Two years of being held captive indoors because of the pandemic, the Trail Walk organized by UP Visayas, an event of the 2022 UPV and Miagao Friendship Day, drew an excited crowd on May 31, 2022.
Because the province is still under Alert Level 1, the organizers had to limit the number of participants and had to turn down those who still wanted to register after the registration was closed.
Over a hundred participants showed up promptly by the entrance of the UPV Nature Trail before 6:30 AM for the checking of race bibs and short orientation.
UPV Chancellor Clement Camposano and Vice-Chancellor for Administration John Lorenz Belanio led the UPV officials who joined the trail walk. Meanwhile, Miagao Vice-Mayor Carmelo Nochete and Municipal Administrator John Nocal led the Miagao LGU participants.
The trail spanned 2.5 kilometers with sloping hills, forested areas, glades, and a small brook crossing, ending at the UPV covered court.
Trail Walk lead organizer Lyncen Fernandez said that she thought about how to come up with an event, which is friendly for beginners considering that many employees have been inactive during the last two years, while at the same time satisfy the racing bugs of some UPV and Miagao employees who are more athletic. Thus, it became a hybrid event wherein those who want to run may do so, while those who just want to enjoy the trail may take their time, appreciating the safe passages inside the campus.
The first ten participants to reach the finish line were given token prizes. Of particular note were Mr. Rufino Tomaquin, age 54 and Prof. Pepito “Sonny” Fernandez, age 58 who are the most senior among the winners and placed 2nd and 5th respectively. They are both from UPV.
Other winners are: Jan Mark Muyong (1st, Miagao LGU), Pavi Jan Sardiñola (3rd, Miagao LGU), Jay Nuevaespaña (4th, UPV), Mary Li Nulada (6th, UPV), Pojer Galorport (7th, Miagao LGU), Herbert Nalagay (8th, UPV), Rosalie Piccio (9th, UPV), and Rodgie Sablaon (10th, Miagao LGU).
In the spirit of fun, three Special awards were also given. For each of them, one was given to UPV and one for the LGU. These awards are The Early Bird Award, in appreciation of those who were the first to arrive at the starting line; The Most Senior Award, given to the most senior participant excluding those who already won in the first 10 to finish, and the The “Ang Hindi Sumuko Award,” for those who crossed the finish line last.
“Kanami gid sang trail (the trail is very beautiful),” said Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor for Administration Prof. Frediezel G. De Leon who was among those who joined the event.
For his part, Municipal Administrator John Nocal said that, “It was a fun-filled event, giving us time to relax and commune with nature.”
