca waived its statute of limitations defenses. The waiver is significant because AstraZeneca's misconduct allegedly ended in 2010, and the FCPA statute of limitations is five years. Recently the SEC has conducted a number of FCPA investigations of pharmaceutical industry companies. Some, but not all, of these companies settling with SEC are SciClone Pharmaceuticals, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lily; and Johnson & Johnson.
For further information, see the SEC's administrative order and press release.
To discuss this matter and how the FCPA may apply to your SEC reporting company, contact Michael E. Storck at 716-853-5100 or mstorck@lippes.com.
Michael E. Storck
Partner | Team Co-Leader - Intellectual Property | Team Co-Leader - Securities
Lippes Mathias taps former Mars Incorporated Senior Leader to Co-Lead Intellectual Property Team
Dealing With Disclosure Requirements for Franchises and Business Opportunities
SEC Proposed Order Exempts Certain Finders From Registering as Broker
USPTO Requires That Foreign Trademark Applicants Engage a U.S. Licensed Attorney


During Olympia Weekend, we hooked up with the Delray Misfits and this episode of MSTV features interviews with Big Lenny & Andrew Collura.
We also did a number of our mSm Family Infamous Intox Instagram Live broadcasts and bring you one of them.
Other segments include: Masterpieces by Chris Brah, The Nose Knows, Ya Gotta Be a Freak and the brand new Muscle Nose TV created by the man behind the Instagram account, Joe Pietaro's Nose.


Asylum Collective and their friends and supporters in the Critical Psychiatry Network and Psychology Politics Resistance will be meeting to discuss alternatives to pathological labels of 'mental illness'.
The event, on 14-15 September, coincides with World Hearing Voices Day celebrations.
The meeting will be in the context of the 'normalcy 2011' meeting at Manchester Metropolitan University, and there will be space for talks, discussions, poetry and much more. We already have some guest speakers, and we are arranging more now. Join us!
We are asking anyone involved in the mental health system – as someone who uses services, who works as a professional or who does research – to come along. Be part of a critical discussion about what steps we can take to oppose oppression of those labelled by psychiatry.
i want to ask, how about if somebody knows about what am being trough, how to take care and the treatment, and the handeling and so?


We were thrilled to be commissioned once again by architecture practice Softroom • Architecture and Design to design and make a huge bespoke curtain for the new Wahaca restaurant in the centre of Edinburgh. The 'Confetti' curtain takes inspiration from falling confetti & ticker tape and forms a dynamic backdrop to the impressive double height eating space, flanked on either side by strong vertical lines, cascading lighting and tumbling planting.
The final curtain measures over 6m x 6m and is made from a combination of over 30 mtrs Bute Fabrics two tone tweed, wool felt and custom coloured leather, with machine stitched applique. The base of the curtain is once again cuffed with 'antique' leather.
We're so excited to have worked on the first Scottish Wahaca and we would like to thank Softroom • Architecture and Design and Wahaca Edinburgh for commissioning us and for the awesome challenge of creating our largest piece of work to date!
All projects ©Copyright Fun Makes Good 2009-Present. All rights reserved.


You can't spend much time on a computer anymore without recognizing that the possibilities for intrusion, even actual meddling, are growing. Digital security is an ever-increasing challenge.
Bruce Schneier, bless him, has published a new book, "Click Here to Kill Everybody," on internet perils.


Two nights ago, I stood before an audience filled with runners. There sat an American running his first 42K. Across him was a Canadian half-marathoner. Dozens from Cagayan de Oro arrived. Victor Ting, 67 years old from Manila, previously finished a 160-km. trek. He's joining the Cebu Marathon today. Mayor Mike Rama did not sing — he gave a speech and is running 5,000 meters at 5:30 this morning.
Maayong gabii kaninyong tanan — to our guests from out-of-town, welcome to Cebu! This is the event's sixth year. What makes the Cebu Marathon different? Is it the prize money, because we offer the most? The distance, because we're the farthest? The number of participants, because we have the most? No. Some races offer more money, have farther (100K) distances, and have tens of thousands of runners.
First, the timing. Our event is not held in March or August. It's always on the 2nd Sunday of the year. It's part of the festivities of the Sinulog — the country's biggest festival. If the DOT says "It's more fun in the Phils.," during the Sinulog, "Running is more fun in Cebu!" Today, runners will see buntings and lights all over, they'll hear the Sinulog beat playing, there's dancing… it's not a boring race. It's festive and lingaw.
Second: Our land, Cebu. Our city. Our province. Our history. Eight years from now, we will celebrate the 500th anniversary of Ferdinand Magellan's landing. Cebu is that historic. We are considered the oldest city in the country. For the 21K and 42K runners: you will be passing through some of the most historical sights in the country. First, we start at the Cebu I.T. Park, the city's premier business district. Then you pass along the Provincial Capitol, Osmeña Blvd., Fuente Osmeña, Colon St. (the country's oldest), Sto. Nino Church. My favorite spot? Running in-between the Magellan's Cross and the City Hall. Next, Malacanang sa Sugbo, Plaza Independencia and, possibly the only run to do this nationwide… underneath the Tunnel. Then the South Road Properties.
We have the best route of any marathon in the whole Philippines! Maybe one of the best in Asia.
Third reason: the people, the Cebuanos. We have a genuine partnership between the public and private sectors. The city government is giving the total cash prize of P389,500. We have the support of Ayala Center Cebu, Cebu I.T. Park, New Balance, Globe, Pocari Sweat and Nature's Spring. The support of the Talisay City officials, DPWH, CITOM, TODA and the SRP are crucial.
VOLUNTEERISM. The men and women behind this event are not being paid. You know why we're helping? Because we ourselves — all of us at the CERC — are marathoners. And many of us have travelled all over the world — from Chicago to Paris to Hong Kong to New York to Amsterdam — to join marathons. And if not also for the volunteers in all cities in the world, then we would not have been able to join.
We are giving back. This time, to you. We want you to experience the pain(!) and satisfaction of finishing a 21K or a 42K. It's a moment you'll treasure forever. In the streets this Sunday (today), don't be surprised if you'll see doctors, lawyers and top businessmen giving you a massage or a cold drink at the sidewalk.
Fellow runners: it is 32 hours from race time at 4 AM on Sunday. Congratulations! Each of you here — for joining, for spending hundreds of hours on the road, for waking up at 4 in the morning to run when everybody else is asleep, for all your sacrifices — each of you here is a winner in life.
Continue to enjoy running. Enjoy Cebu. Enjoy the Sinulog. Pit Senyor!
Visit the cebumarathon.com website now to check your registration details.
The word has two meanings. In Tagalog, "puso" means "heart." In Bisaya, it's pronounced in a stronger manner: PU-SU!
To us Cebuanos, we know the meaning of "puso." It's our favorite dish with lechon. We eat puso during parties. We bring bundles to the beach. Every important Filipino-style, get-your-hands-dirty event involves this hanging rice.
Well-said. Why this talk of the puso? Because, after three years of the Cebu Marathon when the 42K finishers received their mango-designed medals — now the CCM medals have a different look.
Puso. Yes, if you haven't seen the photo yet, visit Facebook or the website (cebumarathon.com) and gaze at it.
The puso represents Cebu. And it will be the prized possession of all 42.195-km. finishers of the January 13, 2013 race.
Shifting to Tagalog, it also takes a lot of "puso" (heart) to run from the Cebu I.T. Park to the Capitol to the City Hall to the Tunnel to the SRP — all the way to Talisay — and back to Lahug. That takes sacrifice. That entails eating pain and suffering and offering tons of prayer when one passes the Basilica Menor del Santo Niño. That takes heart.
And so, Bisaya or Tagalog, the word "puso" is the perfect representation of next Sunday's reward. A "puso" for the "puso" (strong heart) of the marathoner!
PRESS CON. We unveiled the medal last Thursday. When the CERC members and media personalities gathered in a long table, guess what was served in Mooon Cafe, our family-owned Mexican-inspired restaurant?
Of course, the puso. The diners were puzzled. Does Mooon now offer puso? Our CERC group — Roy Trani, Kenneth Casquejo, Jesse Taborada, Rudy Tindugan, Dr. George Evangelista, Barry Marquez, Raffy Osumo, Annie Neric and Dodong Sulatre — aware of the surprise, didn't comment. Together with pork barbeque, we just munched and ate. Finally, when the press-con started, I joked to the group, "It's not true that Mooon now offers puso…" Then we unveiled the medal made by Suarez Arts.
It's a tradition that's started and a tradition that will continue. That's why, as each year progresses, the number of 42K participants increases or is maintained. This year, we'll exceed over a thousand 42K runners. We want the 21K runners of this year to aim more, go farther, train twice as much — to make that moment when the medal is draped on one's neck even sweeter.
With every-Sunday races in Cebu today, collecting medals is no longer a rarity. Many runs offer medals. We'd like for the Cebu Marathon "puso" to be one of the most treasured of metals in your cabinet.
This, therefore, is a challenge to all runners: Go for that full marathon at least once in your life. If not next Sunday, maybe in 2014.
Finally, if you're joining, visit the website to verify your registration details. Good luck and God speed!
Last Tuesday, Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama – a runner both on the road and for public office – welcomed us to his Conference Room at the City Hall. In attendance were running enthusiasts Councilor Edgar Labella and Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) members Jesse Taborada, Dodong Sulatre, Meyrick Jacalan and Rudy Tindugan. Cebu City Sports Commission chairman Edward Hayco joined us.
The occasion: To officially launch one of this island's grandest of sporting events, the Cebu Marathon. The date? January 13, 2013. The venue: Start/Finish at the Cebu I.T. Park in Lahug.
Distances? 5K, 21K and 42K. These three categories are perfect for any body and everybody. If you've longed to exercise and join a fun run, the 5,000-meter distance is ideal. You can jog, walk, stroll most of the way and sprint as you cross the finish line.
The 21K or half-marathon? For those who've been running 5Ks and 10Ks, it's time to take your running to the next level. The 21K distance is far — but not as leg-cramping and exhaustive as the 42K. The beauty of this category? Just like the full marathon, it will take the runners along the most scenic of sights: from Cebu I.T. Park to the Provincial Capitol, down along Osmeña Boulevard, passing through Fuente Osmeña, to Colon Street, to the Sto. Niño Church, Magellan's Cross, Plaza Independencia then down the SRP Tunnel. You may a U-turn somewhere at the SRP… and back to the Cebu I.T. Park. Everybody who's done a 10K the past few months should register for the 21K.
The 42.195-km. run called the marathon? For those who joined the 21K last year and have done several this 2012, it's time to go all the way in 2013. You can do it!
Along the way – and during this Sinulog season — you will be greeted by hordes of volunteers who will man the 13 water stations – all loaded with overflowing water and isotonic drinks plus the signature gimmick of CCM: bands, loud music, Sinulog dancers, cheerers — all motivating you to finish and claim that Finisher's Medal.
ROUTE. The only change with the 42K route is the Gen. Maxilom (Mango) Ave. area. In the three previous CCMs, the Mango Ave. portion was one of the last (and most difficult) climbs. In the 2013 edition — as suggested by ultra-marathoner, Atty. Haide Acuña — we will do Mango Avenue first. This means that, upon exiting SRP, the 42K runners can now focus on running straight to the Cebu I.T. Park minus the Mango Ave. "Heartbreak Hill" obstacle.
PRIZE MONEY. Thanks to the support of the Cebu City government, who has funded the cash prizes of all the winners since this event started years ago, the same will hold true this 01-13-13.
Marathon (42K): P60,000 (champion); P30,000 (runner-up); P20,000 (3rd); P10,000 (4th); P5,000 (5th); and P2,500 each for the 6th to 10th placers.
Half-marathon (21K): P20,000 (champion); P10,000 (runner-up); P5,000 (3rd); P2,500 (4th); P1,500 (5th); and P1,000 each for the 6th to 10th placers.
5K: P5,000 (champion); P2,500 (runner-up); P1,500 (3rd); P1,000 (4th); P750 (5th); and P500 each for the 6th to 10th placers.
GOODIES. As I mentioned in this column a few weeks back, the participants will receive a limited-edition New Balance singlet. The value of this NB singlet is worth upwards of P700; if you're joining the 5K (registration fee is P600), you're actually receiving more than your fee.
The 42K (fee: P1,400) and 21K (fee: P900) participants will all receive Finisher's shirts (apart from the singlet) upon crossing the Finish Line. And, of course, exclusive to the 42K finishers, the prized CCM medal (new design).
FREE MOVIE PASSES. Finally, here's good (early Christmas) news for all runners who have not registered yet. Starting today, Nov. 22, until Nov. 30 — only for nine days — all registrants to the 21K and 42K categories will receive free Ayala Center Cinema movie passes. You need to register at the onsite registration booth at the Active Zone of Ayala Center Cebu. Remember: this is only from Nov. 22 to 30. Run to Ayala and register now!
PUERTO PRINCESA–It's our first time in Palawan, the home of the longest navigable underground river in the world. We arrived last Friday. While Typhoon Ofel left Cebu and it was sunny in Mactan, the skies darkened upon arrival in Puerto Princesa. It rained the entire Friday. Yesterday was the opposite: clear blue skies engulfed this island of blue seas.
I'm accompanied by three girls — Jasmin, our daughter Jana, and top junior netter Sally Mae "Em-Em" Siso. We're here for the national championships of the Palawan Pawnshop Junior Tennis — a Group 2 major event that has brought together 220 entries from all over the archipelago.
Last Friday, we had dinner at La Terrasse with Roland So. No, he's not the husband of Michelle — he's the former No. 1 player who's also here as a tennis parent. With his wife Tina, he brought along three of their six children: Camille, Mia and Mariel.
UFC. I got plenty of feedback from last Thursday's "UFC beats boxing" column and I'd like to share one, coming from a former Class-A tennis player and golfer.
PACMAN. This is hard to believe. And it's a sign. Manny Pacquiao, with just six weeks to go before his Dec. 8 fight against Juan Manuel Marquez, is absent. He's not found in the news. There's Donaire. There's ALA. But there's hardly any Pacman. This is surprising. Maybe the public is bored and weary of his 4th encounter vs. Marquez? Whatever the cause, the buzz surrounding Pacman is no longer the same. My advice for our modern-day hero? Pummel the Mexican, knock-him-out and then, before a worldwide audience, announce your retirement. Pacman's skills, as we've witnessed in the past few fights, is waning. It's time to end the career of the greatest Pinoy athlete ever.
LATE ARRIVAL. It was a long and tiresome trip for Team Visayas. En route to the 4th National Milo Little Olympics, the delegation's departure from Cebu got delayed by one day. They arrived in Manila on Oct. 19 (Friday) and had to be ferried straight to the Marikina Sports Park for the Opening Ceremony. They finally landed at the Robinsdale Hotel, all tired and travel-weary, past 9 P.M. – with games scheduled early the next day. That was the delay going to Manila.
Coming home was even worse. After the Milo Olympics finished last Sunday, the Visayas Team was supposed to leave Manila last Monday. Instead — no thanks to Typhoon Ofel — they left four days later, sleeping in the boat as it got stuck in the pier. They finally arrived in Cebu only yesterday noon!
Our group, the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC), held a victory and thanksgiving party two nights ago at my house. After the success and hard-work behind the Cebu City Marathon, which CERC organized, it was time to relax. We started with a Holy Mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Renel Cabag of the OAD. Then, it was the all-out eating of lechon, kare-kare, dinuguan… (yes, we marathoners, given the mileage on the road, gorge and eat buffet-style).
Among the CERC members who attended the celebration were Roy Trani (CERC president), Jesse Taborada (past president), and Jacs and Perl Jacalan (the ASAP couple staying on until 1 A.M. when Perl celebrated her birthday at the strike of midnight).
Also at the party were Jun Remo, Joel Juarez, 3:43-marathoner Steve Ferraren (our group's best dancer), Steve de la Cerna, Barry Marquez, Arnold Palma, Rudy Tindugan, Dr. Albert Santos, Dr. Ian Barlaan, Ted Tecson, Jon Consunji, Kenneth and Dr. Tata Casquejo; my SunStar boss, Michelle So; XTERRA champ-to-be Dodong Sulatre; Roel Militar; 4:09 marathoner Nica Ong and Ironman women Annie Neric and Jane-Jane Ong.
Two nights ago, while "Chariots of Fire" played in the background, we viewed pictures of Bro. Carlo joining the 102-K and 160-K ultramarathons. Yes, 102K and 160K! In fact, today, he is leaving for Manila (together with Atty. Haide Acuña) to join this Saturday's Bataan Death March 160-km. run from Mariveles, Bataan to Tarlac.
We wish Bro. Carlo and Haide good luck for the sure-to-be-agonizing 160K… and Bon Voyage to Bro. Carlo who'll convert Laos into a running democracy.
Just wanted to share with you the inspiring words that came out today in The Freeman. Written by Rico Navarro, a lifelong sportsman who joined the 21K of the Cebu City Marathon, here's his column that appears today, Jan. 15. BTW, to all… PIT SENYOR!!!!!
Thank you, Lord! When the rains deluged Cebu last Saturday night, we were worried. Rain is good. It usually is. But not during a major outdoor event like a marathon. But, thanks to His divine plan, the stormy weather stopped at 3 A.M. and the skies cleared (even from the scorching sun—perfect for the runners!) the entire day. Thanks to….
CERC. It's called volunteerism. Members of the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC)—led by our president Roy Trani—have to be lauded for the many months of preparation.
KENNETH CASQUEJO. Among the CERC members, none worked harder than Kenneth, the man behind the race-organizing company Run Check. Kenneth handled the bulk of the operations—from helping in the Registration to heading the Race Expo to delivering many of the supplies (water, bananas, Pocari Sweat). Good job, Ken!
UC. The biggest contingent was from the University of Cebu. When I met Atty. Gus Go two months ago, he promised that his students will join. They did. Numbering 2,000, they crowded the streets. Special thanks to UC's top officials Bernard Ricablanca and Emerson Subong.
BOYING. Seven days ago, I received this SMS message: "Do you still need extra help? Although I am registered, won't be able to run. Crashed my bike and sprained my wrist and ankle. Not being able to run will be frustrating but at least helping out and being part of it will ease the pain." The sender? Top sportsman Boying Rodriguez, who helped last Sunday at the Plaza Independencia.
SRP. By motorcycle, I was able to tour the CCM route. The best spot was the South Road Properties. The climate was cool. Both lanes were closed to vehicular traffic. The sunlight emerged from the waters off Bohol. Thousands of brave runners mustered the courage to fight their fatigue and run.
TUNNEL. Among the 14 water stations that provided hydration, one of the best areas—manned by CERC's Dodong Sulatre—was the tunnel. Two "higantes" entertained the runners. Free massage was offered. Cold water spray was splashed on the faces. Loud music boomed. Perfect.
12 NOON. Eight hours after we released the 42K runners at 4 A.M., the last runner, Francis Velasquez of Cagayan de Oro, arrived barefoot. He ran without shoes (to raise funds for the victims of Sendong) the entire route. We gave his wife the finisher's medal as she donned it on him at the Finish; they kissed and hugged as we applauded.
JIGGY. Arriving just minutes before Francis was Jiggy Cerna who succumbed to leg cramps at Km. 22. Imagine limping the remainder of the way—that's 20 more kms.—just to finish. That's perseverance. Jiggy's wife, Chay, who finished the 21K, patiently waited at the I.T. Park. What a gallant effort from the voice behind Y101.
MAYOR. Proclaiming during the Press Conference that a healthy body is a prerequisite for a strong mind, Mayor Mike Rama joined the 5K. He wore jersey number "1." Councilor Edgar Labella, a long-distance runner, also ran.
CITOM. Nearly 100 traffic enforcers engulfed the city of Cebu last Sunday. With most of the roads closed to provide a safe passageway for the participants, CITOM played a most crucial role. CITOM Chairman Jack Jakosalem and executive director Raffy Yap: thanks!
YAYOY AND ED. To Cebu City Councilor Raul Alcoseba, who spearheads the Committee on Sports, his backing for the prize money was invaluable. So was the support of CCSC chairman Edward Hayco.
FIRE BRIGADE. Led by one of my closest buddies, Wilton Uykingtian, the Cebu Filipino Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigade helped cool the heating bodies of the runners. They were at Fuente Osmeña. They showered water at the SRP.
MEDICAL. In an event covering 42 kms. in scope, medical response is most essential. The CERC is blessed to have many doctor/members. Thanks to our fellow CERC member Dr. Rosan Trani, we were able to enlist 10 more groups who spread themselves all over the route. Dr. Wyben Briones was one volunteer. He was stationed at KM. 36 in Gen. Maxilom Ave. Thanks to the All Terrain Medical Relief Organization (AMRO).
To all those who participated and finished the Cebu City Marathon yesterday, January 8… CONGRATS!!! All the months and weeks of hard work on the road have paid off… and you must be resting those legs and knees and recuperating. There's no better feeling than seeing that finish line and crossing it. See you all next year!
"The marathon is a charismatic event. It has everything. It has drama. It has competition. It has camaraderie. It has heroism. Every jogger can't dream of being an Olympic champion, but he can dream of finishing a marathon." – Fred Lebow, founder of the New York City Marathon.
Those words are true. A rare number of Filipinos have ever joined the Olympic Games. No Pinoy—since we joined in 1924—has won the gold. But the marathon? The distance of 42.195 kms.? Running by foot—not riding the car, motorcycle or bike? Anybody—yes, that means any body, slim or heavyweight; teenager or a 78-year-old like Raul Cepeda—can achieve "the feat of feet" called the 42K.
As you read this, thousands of runners have swarmed the streets of Cebu. They're along Osmeña Blvd. They've converged at the Cebu I.T. Park. They're sprinting in Escario, Gorordo or inside the SRP.
Foreigners joining the Cebu Marathon? Sure. There are 18 nationalities represented: from Sweden, UK, Malaysia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Australia, USA, New Zealand, Ethiopia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kenya, Malaysia, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, and Thailand.
The first participant when the online registration was opened several months back? He was from Germany. One Kenyan runner landed in Cebu two days ago. Armed with a PR of 2:13, he vowed to break the CCM 42K record.
Like our very own Sinulog, the Cebu City Marathon has become international.
Apart from those running the 42K, there will be thousands more joining the 21-km. run. Two nights ago during the Race Briefing at The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu, I said that the 42K/21K runners are lucky.
To all CCM participants, congratulations!
1) CHECK WEBSITE. Log on to www.cebumarathon.com. We've posted all the participants' names — 42K, 21K and 5K. For any concerns, email us at info@cebumarathon.com.
2) VISIT RACE EXPO. Beginning tomorrow until Friday, race packs will be available for distribution. But here's an important note: For tomorrow (Wednesday) only, the race packets of the 42K and 21K registrants will be distributed first. (All categories will be open Thursday/Friday.) CLAIMING: To receive your race pack, bring the email confirmation or claim stub that was sent/given to you.
3) JOIN CARBO-LOADING PARTY. If you're a CCM participant, hear the final instructions and listen to top-notch runners during the Friday (Jan. 6) night Pre-Race Party. This will be at The Terraces of Ayala Center and will start 6 P.M. Load up on pasta and join the fun before the run.
4) RUN THE 5K. For those who failed to register on time last December, here's good news. We are re-opening the registration during the Race Expo only for the 5K runners. 5K ROUTE. What's exciting about the 5,000-meter Fun Run is the route: from Cebu I.T. Park down to Juan Luna Avenue… turn right towards the Cebu Business Park (passing along the Pag-Ibig Bldg.).. then run up to Escario St. (Parklane Hotel) before turning right to Gorordo then to JY Square … finishing at the Cebu I.T. Park.
5) TUNNEL & PLAZA. This January 8, the entire SRP Tunnel will be closed from 12 midnight until 9:30 A.M. for all the 21K and 42K runners. This is special. It is only during the Cebu Marathon that this 800-meter underground stretch of roadway is available for you to walk and run. Enjoy the tunnel!
6) PLAZA INDEPENDENCIA RUN. This park is beautiful. One of the highlights of Michael Rama's mayorship, passing in-between the Magellan's Cross and the City Hall then traversing inside the Plaza, we're proud to call this running city… Cebu.
7) SRP IS CLOSED. The SRP—thanks to the joint efforts of the city governments of Cebu and Talisay—will be closed from vehicular traffic from 12 midnight until 9:30 A.M. this Sunday. Yes, I know this means inconvenience for the motorists—but it only happens once a year. And this is meant to ensure safety for the nearly 3,000 runners of the 42K and the 21K. SRP CUT-OFF TIME. For the runners, this means a cutoff time of 9:15 A.M. along the SRP and inside the Tunnel. If, by this time (which is 5 hours 15 minutes after the 4 A.M. start), you are still along the SRP/Tunnel, you will be asked to stop and ride the bus.
8) DRINKS GALORE. Nature's Spring, our very own Cebu brand of water, will refresh all participants this weekend. For the sports drink, Pocari Sweat will be stationed along portions of the 21K and 42K route.
9) REST. With only five days left before the historic 01-08-12 date, it's time to relax and recharge. The next few days is no time to cram your training. It's better to be undertrained than over-trained.
10) RACE BIB. In case of emergency, we urge all runners to print the name of the person you wish to be contacted at the back of your race number. With several doctors as part of the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC), we are putting a lot of emphasis on our medical response.
11) WEAR COSTUME. Plenty of prizes will be given away to individuals and groups who don the best Sinulog-themed attire. Run and be seen.
12) FEEL THE BEAT, GET ON YOUR FEET! Thanks to the super couple named Meyrick "Jacs" and Perl Jacalan, the CCM has that perfectly-worded slogan. It's days before the Sinulog and what better reason to run. You can dance, strut, glide, sprint or crawl. However you want to run the marathon, be sure to finish!
Just for three days, from December 22 to 24, the registration for the Cebu City Marathon has reopened. One may visit the Active Zone of Ayala Center Cebu or may register online at www.cebumarathon.com.
While the Spooktacular (Run For Your Life!) Race this Friday night will have runners, literally, running scared, and while the annual Citigym Half Marathon is popular because of the 21K, a much bigger event looms just barely two months away: The 2012 Cebu City Marathon.
The reason? The 42.195 km. distance. "I'll run a 5K marathon this Sunday," many often say. But that's incorrect. Because a 5K Run, though enjoyable (like the Tribute Run for Melinda) is not a marathon. There is only one marathon distance and that's 42,195 meters.
That event is happening on Jan. 8, 2012. New Balance singlets await the participants. Live, Sinulog-type entertainment will excite the runners. Water stations will flood the streets every 1.5 kms. Cheerers will shout. CITOM personnel will close the South Road Properties. A Carbo-loading Party will provide a feast for all at the Ayala Center Cebu.
Register now. If you're got a credit card and can get online, enlist now. The rates are less expensive (compared to Nov. 20, when the "Late Registration Fees" begin). The distances are similar to the past two years: 5K, 21K, and 42K. The routes for the half-marathon and marathon will be the same as last Jan. 2011. Start and finish at the Cebu IT Park. Runners pass through Osmeña Blvd. en route to the SRP. The 5K route will be new—and to be announced at the press conference on Thursday.
What makes this race different is the timing. It's held seven mornings before one of Asia's loudest of parties: the Sinulog. Thus, the air is littered with confetti, the streets are lined with buntings; drum-beating music will deafen our eardrums. Our theme: "Feel The Beat. Get On Your Feet!" Find out more at www.CebuMarathon.com.
CITCI. Ken Salimbangon and Nestor Toledo comprise the one-two doubles tandem who organized the Cebu International Tennis Centre Inc.
Nicknamed CITCI and located in Laray, Consolacion, it is the only facility in this island that is home to 10 tennis courts. Yes, you read it right. Not two or four or six—but five clay-courts plus five hard-courts.
This Friday to Sunday, Oct. 28 to 30, Ken and Nestor are helping organize the 18th leg of the Cebuana Lhuillier Age Group Championship at CITCI. Open to players aged 18 years old and younger (some as young as six years old!), the event is Philta-sanctioned and many prizes await the winners. Registration fee is P300 and the deadline is this Thursday. Call now: 0922358845, 5144379 or 09229488739.
PACMAN. The Nonito Donaire fight was boring? Who said so? Not when "Manuel" Pacquiao entered the arena three nights ago. Yes. That's "Manuel," not Manny. The Pacquiao lookalike, who's reportedly an airport worker from Houston, Texas, entered the stadium and had everyone snapping their flash photos.
Who was he? His name is Allan Rivera Manuel.
HOOPS DOME. I spoke to Councilor Harry Radaza two nights ago. In preparation for the Nov. 5 PBA game (not the usual exhibition but a 'bearing' game) between Petron and Alaska, the City of Lapu-Lapu has installed more ceiling lights. This NBA-like arena, the only one in our province, has become even more NBA-like. Looking forward to next Saturday's Blaze Boosters vs. Aces contest at the Hoops Dome.


Something interesting that I have discovered lately is that Feeding Inc. is a microcosm of our community. Being a part of a community means that we move beyond just keeping our own houses and begin to help our neighbors with their problems. I have been just as guilty as the next when it comes to having the mindset of 'just taking care of our own'. Through my time here serving at Feeding Inc., I have come to see that a community is only as healthy as its individual residents. I love our community and it has a lot of great things happening in it, but I cannot and will not turn a blind eye any longer to its problems.
If we want to see our community transformed, then we need to step up and step in and do our part to help our neighbors. Each person's problems are complex combinations of their upbringing, traumatic experiences, the environment they live in, the company they keep, the resources they have access to, the health of their families and themselves, their education level, their political and spiritual beliefs and the society in which they live. While each person's choices are their own responsibility, it is not so simple to just label them as lazy and write them off as a liability with no potential. Each person has been created with the potential for greatness inside.
Feeding Inc. is here to help unlock that potential with classes and goal setting tools, but to transform a community, we need to have our mindsets shifted from seeing people as problems to seeing people as potential. Almost four years ago, I would have been one of those people you see as a problem. But I have potential and just needed someone to care and step in with directive wisdom. Feeding Inc. was there to help me. How can you begin to shift how you see people? By getting to know them and their struggles and learning to love them. Who is on your path that you can learn to love and encourage with directive wisdom?