SOAR Phoenix Rising - Phoenix Petroleum Philippines

Donation to Davao flood victims
Phoenix Petroleum Philippines donated 500 bags of relief goods, blankets,
plastic mats, and cooking pans to the victims of the Matina flash floods in
Davao City. The flash flood on June 28, 2011 killed 30 people and displaced
tens of thousands of residents.
Phoenix Petroleum’s donation was coursed through the Offices of the
Mayor and Vice Mayor of Davao City on July 1 and 2. Phoenix staff also
donated used clothes.
Relief goods are packed at the
Phoenix office
Hero’s Run for Rizal
Why i run
Continued from page 29
We sacrificed, waking up as early as 4 am
to start our runs. Even when one of us was
traveling, we brought our rubber shoes and
running outfits to run whether we were in
Manila, Iloilo, Cebu or Bacolod. When we missed
our morning runs, we would run in the evenings
after work. There was no stopping us. We
challenged ourselves by joining more races. We
had our first 21K in the Cebu Marathon followed
by another 21K in the Condura Run. It was pretty
exciting as we began to be more daring.
Before the 42K marathon, we had to alter our
sleeping pattern as the race was at 2 am. Five
days before, we tried to sleep at 6 or 7 pm so we
can wake up at 12 am. On the day of the race, we
were awake at 11 pm and were ready at 1 am.
Phoenix Petroleum Chairman
Domingo Uy turns over relief goods
to the Office of the Vice Mayor of
Davao City, Rodrigo Duterte
Phoenix
employees
celebrated Dr.
Jose Rizal’s 150th
birthday by
joining the Hero’s
Run for Rizal on
June 19, 2011 at
People’s Park in
Davao City.
When the gun went off, all kept their
individual paces. Coco and I purposely started
slow to conserve our energies. By the 21st
kilometer, I was relieved to see my brothers and
cousins waiting to keep pace with us. They kept
our minds off the finish line and came up with
ideas for interesting conversation. By the 38th
kilometer, I was already feeling pain in my heel
and tiredness in my legs. My whole body ached
but I told myself I cannot quit now, I cannot
embarrass myself. I did not come to Laguna
just to quit. I did not want my training to go
down the drain for nothing. I did not want to
disappoint my brothers, Coco, and myself.
So I maintained my pace – my very slow
pace – because I felt that if I ran any faster,
I would surely get cramps in my legs (I was
feeling it already) and I could not afford any
more pain. My mind was set on the remaining 5
kilometers and it was nothing but fun run now.
At the 40th kilometer, I was touched because
GIVING BACK
Phoenix Petroleum Chairman Domingo Uy turns over relief goods to the
Office of Mayor Sara Duterte through City Administrator Atty. Zuleika
Lopez. They are joined by Phoenix Corporate Affairs Manager Ben Sur
and Phoenix dealer John Oropeza.
Shrine Hills Challenge
Phoenix Petroleum sponsored the race bibs of the 10th Shrine Hills
Challenge in Davao City on June 26 presented by the Davao Sunday
Runners Club. The fun run had 5K and 10K categories.
friends, strangers, and on-lookers offered
encouraging words and cheered us on. It made
a lot of difference. I was elated. I had seven
pacers – my family and friends – behind me to
cheer me on. In fact, I think I had the biggest
cheer even if I was almost at the tail-end of the
race. The sweetest victory came when at the
finish line, I saw my daughter Kitkat with her
arms outstretched waiting for me to hug her! At
exactly 7 hours and 26 minutes I finally crossed
the finish line and finished 42.2 kilometers. I
finally earned my medal.
The marathon was the most difficult physical
activity I have ever done in my life. More than
that, I had to overcome mental exertion. It tested
my limits and helped me get in touch with the
deepest core of myself. There is nothing anyone
can’t do when one puts her mind and heart into
it. One thing I have learned: age is never a factor.
Will I do it again? Probably! Anything is possible.
I am a marathoner.
SOAR PHOENIX April-June 2011 / 25