Ateneo2Ateneo2Ateneo: Our Batch Run to Celebrate Our Batch Reunion
by: Vicboy de Lima
The idea for the Ateneo2Ateneo2Ateneo batch run was first put forward by our classmate Ruben “Fards” Fajardo in June 2010. At that time, Allen Tolledo , a couple more Batch 83 runners and myself just finished a 7 km run from Ateneo de Naga University campus to the Ateneo de Naga High School campus as part of our 16-week training program for the Camsur Marathon. Fards strongly believed that a batch run would be a relaxing and refreshing way to celebrate our batch reunion which usually coincides with the Ateneo alumni homecoming scheduled every Dec 30.
The plan was for Batch 83 runners to run from the Ateneo de Naga University campus up to the Ateneo de Naga High School campus and then back to the 4 Pillars of the Ateneo de Naga University campus. Relaxing as the batch reunion would not just be about eating and drinking but would also include a wellness portion. Refreshing as this would be the first time for a batch to celebrate its reunion in such a way.
Given logistical considerations, this 14-K fun run was to be exclusively for members of the Ateneo de Naga HS Batch 1983.
Fast forward to December and the inaugural Ateneo2Ateneo2Ateneo almost did not happen for the year 2010. This was because a week before Dec 30, we found out (thru the Ateneo de Naga website) that there was a 5-K family fun run scheduled by Batch 85 (sponsoring batch for the 2010 Ateneo de Naga alumni homecoming) for the Ateneo alumni community on the same date and time slot as our batch run. Knowing this, we seriously considered canceling our batch run to allow our Batch 83 runners to commune with the bigger Ateneo alumni community and join the family fun run. But several Batch 83 runners pushed for the batch run to be implemented, displaying an admirable independent trait.
Thus, there was a need to come up with a consensus from the Batch 83 runners as what to do in the early morning hours of Dec 30, 2010. An equally admirable trait of our batch is its creative ability to come up with win win solutions to dilemmas it faces. And in this situation Batch 83 did not disappoint. On the afternoon before the Dec 30 run, Fards, Allen and Omar “Mercs” Mercurio presided over a meeting attended by 8 more classmates. Together, the 11 Batch 83 runners arrived at a compromise solution: Batch 83 runners can voluntarily join the 5K family fun run of the Ateneo alumni. Immediately after the 5K family fun run, these same Batch 83 runners will be joined by other Batch 83 runners in running 7 kilometers more to the Ateneo de Naga high school campus. In reaching the high school campus, the Batch 83 runners will hike 2 to 3 more kilometers to the house of Mercs for the dining & wining part of the reunion. A total of 14 kilometers, give or take a half a kilometer.
Everybody happy as this compromise allowed us to show our solidarity with the bigger Ateneo alumni community but at the same time allowing us to still celebrate our batch reunion via a batch run. Truly a win win solution.
Come 6am of Dec 30, 7 Batch 83 runners (Bobby Castilla, Ric Lozano, Ronald Hemady, Ed Balcueva, Jobel Belarmino, Fards and myself) were at the starting line of the 5k family fun run, joining several hundreds of Ateneo alumni runners. The gun start sounded and we were off to a fast run up Ateneo Avenue right at Elias Avenue, u turn at Plaza de Trese Marteres, running along Penafrancia Avenue, left at Sandejas Street, right at Jacob Sstreet, turn left at Liboton Street, turn left at Bagumbayan Avenue , and right at Ateneo Avenue and gunning for the Four Pillars of the Ateneo campus. It was a fast run as evidenced by our 5K time being less than 25 minutes.
After a few picture taking, these 7 runners were joined by 9 more Batch 83 runners (Allen, Moy Imperial, Butch Concon, Johan Botor, Bem Dychinco, Zosimo Ordas, Neal Nueca, Raoul Herras and Eric Zaens) for the 7K run up to Barangay Pacol where the Ateneo de Naga High School campus has been relocated. Sending us off with prayers was our Jesuit classmate Fr. Alex Badiola.
Providing motorcycle escort and hydration support along the full route were our classmates Ronel Gascon, Noel Aureus, Larry Sabio, Gil Doblon, Ferdinand Reyta, Jun Erfe, Lizardo Junio and Joel Tresvalles.
It took us roughly 45 minutes to finish the 7K uphill segment which passed thru the Barangays of Francia, San Felipe and Pacol to end on the foot of the St Ignatius statue inside the high school campus. From there, we hiked to Mercs house where the Vice Mayor of Buhi warmly received us with native culinary delights.
All 25 participants (runners and support crew ) received finisher shirts (some white, some orange). These orange shirts and white shirts were proudly worn by our classmates as they attended the alumni homecoming fellowship in the evening.
Looking back, the inaugural run of the Ateneo2Ateneo2Ateneo batch run is a special and fruitful experience for our Batch 83. In addition to the all important camaraderie experienced during the actual running, several important attributes were exhibited before and after : creativity, independence, and solidarity.
You can’t put a price on these values.
Thank you very much classmates for your enthusiasm. For the love of Batch 83. Beyond 2008.
