By LIWAY M. YPARRAGUIRRE

THERE are many young children who are talented in athletics but are ‘unequipped.’ For starters, they don’t have the right running shoes or rubber shoes (very expensive), vitamins and right food or diet to help them endure the rigors of training… and later to compete.

What keeps them in the sport perhaps is simply their love to run and to compete.

This again I saw during the PD’s (PSSupt. Isagani Nerez) Marathon 2007 last Saturday morning. (This was actively supported by the Pangasinan PNP Press Corps Inc. led by President Violy Valdez-Ferrer).

It’s noteworthy to mention the participation of the young high school students from Umingan National High School (13 runners), Anda town, and the young athletes from the Caloocan Sur (Binmaley) Elementary School (some if not all of them wore slippers but they all finished the 3-kilometer distance for 6-12 years old).
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Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. told the provincial employees last Monday they will have sports activities to keep them fit, healthy, happy and to foster camaraderie among the employees.
With this declaration, this column would like to think that Gov. Espino will also give much attention to our athletes especially to those being sent by the province to competitions outside Pangasinan.
But please, please sir, no boxing for young tykes. Aside from the beating their young bodies receive during the training, naalog ang kanilang ulo. They all can’t be ‘Manny Pacquiao.’
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There were 300 participants in the PD’s Marathon, some came from Tagaytay (Rizal), La Union, Ilocos Norte and Baguio City.
Winners in the 3-kilometer category (for 6-12 years old and 60 years old (retirees) and above were: Boys division-Mark Anthony Brioso of Umingan National High School (champion), Marlon Caasi of Anda town, Marvin Cecista of UNHS, Eric Orlanda of Anda (first-third runners-up); Girls division: Billy Jean Memprado of UNHS (chamption), Danica Divina, Rachel Ann Corpuz and Vicky Barrozo of Caloocan Sur Elementary School (runners-up);
Retirees division: Johnny Cruz (champion); Dario Bernardino, Rodolfo Osita and Delia Jimenez (runners-up). Winners in the 5-kilometer category (female) were Marlyn Dariano of UNHS (champion), Beverly Basilio, Mary Grace Baniqued and Mary Ann Baniqued (runners-up); male division: Jackson Casipit (champion), Willie Baillo, PO1 Rodelio Casula of the Anda Police Station, and John Casilgo (runners-up); 10-kilometer (male): Private First Class Mamerto Corpuz of the Philippine Army (champion), Kevin Areglado, Adonis Libaton, and Robino Javier (runners-up).
Joel Balolong of Bombo Radyo Dagupan received an special award for being the only finisher in the 5-kilometer among the media practitioners who participated.
They all received their medals and cash prizes from Col. Nerez and Gen. Leopoldo Bataoil.
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The Pangasinan PNP Press Corps Inc. will have its induction program on July 11, 2007. Guest of honor and speaker will be Gov. Espino with Gen. Leopoldo Bataoil as inducting officer. Col. Nerez will give a message.
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First wave of re-shuffle at the police provincial command. Police Supt. Bernardo Reamon is the new Police Provincial Director for Operations; Supt. Tito Dacpano (Human Resource branch chief), Supt. Perfecto Pagador (logistics), Supt. Policarpio Cayabyab (PCR),
Most likely to be the Provincial Intelligence division chief (I heard) is Supt. Amando Lagiwid, and his probable successor as group director of the 106th Provincial Mobile Group is Supt. Romeo ‘Bong’ Caramat