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)

A DAD FOR ALL SPORTS

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

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!