SPORTY MAYOR

Sporty mayor

SPORTS EYE 
By Raffy T. Uytiepo (The Freeman) Updated April 8, 2014 

I took a week-long sojourn to Maasin City in Southern Leyte for a little rest but ended up climbing the mountain shrines. Yes, the majestic views of the hills especially in Hanginan, Fatima and Jalleca were just irresistible.  Despite my injury, plantar and Achilles, I still managed to reach the top everytime, especially the one at Jalleca Hills, the tallest shrine in the country with 300 steps and 104 meters above sea level.  Just before leaving, I dropped by at City Hall to visit the city’s mayor, Maloney Samaco, undoubtedly a sportsman in his own right.  Mayor Maloney may not look athletic but he’s been supporting Maasin City’s sports programs. He is also responsible for the city’s hosting of numerous sports activities and national events. Just recently, Maasin City hosted the ABAP Inter-City Boxing Tournament won by Bago City.  Last year, Mayor Maloney staged the city’s first triathlon. Maasin City has also conducted several fun and trail runs while also staging cycling events. In fact, my fellow Freeman columnist JV Araneta has organized cycling events there. Chess is also a favorite sport of Mayor Maloney who said since he was frail and sickly during his younger days, he took to chess which does’nt require too much physical efforts. Oh by the way, Mayor Maloney has participated in several runs in Cebu City.  He even ran in the Cebu City  Marathon but only in the 5K side  together with our very own Mayor Mike Rama. Mayor Maloney, then vice mayor, recalled that he was not so interested when I offered to organize the first fun run here 15 years ago.  With running and triathlon starting to become popular here, Mayor Maloney plans to do more events. Come August, Maasin will hold it’s second triathlon.  Keep the good work Mayor!