I am one of those runners whose always attracted to running finisher's medal. I carefully choose my races and medal are always part of the consideration to run or not. For a medal hungry runner like me, it symbolizes achievement. I believe, medals last longer than pain.
Cebu City Marathon or CCM now on its 12th edition this 2018 is one of the races with beautifully designed and unique medals. I doff my hat to the Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) for coming up with designs and concepts that beautifully depicts what CEBU is all about.
Let's look back, revisit the past years and try to learn the story behind each design.
Let's look back, revisit the past years and try to learn the story behind each design.
2010 - MANGO DESIGN
 |
| The famous Cebu mangoes - sweet, delicious and juicy. Photo Credits: www.everythingcebu.com |
 |
| 2010 Design - Inspired by Cebu Mango |
Who doesn't like Cebu Mangoes? Perhaps this is what Meyrick Jacalan of Cebu Executive Runners Club (CERC) had in mind when he came up with the brilliant idea to have the famous Cebu Mango for the design. Engraved in it are the words "CEBU CITY MARATHON", the famous landmark MAGELLAN CROSS, the date of the event 01-10-10 and CERC, the running club organizing the event.
2011 - 2-MANGO DESIGN
I can surmise the mango design earned beautiful feedback and review from runners reason why Cebu Executive Runners
Club decided to keep the mango-design. This time around they added the words "Race Through The Streets and Colors of
Cebu", which is an apt description of what CCM should be - a prelude to SINULOG, which is the grandest of all festivals in the Philippines.
2012 - 3-MANGO DESIGN
 |
| SOURCE: www.runningpinoy.wordpress.com |
For the third and last time, Cebu Marathon 2012 medal still retained the Mango-design, however, it added the engraved branding words "Feel The Beat and Get On Your Feet". With the branding, the organizers wanted the CCM to goes back to its Sinulog roots, bringing the festive, lively and fun vibe, highlighting the reason to take part in Sinulog.
 |
| Cebu's Puso, the inspiration for the 2013 medal design Photo Credits: www.everythingcebu.com |
 |
| 2013 Design - inspired by Cebu's puso or hanging rice |
PUSO, is heart in Filipino/Tagalog. In Cebuano, it is pronounced PU-SU or the Bisaya term for Hanging Rice. The hanging rice which is distinctly Cebuano is best paired with grilled barbeque meat, siomai or any street food.
For 2013, the organizers highligthed PUSO to brand PUSO as the The Heart of the Cebu Marathon. Aside from the usual Cebu landmarks engraved in the medal, this is the first time that an image of the Child Jesus, Sto. Nino is incorporated. I find this noteworthy as Sinulog Festival is supposedly a religious event. Amidst the festivities, its is nice to focus on the reason of the celebration which is to give thanks, honor and adoration to the Blessed Child Jesus.
2014 - GUITAR DESIGN
Cebu is home to world-class guitar. Guitar making is a flourishing industry and most of the manufacturers are found in Lapu-Lapu City or Mactan Island. Accounts on how the industry started can be traced during the Spaniards time when they trained villagers on the craft, so they no longer have to send their guitars to Mexico for repair. The music loving villagers took the livelihood by heart until it grown into a thriving industry. This livelihood was passed on from generations to generations.
For 2013, the organizers highligthed PUSO to brand PUSO as the The Heart of the Cebu Marathon. Aside from the usual Cebu landmarks engraved in the medal, this is the first time that an image of the Child Jesus, Sto. Nino is incorporated. I find this noteworthy as Sinulog Festival is supposedly a religious event. Amidst the festivities, its is nice to focus on the reason of the celebration which is to give thanks, honor and adoration to the Blessed Child Jesus.
2014 - GUITAR DESIGN
Cebu is home to world-class guitar. Guitar making is a flourishing industry and most of the manufacturers are found in Lapu-Lapu City or Mactan Island. Accounts on how the industry started can be traced during the Spaniards time when they trained villagers on the craft, so they no longer have to send their guitars to Mexico for repair. The music loving villagers took the livelihood by heart until it grown into a thriving industry. This livelihood was passed on from generations to generations.
 |
| GUITAR, the inspiration for CCM 2014 medal design. Photo Credits: www.everythingcebu.com |
2015 - LECHON DESIGN
If you ask any Filipino what is the most popular dish in the Philippines, I bet their answer would include lechon. And if you're follow up question will be, "where can we have the best lechon, the answer is crystral clear: Cebu lechon is the best!
 |
| Cebu's Lechon or roasted Pig, CCM's inspiration for its 2015 medal design Photo Credits: Out of Town Blog |
2016 - LAPU-LAPU DESIGN
Cebu is rich in history and culture. History books tells us that in 1521, the brave island chieftain named Lapu-Lapu fought against Spanish conquerors led by then Portuguese Ferdinand Magellan in a fight called The Battle of Mactan. Lapu-Lapu defeated and killed Magellan in that historic event. It was victory for Lapu-Lapu.
Running a marathon is like raging war with oneself. Along the race you will encounter challenges and difficulties that's hard to combat. Once you'll diminish self-doubt and conquer one self, you will be victorious and just like Lapu-Lapu, you are a true heart road warrior.
This finisher's medal is fitting for a road warrior.
 |
| Mactan Island's chieftain, LAPU-LAPU - the inspiration for the CCM 2016 medal design Photo Credits: www.ebtenorio.wordpress.com |
 |
| SOURCE: www. takbo.ph |
2017 - 10TH ANNIVERSARY MANGO DESIGN
CCM started in 2008. It was then called Sinulog Half Marathon and not CCM yet. It was organized by the Cebu Executive Runners Club or CERC, the same group who is still backing up the event every year.
On its 10th edition, CCM went back to the original Mango design but this time around highlighted its 10th year anniversary. This race is also called Tri-City Marathon as this is the first time that race route covers the three cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu. That makes this edition extra special.
2018 - "CEBU NOW" DESIGN
Less is written on the why of the medal design. In my opinion, it depicts the modern Cebu. That is why unofficially call it "THE CEBU NOW" design for the reason that it highlighted the modern and present Cebu. As with the previous medals, it still showcased the famed landmark of Cebu, The Magellan's Cross. This time around they included the Basilica Minore de Sto Nino, a landmark that symbolizes Cebuano deep religiosity, devotion and unwavering Child-like faith to the Child Jesus.
Since CCM was born, a lot had change in terms of the city's landscape. Cebu is definitely not the same as it was since 2008. This is perhaps the reason why the medal version this year is a modern representation of the city. Its background are tall rise buildings or skyscrapers in all forms and sizes - condominiums, commercial centers, malls and modern infrastructures and structures that sprouted like mushrooms at almost all parts of the metropolis.
With all the infrastructure development, worsening traffic woes and visible sign of economic progress, this is the CEBU now.
 |
| Cebu's Skyscrapers - inspiration for the 2018 design Photo Credits: Pinterest |
 |
| SOURCE: www.cebumarathon.ph |
No comments:
Post a Comment