Asthma condition kept FilAm from reaching Boston Marathon finish line

Susan Marie Sobrepena

Susan Marie Sobrepena

By Cristina DC Pastor

One of the Filipinos who participated in the Boston Marathon said she is OK and back at her hotel room. Her asthma condition prevented her from reaching the finish line, she said.

Susan Marie Sobrepena posted on her Facebook wall: “Just got back to my hotel room. Was close to the finish when I heard the two explosions and got stopped moving forward by the police. I feel quite lucky and blessed that my asthma held me back today from my usual faster pace. Thank you to all for your concern and thoughts. I am keeping those hurt in the explosion in my prayers.”

Messages from friends asking how she is doing have been streaming on her wall, including one from Zulma Andrews: “Susan, talk to me.”

To allay her friends’ concerns, Susan, who comes from Bacolod and Lanao del Norte, posted her short response above.

Susan, a New York resident, works as a movie producer. She graduated from the New York Institute of Technology.

Susan’s asthma condition may have saved her life when a series of explosions ripped through near the Boston Marathon finish line on April 15. Two people were confirmed dead and more than 100 are being treated in hospitals for injuries, ranging from minor bruises to amputations, according to reports.

Fellow marathoner Mia Fernandez described Susan as “athletic” who has been “running all her life.”

“She might be responding to people. I won’t be surprised if she helps out over there somehow,” said Fernandez.

The Philippine Embassy said there are no reports of Filipino casualties in the Boston Marathon explosions. Spokesman Elmer Cato said the Philippine Consulate in New York remains in coordination with Boston authorities and with the Filipino American community to make sure all Filipinos who were in the area are accounted for.

The Philippine Embassy said there are no reports of Filipino casualties in the Boston Marathon explosions. Spokesman Elmer Cato said the Philippine Consulate in New York remains in coordination with Boston authorities and with the Filipino American community to make sure all Filipinos who were in the area are accounted for.

The Boston Marathon website lists 10 Filipinos are registered for the event. They are identified as: Arnie Aguila, 36; Amanda Carpo, 38; Leila Carpo, 44; and Noel Colina, 53, all from California; Richelle Embree, 37, Massachusetts; Arland Macasieb, 37, New Jersey; Ricardo Mansueta, 32, Ontario; Rolan Ocampo, 53, New York; Jose Martin Paiso, 50, Virginia; and Angielyn San Juan, 25, Illinois.

Sobrepena is not in the list. A U.S. citizen, she may have registered as a U.S. runner.

Ocampo wrote on his FB wall: “prayers for all of the survivors of the explosion. one of the two victims who died in the explosion is an eight year old kid who probably was there to watch as mom or dad cross the finish line. may your soul rest in peace.

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