Stars descend in Cebu for Cobra IronMan race

Cynthia Lim works as a saleslady in a big department store. Like her co-workers, she is not allowed to take a day off during weekends in anticipation of the huge crowd at the malls.

But as early as two weeks ago, Cynthia, 24, pleaded to her supervisors to allow her to change her day off from Tuesday to Sunday (today) for just this week, so that she can watch the Cobra IronMan race.

But she won’t be lining the streets to cheer for the thousands of triathletes competing in Cebu’s centerpiece sports event. Rather, she will be on the IronMan route along Osmeña Road early today to cheer for her movie idols Piolo Pascual and Gerald Anderson.

“Bahala na’g kasab-an basta namugos jud ko ni sir nga ma change akong day off karong Domingo kay mag-atang ko nilang Papa Piolo ug Gerald,” said Cynthia flashing her trademark toothy smile. (I wouldn’t mind if I was scolded for asking for a change in day off. What’s important is I can watch and cheer for my idols).

And the star-struck saleslady is not likely to get frustrated because her idols and other Pinoy celebrities will be racing today, providing glitz and glamour to a grueling and energy-sapping sport.

Cynthia will be one of the expected thousands of celebrity hunters who will crowd the IronMan route today to cheer and get a closer look at their favorite movie and television stars.

Piolo will once again compete in the relay event for the Sun Life Financial Philippines team.

“It’s always nice to race in Cebu. This is my seventh year (joining IronMan), it’s my sixth with Sun Life,” he said. Piolo will man the bike phase.

For Gerald Anderson, who is also playing the role of a triathlete on ABS-CBN’s noontime teleserye “Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin,” joining this year’s IronMan is part of his quest for a healthy lifestyle.

His teleserye co-stars Jake Cuenca and Kim Chiu are also joining in the relay. Anderson and Cuenca will compete in the 90-kilometer bike phase for Team De Rosa but in different groups.

Kim Chiu, a Cebuana, will take on the run discipline which is the last event after the swim and the bike legs .

Meanwhile, actress Bubbles Paraiso will try her hand as an individual competitor in just her second IronMan. She competed in the relays last year.

“I enjoyed racing in Cebu because this place is awesome. The energy is so high and everyone is out in the streets cheering for you,” she said.

Other celebrities who entered in the full race are Dyan Castillejo, Kim Atienza, Matteo Guidicelli, Sam YG and Paul Jake Castillo while Enchong Dee and Christine Jacob Sandejas will see action in the relays.

Pop Star Sarah Geronimo is reportedly in town to lend support to boyfriend Matteo Guidicelli.