One-legged runner Renson Emradura, 28 and a native of Sariaya, Quezon Province completed as a finisher in the 42-kilometer marathon held here in Tabuk City this April 14, 2019. Trailing under the bristling sun, over rugged and muddy roads and thoroughfares zooming with incoming traffic, Emradura arrived at the finish line against the odds.
You may have seen him on TV doing interviews or in the show Magpakailanman entitled "Takbo ng Buhay Ko: The Renson Emradura Story" aired on July 28, 2018.
Emradura said that he was born with his condition and that since childhood, he had been bullied by classmates and other children while growing up. Determined not to lose to his condition, the constant bullying as well as the notion coming from his father who fears that he cannot do what an able-bodied person can, only he had graduated college out of his five siblings.
After graduating though, all companies he tried to apply for continued to reject him because of his disability but he kept on persevering and finally landed a job at the information office assisting visitors at the Municipal Hall of Sariaya, Quezon Province.
During his time working there, his friend invited him to join a fun run and that's where it all began for him. "Nagsimula akong tumakbo noong 2015 sa mga barangay naming," Emradura sated "sa mga fun run sa mga barangay sa amin pero hanggang 5 to 10 kilometers lang." It was that time that his passion for running awakened and had not diminished ever since. "Noong nag viral yung takbo ko ng 15 kilometers, doon na ako naiinvite sa mga iba't ibang mga bayan," he added.
It was not easy for Emradura when he first started because of his condition. "Mas madali siguro akong naka adjust kasi inborn na akong ganito at hindi dahil sa disgrasya," he said. "Habang tumatagal, duon na nag adjust yung katawan at takbo ko."
He was then introduced to Team Sariaya and Judy Marcelo who acted as his mentor and furthered his training.
Due to many invites to join different events, Emradura's accolades grew that he stated that since 2017, he had more than 40 medals already.
"Ginagawa ko ito hindi para sa karangalan kundi para ipakita sa mga ibang tao mas lalo na sa mga PWD na tayo ang magbigay inspirasyon, lalo na sa mga taong kumpleto and katawan, na kaya din nating gawin," he said.
Emradura then admitted that even though he found the Kalinga trail rather hard, he enjoyed running and refused to quit until he crosses the finish line and always with a smile on his face.
Asked to give a message for our readers, Emradura had this to say, "kahit tinging ng iba, ako'y may kapansanan, yung determinasyon at lakas na binigay saakin ng Diyos ang nagbibigay saakin ng kompyansa," he further added that "bawat tao ay binigyan ng kanya-kanyang kakayahan, maging normal ka man o PWD. Huwag niyong ikahiya at ilabas ito. Huwag sayangin ang buhay na binigay ng Diyos. Alam ko na dito sa pagtatakbo, talagang mahirap pero dito ako maligaya. Habang buhay pa ako at kaya pa, ipagpapatuloy ko ito, sana maging kayo rin," he ended.
Credits:
- Edward Joseph Gacuya
- Brent Martinez
