By Mars G. Alison
Cebu Parklane International Hotel (CPIH) launched its three sporting events for this year –the Hunat Sugbu Tri-Bantayan on May 3, Hunat Sugbu 4 on June 22 and the Hunat Sugbu Triathlon on September 21.
CPIH general manager Cenelyn Manguilimotan explained during the press conference last Thursday that it was supposed to be just the Hunat Sugbu, a 21K and 12K run, and the Hunat Sugbu Triathlon, this time, in Argao, a southern town of Cebu, but they decided to add the Hunat Sugbu Tri-Bantayan as a fund raising activity to help the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda on Bantayan Island.
Because it is a benefit race, there will be no cash prize for the winners, however, Manguilimotan assures that there will be tokens and gift certificates aside from the trophies. All proceeds will go to those affected by Yolanda in Bantayan.
The CPIH general manager also assured that there will be no repeat of what happened in the Hunat Sugbu Triathlon in Oslob wherein the wrong winners were awarded.
If before they relied solely on the technical team, now Manguilimotan said they made an effort to be included in all aspects of the race.
“All lapses have been looked into. We have separate time monitoring for swim, bike and run,” Manguilimotan said.
Joel Baring, the race director for both triathlon in Bantayan and Argao, assured that he and his team will make sure that there will be no lapses and that they will deliver what needs to be delivered.
HUNAT SUGBU TRI-BANTAYAN
The Tri-Bantayan will be a 1-kilometer swim, 30.05-km bike and a 7.09-km run with the race route all set within the municipality of Bantayan.
Bantayan Island has three municipalities—Sta. Fe, Bantayan and Madridejos.
It will be the first time that a triathlon race is set in Bantayan as most races are concentrated in Sta. Fe.
Manguilimotan said that aside from deciding to help the Yolanda victims on the island, they have also acceded to the request of Bantayan Mayor Ian Christopher Gonzaga Escario to hold a triathlon race in his municipality.
She added that they are not expecting as many participants as the Oslob triathlon which gathered more than 400 triathletes. Manguilimotan added they’d be happy if they get just half of that number.
The race will start at 1 p.m. and will have the Male and Female Open; the Age-Group—18-29, 30-39, 40 to 49 and 50 years old and above; an All-Male Relay and a Mix Relay wherein each team must have at least one female member.
The top 3 overall will be declared as well as for the age-group categories and the relay. The biggest delegation will also get a trophy.
Registration is ongoing with the early bird registration to end on April 4 wherein interested participants get only to pay P1,500. Regular registration fee is pegged at P1,800. Deadline of registration will be on April 25.
Those interested can register online via www.hunatsugbu.com or at the CPIH.
Registration will not be refundable nor will it be transferable.
Land transportation will be provided by both CPIH and the Cebu province. A Suroy-Suroy sa Sugbu bus will take participants from CPIH to Hagnaya Port where a ferry will take them to Bantayan Island.
Manguilimotan said participants will have to shoulder the ferry fare though but another bus will meet them at the Sta. Fe Port and take them to the venue of the race.
Manguilimotan added that scheduled transportation will also be provided on the island from participants’ accommodation to the race venue. She urged to let them know so they can accommodate transportation request.
HUNAT SUGBU 4 AND HUNAT SUGBU TRIATHLON
Manguilimotan said another presscon will be held for these two other events but she said that they are already prepared for both events as well.
The Hunat Sugbu, which will be on its fourth year already, is done in honor of Manuel “Maning” Ting, the founding president of CPIH. It is a fund raising event as well and its proceeds will be used for a medical mission.
Instead of Ayala, the race will start and end at the Parkmall this time. It will be the first time that the race route will pass the final resting place of Maning, which is the Angelicum Gardens in Canduman, Mandaue City.
The Hunat Sugbu Triathlon, on the other hand, will now feature Argao. This event is the hotel’s thrust in promoting the countryside thus the change of venue per year.
