By Helen Castaño | 08:46 AM October 5, 2025
TAGBILARAN CITY, BOHOL — For 76-year-old Queruben “Tatay Ruben” Abella, age is not a barrier but a challenge to conquer — one stride at a time.
On 4th Alturas Pink Run on Sunday, Abella defied expectations and turned heads as he completed the 21-kilometer race in 2 hours, 37 minutes, and 4 seconds — proving that endurance and spirit can outlast time.
A resident of Barangay Candelaria, Dagohoy, about 73 kilometers from Tagbilaran City, Abella became an instant crowd favorite not just for his impressive finish but for his worn-out, hole-punched running shoes — a symbol of resilience and ingenuity.
He shared that he bought the shoes from an ukay-ukay (thrift store) and deliberately punched holes in them for ventilation and drainage during river crossings.
“I’m comfortable with these shoes,” he said, smiling. “They’ve been with me in many runs.”
Those same shoes have carried him through some of Bohol’s toughest races — including the Bohol 50 Miler Ultra Marathon and the Alicia TAPP Trail Run in 2021, which involved running through creeks, rappelling up cliffs, and navigating dizzying trails.
Abella joined the Pink Run to support breast cancer awareness, a cause close to his heart.
“I joined because it’s for a good cause,” he said. “I hope young people will be inspired to run, too — if someone my age can do it, they can, too.”
Mary Grace Ido-Bernaldez, organizer of the Alturas Pink Run, said there were more than 4,000 participants for this year.
She said Abella has become a fixture in the event — one of its most inspiring participants.
“He’s not just a runner; he’s a reminder that age is never an excuse,” Bernaldez said. “Every year, more people join because of stories like his. The more participants we have, the more people we can help and educate about early detection of cancer.”
Bernaldez added that Abella’s registration fee has been waived for life, should he continue joining future races.
Proceeds from this year’s event will help nore than 35 cancer patients in Bohol and nearby areas.
For Tatay Ruben, the finish line is never the end — it’s a new beginning.
“As long as I have the strength, I’ll keep running,” he said. “Running keeps me healthy, and helping others keeps me going.”
When he’s not running, Abella spends his days tending to his 20-hectare banana farm. A former boxing trainer, he has been passionate about running since he was 14 years old, with the unwavering support of his wife Pilar and their five children.
Indeed, Abella’s story is more than just about running — it’s about perseverance, purpose, and proving that it’s never too late to make a difference.
