WHILE THE CLOCK TICKS
On July 13, 2009, the North Forbes Park Pavilion was witness to the arrival of athletes of different disciplines, wearing shades of red for a special event. A sumptuous buffet dinner kept their tummies happy while the clock ticked and they waited …
Hosted by international triathlete Ani de Leon and Jinno of Monster Radio RX 93.1, the TIMEX send-off party went into full launch as Murli Menon, TIMEX country manager, welcomed the athletes with words of encouragement for the upcoming race. These athletes will swim 1.2-miles, bike 56 miles and run 13.1 miles in an extraordinary race to the finish line. This is the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines and these are the athletes to beat.
Spearheaded by President and CEO of Alaska Milk Wilfred Uytengsu Jr., former Philippine Basketball Association chairman, the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines will be held this August 23 at the CAMSUR Watersports Complex, a race that will put the Philippines on the international triathlon map.
Having kept everyone’s hunger in check, the hosts proceeded with a “Name That Tune” game. Momoy Ayaton & Cris Bofill of TIMEX-TMM attempted to steal the show with their “moonwalk” dance steps but Lara Parpan & Chock Martinez bested the other two pairs with their cool dances moves. In the end, Polo Tri Team’s Bea Locsin & Cliff Eala emerged winners even while keeping to their feet, for after all, the game is called “Name That Tune” and not “Shall We Dance”.
Triathletes are expected to have honed the breathing technique necessary for their brand of sport. This technique was put to test in the game of “Longest Breath” where contestants were asked to call out the word “TIMEX” for the longest time that they can. Rio Dela Cruz, Mark Bonzo, Roland Aquino and Chesca Dionisio tried in vain to hold their breath long enough, for Jaja Reyes and Will Ottiger outlasted them all and tied each other at 23 seconds. In the final showdown, Will surpassed Jaja to win the coveted Timex Expedition WS4 watch.
In the game of Charades, players acted out movie titles related to TIME. It seemed that TIMEX-TMM team manager Mar Alotaya could not get his message across to partner Fiona Ottiger, allowing partners Ias Bernardo and Christine Ong to bag 1st prize over another pair Ernie Lopez and Bing Alto-Larocque.
A video presentation followed showing the commitment of TIMEX to support its triathletes for the CAMSUR event. TV personality and model Marc Nelson joined team captains as they were presented on stage: Nonoy Jopson, Leica Carpo and David Charlton of Polo Tri Team, Lara Parpan of Team Women’s Health, Coach Rio Dela Cruz of Team Runrio, and Roy Hervias of TIMEX-TMM. Roy promised that his team will all finish by 1:00 p.m., while Lara said that she, together with Christine Ong and Debbie Yabut in her relay team, represents the rookies.
Brothers George and Bob Mirani, TIMEX CEO’s, were beckoned up the stage by Mr. Menon as he announced their generous offer of an additional Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) for the fastest relay team to complete the Cobra Ironman 70.3 race. What a great incentive for them to give it their best TIME!
Marc Nelson enjoined everyone to toast to Murli Menon, who would soon be leaving the Philippines for another TIMEX post abroad. Wine glasses were raised while red confetti rained down on the stage, a great way to end the party with a bang.
Tessa Prieto-Valdes, columnist, socialite and an athlete herself, graced the event donned in a one-shoulder dress with matching headdress, dangling earrings and a conspicuous necklace of gems.
TIMEX is one of the best known watch brands in the world. Just as its commitment to give the highest quality products, its pledge of support for the highest quality athletes in the country will never waiver.
41 days to go till race day! What will be the outcome? Only TIME can tell. Till then, the clock is still ticking and the athletes are still waiting …
-angie-
*Written by Angie Tan, Official TMM Media.
Team Timex-Gold's Gym TMM 