Month: September 2026

Over the weekend, I joined a retreat on The Power of Radical Kinship, by Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ.

Fr. Greg spoke so clearly and powerfully, in a gentle and beautiful way, on how we are God’s delight; on how wholeness, not perfection, is the journey that God wants us to experience and to be, on how love conquers all and finds its way, even in the darkest; and on how we are siblings in infinite love.

Many times, he repeatedly said:  that love is God’s religion; mercy is God’s language; that we are God’s delight; that God wants us to be whole; and that we are to be whole, not perfect; that love never fails; that when love touches suffering, he turns suffering into mercy; that love never loses its way home; that there is no fear in love.

We may think that the messages are the same ones we have heard before. But Fr. Greg delivered them in a manner so differently—so simply and clearly—that it touches the soul.  He also gave us many quiet moments to reflect and look into ourselves.

Fr. Greg also spoke on how Homeboy Industries touched the lives of many gang members in Los Angeles, California.   Homeboy Industries is the largest gang rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world. For over 30 years, it has stood as a beacon of hope in Los Angeles,  providing training and support to formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated people, and allowing them to redirect their lives and become contributing members of our community.  In LA alone today, they have around 500 “trainees” who report every day, and the movement has developed into a world-wide network.  

We also heard testimonies of Hector and Steve, rehabilitated former gang members, who flew in with Fr. Greg, on how their lives were so remarkably touched by love and on how they have been transformed.  We also heard from Fr. Greg many other stories, some even funny, but mostly mind-boggling to me, of gang members, their childhood traumas, their years in jail, but how Homeboy welcomed them with love and open arms.

What amazes me most is how Fr. Greg and his team in Homeboy not just deliver, but more importantly show, God’s message of love to those gang members.  It is always the recognition and acceptance of that love which is the key to their conversion and change.  And one would think that they are the only ones who need to hear those message and need to be “converted” or “convinced”.

We, who are in a much different world, need to be reminded as much or even more.  Thus, Fr. Boyle’s message rang so loudly to all of the participants, and more particularly, to me.

Indeed, God is a God of love.  He is greater than the God we settled for.

PS. Incidentally, Fr. Greg was given by Traditional University Award by the Ateneo de Manila University.  He will also speak in a podcast in the Jesuit Hour of Radio Katipunan.

By:  Euney Marie Mata-Perez

After having run on the average of 10 kilometers only since I started running when I turned 50, I decided to aim for a marathon shortly before I turned 60.

I aimed for the New York marathon, but could not get a slot. Thus, in February 2025, I joined The Bull Runner (TBR) marathon, the inclusive marathon for first timers in Muntinlupa (Filinvest), Manila.  

I hired a coach and trained for a year, a period longer than the usual trainings for marathon.  I survived the TBR, clocked decently, and ran my first full marathon at 60.

Entering an international marathon was still elusive though. Fortunately, I was able to get a slot for 2026 London Marathon through my elite-runner friend from Texas, USA, Maria Dofiles-Wicker, who was invited to run the marathon by the London running club. After getting the slot, I on-boarded my running coach, Miguel Lopez, again.

Since I ran my first marathon at 60, it took time and a village for me to prepare. Aside from getting a running coach, I went back to the gym and got a strength and conditioning trainer, and also went to see a physical therapist, who helped release my muscles especially when the trainings became so intensive.

There are no short cuts to train for marathons.  I had to run at least three times a week, with a longer run on weekends.  I had to do some speed drills too, to improve my speed. I joined runs, at progressive distances, before the marathon since I performed better in organized runs.  Expectedly, as my training progressed, I ran better.  

I was also careful with my diet, making sure I ate protein before and after runs among others.

London

Going to London for the marathon both excited me and made me anxious.  

Two months before the marathon, the war in Middle East broke out. Thus, we had to change to an Asian airline (China Southern Airlines) to avoid going through Dubai in the middle east. 

In Guangzhou, we missed our connecting flight to London because of a very-delayed Manila leg and had to stay in China for an additional 12 hours.  Thus, we arrived only two days before the Marathon, and I did not have time to get over my jet lag.  (Lesson learned:  leave early enough).

In London, it helped greatly though that I was with a group of runners (elite at that), courtesy of Maria who was so excited to see me (it was the first time we saw each other since our college days in the University of San Carlos).

The Marathon

London marathon was one great party.  It also broke world records. A total 60,512 runners started and exactly 59,830 finished, thereby registering a world record.  Sabastian Sawe from Kenya also became the first man in history to complete a marathon in under two hours. (1:59:30)

But what most impressed me were the people—whether they be runners or cheerers. I was also so impressed with the organizers. 

People were cheering at both side of the streets the entire stretch. I realized that the London Marathon is more of a local event than an international one.  It was a big deal for the Londoners; it was a way for them to raise funds for their favorite charities; it was a way for them to find purpose and meaning. It was reported that a record-breaking £87.5 million was raised for charities in that marathon.

Our starting point was Greenwich Park in Greenwich, an affluent district located in south-east of London, and world renowned as home of global time (Greenwich Mean Time).  Going there, we rode trains which were made free for all runners that morning.

The runners had multiple color-coded starting points and times.  My waive was no. 12 and was to start around 10:45. Since my entry was a community entry, I was with many locals who ran for charities. Some runners were in wheelchairs; some were visually impaired or with hearing disabilities.  It was so inspiring to be with them. 

We ran through London’s scenic landmarks–Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf and the Embankment for the final miles and emotional moments.  The finish line was right in front of the Buckingham Palace.  Since we arrived only two days before the marathon, we did not have time to see London before that.  Thus, I saw London for the first time on foot, while running the marathon.  (It was our first time in London).

By my standards, I did well in the first 30kms, registered personal records for the 21k and 30k segments.  Deliberately, I paced myself so as to avoid fatigue, but unavoidably, fatigue set in. My jet lag (I woke up 2 a.m. and couldn’t go back to sleep that day) took a toll.  The last 12 kilometer became a huge challenge.  So, I had to strategize to I finish, went on endurance mode, and pushed myself to run 3 minutes and walk 1 minute for the last challenging 10k.  

I cannot help but cry when I saw my daughter shouting my name at kilometer 42 (yes, because for some reason, I ran an extra kilometer and finished at 43k).  The last kilometer was also an ordeal, but seeing the Buckingham Palace and the finish line was exhilarating.  Of course, I cried again as I crossed the finish line.  It dawned on me—I just became an international marathon runner and earned my first Abbot World Marathon Major star at the age of 61. 

Indeed, with the grace of God and determination, many things are possible.