Tatay Rening, CCSC oval guardian, passes away at 81

If you’re a regular jogger, fitness enthusiast or a weekend warrior at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) you probably have known or bumped into Ireneo “Tatay Rening” Ylaya.

The running community is in mourning after Ylaya, who works as an oval traffic enforcer, died last Wednesday night. He was 81.

Ylaya was a regular fixture at the CCSC oval; he was incharge to watch the joggers and remind them to use proper lanes—the inner lanes 1 to 4 for joggers and outer lanes 5 to 8 for fast runners.

Ylaya also assists runners, athletes and CCSC clients. CCSC general manager Ricky Ballesteros said that Ylaya will be missed at the sports center.

“Almost all runners, ath- letes, knew him as Tatay Rening. He has so many stories to tell, if he has free time he always go to our office and talk with our staff and shares his experiences in life, as an athlete and even his lovelife,” said Ballesteros.

Ylaya was dedicated to his work in directing the runners to the correct lane.

“There were times that he would cry and tell me that the other runners were not listening to him,” said Ballesteros.

The family of Ylaya is asking for help for his burial. He will be laid to rest this Sunday at the A.Lopez Cemetery. Before that, there will be a mass at the Buhisan Chapel near Brgy. Buhisan Brgy. Hall.

“We are also raising funds among our staff. I hope his close friends will know that Tatay Rening has passed away and needs help,” said Ballesteros.

According to the nephew of Ylaya, the runner was coughing and had difficulty in breathing last Wednesday night.

Ylaya, a permanent fixture at CCSC, was very active in running despite his age. He competed in short and long distances races and even ultramarathons. /