MOMMY ROSALINDA, 78, SCOOPS UP MEDALS IN INTERNATIONAL DEBUT

ULTRAMARATHONER. Grandmother. Trail runner.

You can now add 'Internationalist' to the titles alongside the name of Rosalinda Pendon Ogsimer. 

The silver-haired Ogsimer, known in running circles as Mommy Rosalinda, competed outside the country for the first time last month - and what an experience it was.

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Relishing the cool November weather, Ogsimer, 78, won four silver medals at the 10th Hong Kong Masters Athletics Championships at the Wanchai Sports Ground.

"Excited na kabado," Ogsimer said of the experience.

At the start of the two-day meet, the grandmother of 17 from Paranaque won silver in the 400 meters and 1,500m events of the Women's 75-80 age category.

She returned the next day to claim silver in the 800m and 5,000m.

Though a first-timer in overseas races, Ogsimer did not feel intimidated by the other competitors or the new surroundings. In fact, she even made friends with a Hong Kong-based Swiss runner.

"Very friendly siya," Ogsimer added.

She later wrote on social media about her Hong Kong experience.

"This unforgettable experience reminded me that with faith, passion, and hard work — anything is possible," she wrote.

"Salamat sa Diyos, sa aking pamilya, sa Team Philippines at sa lahat ng sumuporta sa aking journey.

"Truly grateful for the sportsmanship, camaraderie, and inspiration shared by athletes from different countries. This moment will forever be part of my running legacy."

Ogsimer is a latebloomer in the sport, having taken up running only after retirement. And she did so only after the nagging of her son, who worried that the lack of physical activity might affect her health.

She hasn't stopped running.

Looking for a new challenge after having done marathons and ultramarathons, Ogsimer competed in her first trail run at Dona Remedios Trinidad in Bulacan last August. Before the month was over, she would take part in the Triman triathlon relay, taking over the running leg for her team.

In Hong Kong, Ogsimer was part of a 10-strong team assembled by the National Masters and Seniors Athletics Association of the Philippines.

The team took home 11 medals - four golds, six silvers and one bronze.

Jhojie Daga-as (M45) won two gold medals (3,000m andi 5,000m) and a silver (1,500m).

Juan Villa (M65) broke the meet record in taking shot put gold apart from claiming silver in discus throw.

Riccardo Loi (M65) won gold in javelin throw and Wilfredo Suarez (M75) added a bronze in 200m.

2025-12-03T10:14:47Z