SPORTSWRITER JOINS 1ST TRIATHLON, ERASES 10 YEARS OF DOUBT

Sun Star Cebu.  ... Then two weeks before the Vaseline men Xterra Off-road triathlon series, I got a call from John Pages, our columnist and the Sports Association of Cebu (SAC) president, inviting me to be part of the All-Sun.Star relay team for the event last March 2 in Liloan. He asked me if I can be part of the relay team with him doing the 36K bike, fellow sportswriter Edri Aznar doing the 9.4K run and me doing the 1.5K swim leg.

I almost told him to just look for someone else because I do not have the stamina. But he told me to “just enjoy the experience.”

I had just two weeks to prepare. And I was to do a discipline I was weak at. But then I told myself, when will I overcome this weakness? I am already 33, and I’ve been submitting myself to this weakness for a long time. So I started to train. But with having a full-time job, being a hands-on mother and wife to my supportive husband, Alvin, regular training was almost next to impossible.

I decided to manage my time well. Everywhere I went, my swim wear was in my bag so whenever I had a chance, I would hit the pool. And then I was faced with another dilemma—where can I get an affordable trisuit? The price ranged from P6,000 to P12,000 and I’d rather buy milk formula for my kids with that amount.

Luckily, at the suggestion of triathlete Lorhiz Echavez-Lopez and Jonathan Maximo, a dad to triathletes, I went to a shop in Colon that sold it for just P2,000. Now that I had the attire down, all I had to worry about was actually doing the swim.

With just a few days left, I started having nightmares. I feared that I wouldn’t finish and disappoint my team. This is not volleyball where you can stop playing halfway and ask for a substitute. And it did not help that there were people actually betting on me to fail... Read more

PAGES: LANCE ARMSTRONG IS THE BIG C: BIG CHEATER

 

Published in Sun Star Newspaper on January 16, 2013 Wednesday issue
John Pages, Match Point columnist
Mike Limpag, Sports Editor


Oprah Winfrey has interviewed everybody famous from Michael Jackson to Charice to Barack Obama. But, to the 58-year-old billionaire who is considered “the world’s most influential woman,” there is no bigger TV sit-down than the one that will air tomorrow 10 a.m. (Philippine time) over Oprah.com.

Did he or did he not?

The answer is obvious. He did. He did inject drugs. He did lie. He did “pass” 500+ tests to never test positive of PEDs. He did harass and threaten anyone who questioned his “clean” life. Now we know: Lance Armstrong, once the most iconic and revered of human beings, is no chemical-free Ironman.

 

“It was like a world crashing on top of me,” said Oscar “Boying” Rodriguez, one LA’s biggest fans in Cebu. Boying has not only worn the yellow Livestrong band for a decade, he also wears Oakley, Giro and the Livestrong Edition Nike —Lance’s complete battle gear.

“At first, I refused to believe the allegations. Maybe because he had inspired a multitude of people, most especially cancer patients including a close relative of mine,” said Boying. Every one of Lance’s seven Tour de France wins, including his triathlon and mountain-bike triumphs, Boying followed. “I dreamt and imagined I was riding shotgun on a bike behind him! Then the USADA report came out. I was still hesitant to believe it. But when he was stripped of his titles and when Pat Mcquaid of UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale), the world governing body of which I am a member of (being an International Commissaire for MTB) confirmed the finding of USADA, it was a reality that slowly sunk in.”

Boying calls Lance’s fall a “crash.” But, ever his lifelong supporter, Boying adds, “I think he deserves a second chance!”

Chris Aldeguer, another lifelong biker and Lance fan, is less apologetic. The owner of Vellum Cycles, Chris knows the inner workings of the cycling community. He says that it’s no secret how most take PEDs.

“Maybe Lance was really the fastest guy in the Peleton but he certainly did not deserve any of the wins. It was right to strip him of his 7 Yellow Jerseys,” he says.

“I believe Lance totally mismanaged this crisis. People may forgive him if he admitted and apologized using PEDS during the Tour. Not only did he constantly deny, and lie about it, he attacked and threatened those who accused him. He was very arrogant about it. I believe this case hurts the Livestrong Foundation and the Cancer community even more than it damages the Sport of Cycling. His mainstream status brought this negativity in the limelight.”

True. If we look back in history, plenty of drug cheats were caught. Ben Johnson. Marion Jones. Barry Bonds is accused by everyone. But none of them carry a higher moral stature than Lance. Only now, when he’s got no helmet to cover his face, is he confessing to Oprah.

Jonathan “Maxi” Maximo agrees with Chris Aldeguer in how excruciating the 21-day, 3,360-km. event is that’s the Tour de France.

“Multi-stage cycling is such a difficult race that if you want to contend for the podium year in year out, you have to be like Incredible Hulk!” says Maxi, whose son Igi is a national-caliber junior cyclist.

“How about for TdF organizers, who make the race extremely hard, to put up separate categories for dopers and non-dopers? That will level the playing field!” Maxi joked.

“Seriously, Armstrong’s admission will be good for cycling in the long run. It has opened our eyes to the reality. In fairness to LA, I support his Livestrong Foundation. I had the opportunity to race in Seattle for the Livestrong Challenge. I believed in their cause. It has helped my mom battle and survive the big C.”

This is a sad day for sports. It’s a sad day for honesty.



For with Lance, though he’s helped raise over $500 million to fight the Big C, he will be forever remembered for another Big C:

Big Cheater.

PHILIPPINE FOOTBALL CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

Maxi with FIFA President Sepp Blatter

and AFC Bin Hammam

 

PHILIPPINE FOOTBALL CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

December 7, 2007

Sofitel Philippines

 

TRI, WHY NOT?

(click to enlarge)

Published in The Freeman Newspaper on August 8, 2012 Wednesday issue

by Ana Patricia "Ica" Maximo, Contributor

Emmanuel V. Villaruel, Sports Editor

CEBU, Philippines - Crossing the finish line has always been every athlete's dream. I had finally accomplished my dream last Saturday and it was priceless.

Finishing the Alaska IronKids Triathlon 2012 really meant something big to me. It was really an amazing opportunity for me to join an international competition and I was lucky to be part of it. We had to swim 300 meters in the open sea, bike for 10 km around Punta Engaño and run 2 km inside Shangrila Mactan Beach Resort non-stop! Being a triathlete is no joke. But when you enjoy doing it, it can be a lot easier.

Ever since school started this year, being a Grade 7 student of Sacred Heart School- Hijas de Jesus has been hard because I had to balance my time for both my studies and training with swimming, cycling and running. But with the support of my school, I was able to find more time to practice my sport.

The most important people that have always been there for me in good and in bad times, support me in my decisions, and will always love me no matter what will happen, are my parents, Maxi and Sheila. I would never be able to survive without them and of course to my bike guru YKK, coaches Tito, Ronald, and Sherwin as well as Mdm. Balicoco and my teachers including Mr. Trani. I am very blessed to have such supportive parents, coaches and teachers to help me improve my sport and studies.

Aside from sweating it out with triathlon, the experience has also taught me values like friendship. I got to meet other triathletes from other countries the same age as I am that came from other places and have realized that this competition was their first time to swim in the open sea.

Discipline and commitment were also the other values that were instilled in me. When you practice the value of discipline, you will surely accomplish what you would want to achieve. These are the important values that we should always keep in mind.

I would like to encourage my classmates and friends to try out this sport aside from being in the computer for hours. We should have a healthy lifestyle so that we could enjoy and be active even though we would already be at our 80's or 90's. So I challenge all of you to be part of any sport that you would always enjoy and have fun.

Oh! I can't wait for my next event. (FREEMAN)

ENTHUSIASTS ASSERT CYCLING IS STILL A SAFE SPORT

Published in Sun Star Newspaper on August 6, 2012 Monday issue
by Cheska D. Geli, Staff Writer
Mike Limpag, Sports Editor

CYCLING enthusiasts hope that the unfortunate incident in the Cobra Ironman Triathlon won’t spur fear among fans of the sport.

Although the local cycling and triathlon community are grieving the death of relay participant Ramon Igaña Jr., they hope that it won’t make the public think that cycling is a dangerous sport.

An autopsy released by organizers revealed that Igaña had an acute pulmonary embolism, which caused him to lose control.

“I beg to disagree with some stating that uneven roads at the SRP had anything to do with the accident,” said Ironman local coordinator Oscar Rodriguez.

Rodriguez said that the incident will make athletes more wary about their conditioning, training and probably experience in the different challenges offered by sporting competitions and cited the case of Fernando Zobel de Ayala.

“Although he had a serious accident that could have cost his life a few months back, he chose to race again in Cebu. If I want a race without challenges, then I should ride an indoor bike or run on a treadmill but then again, I could die of a heart attack if I over exert myself,” said Rodriguez.

Jonathan Maximo, father of junior cyclist Igi Maximo, also said that from the narration of the marshal who saw Igaña go pale, it wasn’t the road conditions that caused it.

“It was his body failing on him, not due to his bike handling skills or the conditions of the road kay walay maayong siklista kung ang imong gibati mao na to,” said Maximo.

Maximo had known Igaña since their high school days and he knows that he had prepared for the event.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on August 06, 2012.

LIMPAG: HOW A FOOTBALL CALENDAR CAN HELP ABOITIZ CUP

Published in Sun Star Newspaper on June 18, 2012 Monday issue
by Mike Limpag, Sports Editor & Columnist, Fair Play

THERE was a time in Cebu football, when the Aboitiz Cup was the only thing that mattered and all the rest played second fiddle.

That is no longer true as it has become one of the casualties of the clash of schedules of organizers in Cebu football and teams, forced to choose between a festival and the Aboitiz Cup, prefer to join the two-day tourneys instead of Cebu’s longest running football tournament.

Worse, some teams compromise the quality of their games by joining two events in a day, which led to Paref-Springdale getting banned by the old CFA board for three years. (That of course, is another story).

One of the plans of the new board--the one whose recognition is being put on hold by a mysterious complainant in the PFF—is to bring back the prestige of the tournament and there’s a simple way of doing that.

A football calendar where the Aboitiz Cup is the centerpiece event and the rest of the footie festivals are scheduled around it.

The rest of the regular annual football tournaments—the Cebu City Olympics, the Milo Olympics, the Cesafi, Sinulog and Thirsty Cups—have regular schedules that can be easily inputted in such calendar. And if there’s a clash, it’s a matter of adjusting the dates.

There should be no pissing contests where one organizer dares a team, “just choose which one you will join” because that’s what got us here in the first place.

There’s another plan, this one coming from the Aboitizes themselves, that I hope will be revived by the new board.

Back in 2010 and in 2009, before the start of the tournament, the organizers met sports editors for help on marketing their tournament. They also wanted their website promoted--they wanted players to tweet, post news in their Facebook accounts, link fotos and the whole nine yards.

Social media, of course, was what helped make the Azkals big and organizers of the Aboitiz Cup were smart enough to recognize such power before the Azkals became mainstream.

In 2010, I told them that the website would have been a huge help in 2009 if only there were regular updates. But they said they already addressed such problem, spending hundreds of thousands of pesos for a system--including hardware--that would allow field officials to just input the data after a game and voila, you have updates.

Sadly, that too, didn’t happen and that’s something that I hope would change this year. The website, sans data, is a waste of cyberspace.

So, how does one get the data and how many men do you need to get such data for a huge event like the Aboitiz Cup that lasts for months?

I know the perfect guy to ask and unless he’s busy supporting his son’s budding cycling career, I hope former president Jonathan Maximo can give the new board tips in gathering data. He did it then, that means it can be done again.

CONTEST. There’s also another idea I threw at Maxi a few years back and it could help spur interest for Cebu football in the social media—get the school papers involved. By the time the Aboitiz Cup gets rolling, the school papers will be busy with their first edition and getting them to write about their school matches would be easy since it’s part of their job.

Students these days, they post everything they do—and don’t do—online, so a few posts about their school’s Aboitiz Cup campaign could lead to a few copycats and so on.

There could even be a contest for the student writers and photojournalists and what’s the one prize that could spur them to do their best—an all-expense trip, and a media pass, for the next Azkals home game?

(www.cebufootball.blogspot.com)

WATCH IGIMAX RISING

(click to enlarge)

Published in Sun Star Newspaper on Feb. 8, 2012 Wednesday issue
by Iste S. Leopoldo, Staff Writer
Marian Baring, Sports Editor this issue

CEBU’S rising junior cyclist Luis Miguel “Igimax” Maximo of YKK Bikes joins the Philippine National U-23 and junior teams to represent the country in the 19th Asian Junior Cycling Championships starting today until Feb. 18 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sixteen-year-old Igimax is the youngest member of the Philippine National Cycling team and the youngest RP delegate to the Asian Cycling Championships.

“Actually, he is the only junior cyclist from Cebu, Visayas and Mindanao who made it to the Philippine National Cycling Team,” Jonathan Maximo, his father, said.

Igimax, who is a graduating student of Paref Springdale, has an advocacy to prove that an athlete can also be an effective student, as long as he knows time management. He wants to prove that no matter how hard the demands of being an elite athletecan be, quitting school was never an option.

“In spite of the demands of being a member of the national team, like the need to go to Manila to train with the team, going back and forth from Cebu to Manila many, many times, he never quit school,” Jonathan said.

Igimax will depart on Feb. 11 to recon the race venue—its terrain, climate, wind conditions and more. The road race will be on Feb. 16 in Kuala Lumpur.

This is Igimax’s first international stint since becoming a member of the RP team last December 14, 2011.

Igimax is still eligible to compete in next year’s 2013 Asian Cycling Championships.

“At first, he only dreamt of being included in the National Pool so that he can get a more serious, high-level training in Manila. He surprisingly made it to the Philippine National Cycling Team starting December 2011 at 16 years old,” Jonathan said.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on February 08, 2012.

STEPS TAKEN TO SETTLE FOOTBALL TIFF

Published in Sun Star Newspaper on Feb. 6, 2012 Monday issue
by Cheska D. Geli, Staff Writer
Mike Limpag, Sports Writer

STEPS have been taken to resolve the dispute between the Paref-Springdale and Cebu Football Association (CFA).

Both parties met yesterday to discuss CFA’s decision to slap Springdale with a three-year ban after the latter pulled all of its teams out of the Aboitiz Cup.

Both parties were adamant in disclosing what went on in the meeting but both confirmed that the meeting was part of the efforts to settle the issue amicably.

Spingdale was represented by its football club head coach Mario Ceniza, accompanied by some parents, while the CFA was represented by its president Richard Montayre and board members Eleazar Toledo and Eugene Ynclino.

"It was okay. (What we are doing is) for the good of football," Toledo said.

Ceniza mentioned that the meeting went well as both parties were given a chance to air out their sides.

"It went fine. We were given a chance to voice out our concerns," said Ceniza.

Former Cebu Football Association President Jonathan Maximo is happy with this development to settle the matter on the banning of Paref Springdale.

"It's good. I'm happy with the development. As a previous head of the CFA board, it saddens me that such issues had to happen," said Maximo.

However, he is positive that based on the reactions and comments from people, the issue will be resolved.

"I'm sure a solution can be found. We are just one group under one sport," said Maximo.

“At the end of the day, we need to go back to the reason why we are here and that’s to let the sport of football grow,” he added.  Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on February 06, 2012.

MAXIMO VOWS TO HELP PROMOTE CYCLING IN CEBU

Published in The Freeman Newspaper on December 30, 2011 Friday issue
by Caecent Noot Magsumbol, Staff Writer
Manny Villaruel, Sports Editor

CEBU, Philippines - Award-winning Cebuano sportsman Jonathan “Maxi” Maximo has stepped up his effort for the development of cycling in Cebu.

Maximo said he is willing to help the Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) in putting cycling in the mainstream of its programs for next year.

During their initial discussion with CCSC officials, the South Road Properties (SRP) is being eyed as cycling hub, particularly at the SRP access road near Pond A beside the creek that passes under the bridge all the way to Sugbu Center.

“This is a very ideal place for cycling for we can have control of the road from vehicles and pedestrians,” said Maximo in a CCSC executive director Brando Velasquez yesterday.

Maximo and his group is set to survey the area within the week.

In light of this, Maximo is requesting the CCSC to coordinate with the SRP management so they could get access of the road all the way to Sugbo Center.

Should everything turn out well, SRP will serve as the main venue for different cycling events in the future as well as training ground for Cebuano cyclists (FREEMAN)

A DAD FOR ALL SPORTS

CASAFI TO TAP NEW MANAGERS FOR FOOTBALL, VOLLEYBALL

MAXI MAXIMO: A DAD FOR ALL SPORTS

Published in Cebu Daily News June 20, 2010 Sunday issue
by Mars G. Alison, Correspondent
Rick Gabuya, Sports Editor

It is easy to assume that an athlete could cope better if his family is also into sports.

Certainly an advantage, but also very challenging, according to Jonathan “Maxi” Maximo.

Maxi, 43, is not only a former varsity member of the University of San Carlos (USC) football team, but also sat as the chairman of the Cebu Football Association (CFA) for one term, which spanned four years.

To say that he influenced his three children to get into sports is an understatement. For this athletic dad is his children’s inspiration.

As a father, Maxi said it is a challenge to let your children play whatever sport they want especially when you are an athlete yourself.

“Somehow, as a father, you will always have an influence in their choice of sports because kids normally follow their dads but eventually they will find what they love so you have to let your children experience other sports. Bottom line is you give them your full support,” Maxi said.

This is why Maxi had no complaints when Igi shifted to biking and even accompanied his son to training and competitions.

“The feeling is different when you are in the background but I enjoy the moment and do not mind all the preparations. I get to travel, learn new things and meet other parents,” he said.

SPORTS AND LIFE

Maxi has always loved sports and competition so he encouraged his family to be sports oriented.

His wife Sheila, 44, also used to play soccer baseball for St. Theresa's College (STC) during her high school days.

“My children are so blessed to have him as a father because di jud sila ma-ing-ana if it weren't for him. He is a very good motivator. He brings out the best in them,” she said.

She added that Maxi has asked her to call his attention whenever she feels he’s pushing their children too much. Because for Maxi, life is a huge sports arena where challenges lurk in every nook and corner.

“It is better that they lose in a tournament rather than in life,” he would say.

But as much as he wants his children to excel in sports, Maxi said he’d rather want them to prioritize their education.

“There is no compromise in that, studies come first. They know that they should be a good student first before becoming a good athlete. They can always go back to sports after their studies,” Maxi said.

MESSAGES

For this special day for fathers, Maxi's kids want their dad to know how grateful they are to have him as their father.

His eldest daughter Ina, 18, is a football varsity of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila, where she is taking up Occupational Therapy.

“Dad, words cannot express how grateful I am to call you my dad. Like a pot, I started out as a clay, lifeless and sloppy. Then just like the pot maker, you gathered me up and molded me, shaped me and tried to perfect my imperfections. You exposed me to the fire so that I may be strong and durable enough to stand the cruelty of the world alone. As I went through the gruelling process of becoming a pot you were always there. Your hands guiding me and ever ready to catch me if I fall. You have done a wonderful job in raising me, Igi and Ica and a great husband to mom as well. I want you to know that everything I do and achieve is for you and mom:) I love you so much. Thank you for being my dad. Happy father's day!” …Ina

FROM FOOTBALL TO CYCLING

His only son Igi, 15, has shifted from playing football for Paref Springdale since first grade to cycling, wherein this early, he is already a back-to-back junior champion in the 2010 Philippine Premiere Cycling League (PPCL).

“Dad, first of all, happy Father's Day! Thank you for your support in everything I do. Because of you I have achieved so much at such a young age. One particular aspect is what we have accomplished with my cycling. If it wasn't for you I wouldn't be where I am today. I believe it is because of you that I am able to pedal harder and stronger than I ever thought I could. Dad, I love you just the way you are. Having you as my dad is the best thing that ever happened to me. Thank you and I love you!...Igi

STAR TRIATHLETE IN THE MAKING

Maxi's youngest daughter Ica, 10, may not be into any competitive sports yet but she has expressed interest in triathlon while she practices running, biking and swimming.

“Hi dad, happy Father's Day! You've done so many things to me and our family. Dad, you are a great dad to me. And you were always there for me. Like when I'm down, you cheer me up. When I'm having trouble with my homework, you help me get the correct answer. Thanks for being great, I love you and happy Father's Day!...Ica

EX-CFA HEAD PUTS UP RUNNING PROGRAM

FOR THIS FAMILY RUNNING TIME IS BONDING TIME

Published in the January 10, 2010 issue of Cebu Daily Newspaper

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/sports/view/20100110-246508/For-this-family-running-time-is-bonding-time

by Jonas Panerio, Correspondent

Rick Gabuya, Sports Editor

FOR all the intensity that is sure to envelop the prestigious Cebu City Marathon which kicks off early this morning, there is a refreshing concept that one family will be trying to imbibe into the event and it is, “A family that runs together arrives at the finish line together.”

Such is the running motto of the Maximo family as they wake up early today and participate in the first ever staging of the event. Headed by Jonathan “Maxi” Maximo, former president of the Cebu Football Association, he along with his wife Sheila and their three kids, 18-year old Ina, 14-year old Igi and 10-year old Ica, will not only be delighting themselves in the thrill of an early morning run but more so in the family bond that they forge as they share their passion for running.

Maxi and Ina, a varsity football player at the University of Sto. Tomas in Manila, will be running the half-marathon, a 21-kilometer stretch that the former has called in jest, the “Half-Mary.” The rest of the Maximo family will be running the five kilometer distance.

“I started running in 2008 and I have always tried to get my family to try it. You can really see the benefits of running but in this case, the family bonding is even more important. I'm just so delighted that all of them are running today,” said Maximo who informed that it was in December of last year where they all finally decided to go all in for the event.

DIFFERENT DISTANCES

Ina, who has been into football ever since she was a kid, will be trying to utilize the endurance that she has built playing the sport into finishing the grueling distance. The saving grace is that her dad will be right by her side every step of the way and her family will be cheering her on at the finish line.

“The challenge is there and I wanted my daughter to experience her first half-marathon in her hometown where she has family to cheer her on,” Maxi added.

He also said that his wife's foray today will be her first try at the 5K distance, where she plans to run the first three kilometers and walk the rest of the way. Ica, his youngest daughter and a student at the Sacred Heart School-Hijas, is into ballet but is also into running. Ica added that she plans to finish just ahead of her mom and hopefully not get lost.

Igi on the other hand, a football player at the PAREF-Springdale, is expected to run just ahead of her mom and sister and wait at the finish line, to take pictures of the family.

Maxi also shared this thought which he hopes will inspire other families to run together in future events, “I hope that through this event, people will see the bright side of exercise. The miracle isn't that we finished. The miracle is that we had the courage to start.” /Correspondent Jonas Panerio

TEAM MAXIMO SIGNS UP FOR RACE

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on January 08, 2010.
Mike Limpag, Sports Editor
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/team-maximo-signs-race

(L-R): Sheila (5K), Ina (21K), Ica (5K), Igi (5K) and Maxi (21K)

Jonathan Maximo
http://www.pabolfc.com/

TEAM Maximo of PaBolFC is indeed running for Cebu City’s public... roads!

We have beaten the deadline and there is no more turning back.

We are dead set for the most anticipated running event this year, the Cebu City Marathon 2010. And we will finish the race!

I’m so delighted that the entire family is into running now, an activity that not only benefits your health but can also be used as your bonding time among your loved ones.

A family that runs together... arrives at the finish line!

This sporting event should be fully supported by the entire Cebuano community. If others travel to other places to join marathons, there is no reason why we should not join our very own local event. Ato ni bay!

Ina, my 18-year-old daughter, who is now studying in Manila, wants to come home and experience this sporting extravaganza.

She wants to run her first 21K not in Manila, not even abroad, but in her hometown. The family members and her friends will be waiting for her when she crosses the finish line. Cool.

Fred Lebow, who started the now world-famous NY Marathon, once said, “In running, it doesn’t matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, ‘I have finished.’ There is a lot of satisfaction in that.”

As a parting shot, let me share this thought: “The miracle isn’t that we finished. The miracle is that we had the courage to start. And if I were a resident of Cebu, I should not let this moment pass. Let’s all join and enjoy the Cebu City Marathon!!! See you at the finish line.”

So what are you waiting for? Apil na ta!