RUNNING OUT OF FRIENDS? RUN!

I never thought that an ordinary day in August last year would turn my life upside down when a close friend of mine invited me to jog in Ateneo. Toix should be blamed for how much addicted I am now to running. If not for her, I would have not discovered the wonder of running and would still be as depressed before.

After that momentous night in Ateneo, Toix and I started running regularly and with regularly I mean, everyday. Since we have flexible time in the office and our work sometimes extends until midnight, we would run at 1:00 a.m. to avoid a run-less day . In hindsight, it was insane that we were oblivious of the world and the harm that might come upon us. But I miss those crazy days when we're alone in the entire campus plus maybe the ones that we didn’t see with our naked eyes but we felt and heard.

Toix and I still run together once in a while and whatever happens to this running “career” of mine, I’d always be thankful to Toix not just for her sincere and genuine friendship but also for introducing me to running that led me to meeting new friends like Jaimie Dy. I’ve known Jaimie way before I started running. We’re acquaintances satisfied with hi and hello until I discovered that she too is a runner. Since then, we'd have long chats about races, running shoes, running coach, running here, running there, running everywhere. When I lost all my running stuff last year, Jaimie was one of the few who understood how devastating it was. So, she not only comforted me, she was also kind enough to lend me one of her running shoes. If not for Jaimie, maybe until now I’m still stuck with my little, confined world. She was the one who introduced me to The Bullrunner where I discovered about more races and the bigger, vibrant running community including a clinic sponsored by Runnex where I gained not only better running skills but more friends as well.

Runnex people are warm. They welcomed and encouraged me the first time I was there to attend the sessions regularly. But there was one who really spent time talking to me asking me about my plans and invited me to join the Quezon City International Marathon. She was running her first half marathon then so was I. After a few minutes of being acquainted, she did not hesitate to invite me to train with her in preparation for our first half. We exchanged numbers and started texting since then. She’d remind me of my singlet, ask me if I already had my gu gel, etc. We ran the first kilometers of the QCIM together and a number of other races after.

Ms. Chuchu is inspiring! She’s not as young as I am but her passion is a lot greater than mine. I see that glow in her eyes and hear a strong sense of enthusiasm in her voice everytime she talks about running.

On our way to one of the races, for instance, we talked about wanting to become triathletes. Although I was serious about it, I didn’t pay much attention to details. I thought that it couldn't be soon anyway since I had zero knowledge on swimming and biking. What I didn’t know was that Ms. Chu already made arrangements with a tri-coach for us. Few days after that race, she informed me of our swimming lessons and I just found myself dipped in a pool and now actually swimming and loving it. Before, I wouldn’t find time to swim and would make excuses to miss our lessons until Ms. Chu pushed me. Without her, I’d still be avoiding the water and would not get closer to our tri-dream.

I enjoy being around her. I love her energy! Her passion is an inspiration but her kindness and generosity are greater gifts I treasure as Ate Dee’s.

Like Ms. Chu, Ate Dee has become more than just a running buddy to me. I feel so at home around her. It started when we frequently run alongside each other during long runs in the Runnex clinic. There we'd talk about running and our (non-running) selves. While I cherish all my runs with her, I will not forget the race in Corregidor where we really talked and that long run in U.P. before the New Year when we indulged in the serenity and beauty of the campus together.

Ate Dee has become a textmate and a source of strength against fears of joining some races especially my first marathon. I’d run to her for support since she’s already a marathoner and she’s always been there to encourage me. And when I was having second thoughts about doing the Condura Marathon, she was one of those who cheered me and helped me boost my confidence. I admire Ate Dee’s passion and dedication not just in running but in everything she does. We’ve run a few times together and I always look forward to running and talking with her.

Toix, Jaimie, Ms. Chu and Ate Dee are the first people I text after each race to celebrate a PR with or grieve over a bad run.

I know that more people will be added to my list of friends as I continue to run because in running, you will never run out of friends.

MISSING A RACE BUT NOT THE RUN AND THE FUN

I registered for The North Face Thrill of the Trail 100 but missed it. While trail runs are one of the many things I look forward to, I gladly skipped running the TNF 100 in Baguio for some reasons. I was torn between the thought of what I could possibly miss out if I did not join and the implications if I did. So just like deciding on other issues, (while running) I weighed the pros and cons of joining the race.

PROS

• Having the rare opportunity of doing a trail run. Baguio at that.
• Getting to read a book during a long land trip
• Maximizing the registration fee

CONS

• Getting tired with the trip. I just came from Baguio last week for the public interview of Chief Justice candidates. Just the thought of going there again was exhausting.
• Budget. Consider the unexpected expenses I recently had, I thought I should save up the money I’d use in my stay in Baguio for other needs.
• Potential injuries. I am preparing for The Bull Runner marathon in May so I cannot afford any injury before that and trail runs are really high risk.
• Running 22K would be short of my target 28K that week and doing 50K would not be a good preparation for the May marathon.

I considered going to Laguna for the Greenfield Sunset Run instead since it was closer and joining a race has already been part of my weekend routine. But I thought I’d get the same cons if I did that so I also did not go.

But even if there was no race for me this weekend, I still spent it running. Last Saturday, I did my speedwork in Amoranto Gym. I woke up at 6:00 am, completed an hour run with 10 rounds of interval runs in a track and field oval.

Last Sunday, I did my scheduled 3.5- hour run.

I ran the entire stretch of Sct. Limbaga from Kamuning area to Mother Ignacia, to Roces Ave back to Morato then to Kamuning Road to Anonas all the way to Xavierville Ave and Ateneo. After doing four rounds inside the Ateneo campus, I went back to Katipunan and entered University of the Philippines where I did my last 6.6 kilometers.

I loved the serenity inside the Ateneo Campus. I was the only one running. Although the heat of the sun was scorching, there were many parts of the campus that felt cool. The trees were providing enough shade and the silence allowed me to reflect on many things. It was the best point of my run aside from my last round in UP when I knew that I was close to achieving my target.

I was glad I did not give in to excuses in my head that would rationalize quitting.

Excuse #1: It was unbearably hot and I had no hydration with me

Counter: I knew I could get it from many stores along the way.

Excuse #2: I just finished a good run the day before so maybe I should rest and give my muscles a chance to recover.

Counter: I had enough time to recover from an hour run since I practically did not do anything than read and watch movies after.

My ultimate motivation was not just finishing a marathon, but stronger and faster than the first one. Therefore, I should train and rise above these thoughts plus knowing me, it will take a while before I recover from being frustrated if I gave up.

I was so proud of myself for choosing to go on. I wouldn’t trade that joy of completing a long run.

I treated myself with a bowl of lugaw with egg after and a stroll along UP University Avenue filled with sunflowers.

LOVING LOBBYING

The enactment of the Freedom of Information bill is close to becoming real. And when I think of everything we had to go through to get to this point of the advocacy, I feel like I’m running the last leg of a marathon when I hear my muscles screaming that they are so ready to give up while being overwhelmed with the excitement of crossing the finish line.

Going to the Senate four times a week for almost a month was not a joke. That meant more than an hour on the congested road to Pasay City from our office in Katipunan. We had to always explain our purpose to the security guards and wait in the freezing Senate gallery for hours until the renaming of the long list of schools and hospitals is finished and the FOI bill is tackled if ever it will be.

The advocacy started in the 12^th Congress so ATIN has certainly been through a lot in the legislative advocacy.

I remember the first time that the bill was scheduled to be sponsored in the Senate plenary and we decided to wear white shirts to show unity. But it was moved to the following day and the next day after and the next, until all of us decided to wear just any shirt because we already ran out of white shirts to wear.

There was also one time when we, almost 20 of us, paraded in the Senate lobby to run after the Senators to talk to them about the bill. When we failed to catch a Senator in the plenary or in the lobby, we would wait for him/ her at his/her office to make sure that he/she didn’t escape us.

Senate is part of the last leg of the advocacy. There are other stories on advancing the bill into law; from the day the network was formed, to when the bill was drafted, to those days of going to Congress to attend Technical Working Group meetings and plenary hearings. Consider the numerous ATIN meetings that focused mainly on coming up with strategies plus those position papers, letters of support, meetings, etc. just to push the bill forward. Not to mention the funds involved in this very risky effort.

Any organization that plans to engage in a legislative advocacy should seriously think about it because it requires full and deep commitment through and through. A great amount of patience and hope is necessary to survive the turmoil of dealing with the kind of legislature we have whose priority is either shaped by selfish ambitions or motivated by political inclination. It is also important for one to have the capacity to find joy in simple achievements or laugh about just anything. Otherwise, lobbying will snatch your sanity and you’ll find yourself miserable or cynical in the end.

The uncertainty and being not in control of most of the things that will make your effort successful can drive one crazy. The challenge is how to strategize well without compromising your principles. It is to be able to have a grip of what you believe in and not succumb to the temptation of playing the dirty game of politics and pleasing the legislators with whom much of your success lies. I have seen ATIN and its other partners kept its integrity in doing its work.

Though I count it a huge privilege that I am a part of this advocacy, I really would have wanted the bill passed long ago so that the nation did not have to go through the excruciating experience of this government’s glorious policy of secrecy.

The cruelty of this government and the unwavering passion of everyone involved in this effort made me love lobbying no matter how difficult and frustrating it has been. I embrace it with arms wide open and I am committed to give my all to carry it to the finish line.

The Access to Information Network and all its partners will run the race until the bill sees the light of day. There is no turning back, the gun start has long started and the difficult trails are behind us. We will go the extra mile if necessary. I can see the finish line from afar and we’re getting near it. We’re crossing it so soon.

The 14^th Congress is the finish line. I see nothing beyond.

RUNNING AND RALLYING

Nothing beats the feeling of crossing the finish line. Finishing strongly happens when muscles gain extra strength as soon as you get a glance of the finish line and you know that you no longer have to run beyond that.

That’s exactly what I felt when the Freedom of Information bill was passed on third reading by the Senate on December 14. I felt so close to the finish line I could see the imprints in the banner. I knew that we just entered the last leg of the advocacy but the roller coaster ride will continue.

Our mid-distance run began when the bill was first sponsored in the Senate. It could not be a long one given the very narrow opportunity before the Congress adjourns and not a short run considering the remaining stages we still had to go through.

I also knew that the run would not be easy and would need all the patience I earned my entire life. I remember calling the Senate everyday to inquire, if by any chance the bill would be tackled in the plenary or if anyone has reserved to interpellate and I would always get an indefinite answer.

UPHILLS

Until the most awaited yet most dreaded day came. Three Senators reserved to interpellate and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago was one of them. It was one of the most horrible days in the advocacy knowing how Senator Santiago could burden us with complex and unpredictable issues. Even if we were assured of the Senator’s support, it was not enough to cushion our fears.

The interpellation finally came. Sen. Santiago was surprisingly calm and friendly. She talked about the executive privilege, among others. And although she raised difficult questions, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano satisfactorily answered them.

Sen. Arroyo’s day came. He raised issues about the separation of powers and suggested that the bill should focus on the executive. I was exasperated with his concerns and was worried that if he decides to stick to these points, we would be in trouble because agreeing to him was as good as throwing the bill out the window. But Sen. Cayetano was able to convince Sen. Arroyo that while we could not accommodate his concerns, the Technical Working Group would review them.

And when I was about to bring out the champagne, Sen. Arroyo said he would continue his interpellation the next session. Meaning, I had to hold my breath for a few days more. Considering the time and the uncertainty about when his next interpellation would be, we could not help but worry.

It was at this juncture that we decided we should take the campaign a notch higher.

We launched a rally calling for the immediate passage of the bill. The Right to Know. Right Now! network was at the frontline of this effort. Almost 300 participants from various sectors were present. We marched from the Film Center to the Senate grounds. Every step signified our hope that the Senate would see the urgency of passing the bill. Staying under the heat of the sun was piercing but no one dropped their streamer or left their post. Everyone stood for hours until the good news came. The Senate promised on record that the bill would be passed on third reading on the first week of November.

INJURIES

Although we were assured of a milestone, we remained on guard, watching closely whether the Senate would keep their word and it did not. The session went on recess with the FOI still pending for approval on second reading. I thought we’d get to the finish line faster but I was wrong. We’ve had injuries. Various events cropped up including two super typhoons and the start of the budget hearing.

Time- pressed and frustrated. The network decided to launch a bigger rally. But the Maguindanao massacre happened.

At the time, when Congress had to focus on the massacre and the budget hearing was on the table, and the session was soon to go on a recess, everyone around me, including a part of me, were sending condolences and sympathy for a dying bill. I was hurting about what happened in Maguindanao and counted the FOI bill as one of its casualties. That voice called reality was yelling at me, telling me that the point of surrender has come. The injuries were too excruciating, the next mile would mean death.

I was sustained by the thought that if this advocacy were a race, there is no way I'd cling to any idea of quitting. Hope did not frustrate me.

Sen. Alan Cayetano informed us that Sen. Pimentel withdrew his interpellation, Sen. Arroyo decided not to continue his and the bill was passed on 2^nd reading.