In the early morning of February 15, 2015, unstoppable octogenarian Rogelio C. Ynzon finished the PhilHealth Run Quezon City 10k leg in 1 hour and 23 minutes but was not satisfied with his pace. And the reason? Not the light rain but he was slowing his pace so his daughter can catch up with him.

Daddy Roger is the oldest runner among the 9,987 participants in the recent PhilHealth 2nd Simultaneous Nationwide Run NCR leg, another feather on his cap. A Philippine veteran, retired Colonel, US-trained ranger, Airborne and Gold Cross Awardee, Daddy Roger said that he participates in marathon and running events not because of the prize. “I run for my physical fitness,” he stresses.

Born February 2, 1930 in Escalante City, Negros Occidental, the 85-year-old PhilHealth Lifetime member is still energetic and healthy. He trains in the vast compounds of Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City, running 8-10 kilometers thrice a week, and the weather never stops him from being active. On extreme weather conditions, he has his reliable treadmill at home.

“Wala na akong ginagawa kundi ang pagtakbo,” he laughingly narrated. He started running in 1984 but since his retirement in 1987, he focused on running and joined the Runnex Executive Runners Club of the Philippines - an executive runners club both for locals and foreigners. It is here where he was trained to run a marathon, a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres. He could not count how many events he has joined, but he has his collection of completion certificates and medals to show off.

He was reading Manila Bulletin when he noticed PhilHealth’s 2nd simultaneous run ad. He informed his daughter, Lori, that he wanted to participate and even went to PhilHealth Local Health Insurance Office in Quezon City to register.

Daddy Roger observed that PhilHealth Run was organized and the participants are disciplined. He noticed that there was no litter in the area and there were hydration stations in strategic areas. “Madaming hydration station na kailangan ng mga runners especially ng mga nag 20K. Pero madami ring nagse-selfie lalo na sa U-turn ng 5 at 3K,” Lori wittingly said.

“Dati may sinalihan ako na 87 ang oldest runner pero 82 pa lang ako noon. Ngayon (sa PhilHealth Run) at sa isang event, ako na ang ang oldest runner,” he said.

For his parting word, he advised that everyone should prioritize their health. “Dapat priority ang health, ang mga bisyo huwag na umpisahan. Focus na lang sa physical health. Ngayon mahal ang gasolina, mas mahal ang gamot. Imbes na bumili ka ng gamot, ibili mo na lang ng para sa physical conditioning mo. Sa pagtakbo, magiging active ang lahat ng parte ng katawan. Yung puso mo ang unang pinapatatag ng pagtakbo”, the ever cheerful Daddy Roger added.

When asked about his diet plan, Lori said that “Buffet ang favourite n’ya”. “Ang sarap ng pork chop, pata tim at chicharon. Sana sa susunod na PhilHealth Run, may chicharon katabi ng hydration station,” he said with a hearty laugh. (END)