August 21, 2010. This was my initiation to the world of running.
Today exactly marks my fifth year in one of the sports that turned into a passion in such a short span of time. I could have celebrated it again with a solo run which could rekindle the dwindling fire toward running, but my unappeasable hurt and thirst of rebellion plus the inclement weather halted me.
Sans the run though, I still decided to observe this annual event in my life by visiting the resting place of my most revered hero, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., whose 32nd death anniversary is being commemorated this very day. It was for him that I dedicated my first ever registered race five years ago.
My three sons and sister Cristy accompanied me in this visit, which has already turned into a yearly family tradition.
Eerie it may sound but being at the grave of Ninoy and Cory would always give us a kind of high for it had reaffirmed our adherence to the couple’s legacy.
As we left the mausoleum, I reiterated to my sons that Ninoy’s paying the ultimate price for our democracy is one lesson which they should remember and even pass on to their children and children’s children. This was the very same orientation we got from our own father who was a stalwart believer of this great man.
As our routine, we did not leave Manila Memorial Park – Sucat without paying our respect and offering a silent prayer for our beloved sister-in-law.
Unmindful of the imminent heavy downpour, my sister and I continued our celebration of these two events — Ninoy’s martyrdom and my fifth year anniversary — even though I have been in “running suspension mode” for more than two months now.
For fun-loving people, nothing seems to stop us! I think it was the natural phenomenon which had opted to suspend its occurrence to allow us to be in jubilation. Yehey!
To boost our euphoria amidst the drizzle, we all marched to Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen (see story at https://wanderingjouster.com/2015/06/26/when-the-royalties-feel-like-a-sicilian-family/), which I had confidently recommended to my sister.
This punctuated our night and made me grateful that August 21 has been a date to privately convene and to commune for very special reasons.
