Iloilo Marathon 2025: My Unspeakable (Prologue)

 

Did I not see the signs?

I was on the same flight with one (so coincidentally named!) early morning of January 17, 2025. Ha-ha!

With Medal of Valor awardee and senatoriable
retired Marine Col. Ariel Querubin

Then, I was fetched by a cherub-looking hotel transport service driver who couldn't be missed because of my screaming name. *guffaws*

With Sir Armel

Represent the spirit or will in the wheels.

Protect what belongs to God.

Bless.

These are the jobs of cherubim, the seraphs of the second highest order of the ninefold celestial hierarchy. My brief encounter with these "angels in human form" handed me overflowing energy and good vibes upon setting foot in the City of Love. 

This is a delayed epiphany as I now pen about Iloilo Marathon 2025 which was held on January 19, Sunday. 

PROLOGUE

The official kickoff of this pre-Dinagyang Festival event for me was the race kit pick-up at Shops at Atria Activity Center before 5:00pm after my day one DIY city tour, which I'll be narrating in trickles pretty soon. At this point, the spotlight would be solely on my eleventh marathon. 

The claiming didn't take long. (INSERT: I returned to this site for my lunch the next day and saw that the organizers mounted additional visually appealing backdrops for the runners' photo-ops. 😂) 

REVERT: Afterwards I did a recon of the different shops at the hub before going back to Seda which only took a two-minute walk. I smiled. Everything was on course. I would surely have ample time to ease off in preparation for my first evening sked. I eagerly anticipated this pre-marathon happening since my tummy was eyeing to savor Iloilo's dishes which earned them the prestigious title of UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. 

A two-hour rest was what I needed to fully experience a night life in this highly urbanized city at 7:45pm. 

I quickly checked the different food kiosks to see whether they had what I wanted. All the local flavors were available at the venue, but seeing KBL (Kadyos, Baboy, Langka not Kilusang Bagong Lipunan [eeew!😝]) in Sabor Ilonggo booth didn't make me hesitate. 

Pronto! I had to taste this KBL which is a dish of pork, pigeon peas, and unripe jackfruit. 

KBL was palatable! The hot soup was ideal for the cold windy night. Pairing it with kinilaw na tanigue (fish ceviche), I had my protein loading once more. Perhaps I could have chosen a different beverage if I were a brewski buff. Hahaha.

As publicized, live bands (in plural form) would provide entertainment. Well, only one performed on stage though. *inhales* Actually I could already hear it playing while I was still at the hotel, so I knew that its setlist was reggae. My ears were happy. I like this music genre and the performers convincingly let me stay. Ilonggos are good singers! 

Tarrying likewise meant that I had to have another round of protein intake. Holy cow! I consumed six (!!!) sticks of barbecue scallops! This was akin to pigging out! Strolling farther was vigorously waving so I could burn some calories after the band ended its gig. 

Upon my exit from the race village I saw this rotonda in front of the hotel. I went near the structure and learned that it is a replica of an old chimney from a muscovado mill as a reminder of Atria’s historic past.

And while I was at the roundabout, I heard drumbeats. It was already past 10:00pm. I knew that it's a rehearsal for the Dinagyang Festival which is on January 24-26. I followed the source and I silently rejoiced upon witnessing how these locals prepare with gusto for the celebration. 

The drumbeats were the missing rhythmic accompaniment to my finally trying a Dinagyang dancer costume at the National Museum of the Philippines in Iloilo City. The beautiful fusion of sounds had my heart beating excitedly and wildly. 

At 10:45pm I retired to my room. Having not slept since January 16, I made all the necessary conditioning to be in a deep slumber. Saturday's itinerary would still be a city tour so I need to refuel. 

Fast forward to my second evening at the race village for my dinner, a chance of winning the raffle draw and entertainment, I saw that the physical set-up for the marathon had begun. 

This reminded me that D-Day was six hours away. I supposed this was the reason why I returned to Sabor Ilonggo and resorted to carb loading-cum-binge eating. LOL! 

My dinner was comprised of four dishes, one of which was definitely new to me. I am referring to native chicken binakol. 

The taste of the soup was unique and delicious. If not for this write-up, I wouldn't discover the secret ingredient which made this recipe extra flavorful. Based on my googling, chicken binakol is tinolang manok (chicken ginger soup) with a twist because of the coconut juice. Dinuguan (pork blood stew), bicol express and kinilaw na tanigue (again!) had me increasing my initial 1/2 cup of rice to 1.5 cups. Hala Bira! Piyestang-piyesta talaga! *burps*

As for the band, it was the same on stage. Nothing changed much with its repertoire; hence I left early. On my way out I passed by more installed booths and the finish arc. 

 

I planned to nap before my set alarm at 11:15pm. This was my coffee schedule. Caffeine has been my trusted buddy every marathon. 

Did I doze off? No. I unsaved the alarm and went out 25 mins earlier for my stimulant. Unexpectedly, my poor memory struck! Upon seeing sardines pasta on the menu, I ordered it. I would eat it with my grande hot caffe mocha. Perfect combo, isn't it?

Obviously it slipped my mind that the flag-off is at 1:00am; however, I still took solids at 11:30pm when it should only be until 10:00pm to have the three-hour digestion. Foolish me! I did regret being a pasta lover for seconds. Waaaaaaaa! Now, I had to brace myself for the worst scenario. 

To be continued...

Preview of Iloilo Marathon 2025: My Unspeakable (Dominant Narrative)