3 Pinoy triathletes to compete in Hawaii for Yolanda victims

Three Filipino athletes will compete in the upcoming World Ironman Championship in Hawaii to build more homes in Cebu's Bantayan Islands, an area devastated by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in November 2013.

With the backing of Cobra Ironman 70.3 organizer Sunrise Management, William Veto, Gadric Chusenfu and Joseph Palisoc will represent the Philippines in the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii on October 11.

The three are hoping that their participation will gather enough funds from donors to continue their rebuilding efforts in a Gawad Kalinga village in typhoon-hit Bantayan Islands.

An initial 20 homes were built from the "HUMANITARIAN" relief fund, which has raised P3 million since its creation in November 14, days after super typhoon Yolanda devastated many areas in the Visayas, killing over 6,000 people and displacing millions more.

Veto, a triathlete in his 50's, said any help would be appreciated. He also shared his appreciation for his younger cohorts.

"After almost 20 years for racing Ironman, I get the chance to race in the World Championship... I have the good fortune of racing with two other very young and very talented Filipinos.  At my age, I hope their enthusiasm and strength rubs off on me on race day," he said.

The three have set up a Facebook page and a website where interested parties can donate either in Philippine peso or US dollar amounts. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News

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