Pangasinan cyclists shine in Camsur tour

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

DESPITE the hyped and much-feared ‘end of the world’ prediction of doomsday foreteller Harold Camping, which was supposed to take place on May 21, the organizers and participants of the Camsur Tour spearheaded by Camarines Sur Gov. Erley Villafuerte just shrugged it off. And they were right to do so. The nine-day road battle slated May 21-29 pushed through without any obstacle and the best of Philippine cycling are in attendance.

The only thing that was feared by the entourage, particularly the organizers and the cyclists, was the threat of Typhoon Chedeng. But fortunately, the tropical storm has swerved to the sea and did not hamper the tour’s course. With just sporadic drizzles, the competitors have been arriving at the finish safe and sound every day.

The bikefest is the biggest and the richest (so far) this year with a whopping top prize of P500,000 for the individual champion and P300,000 for the team honor. As of this writing (Friday), my reliable source Ric Rodriguez reports that the 60-man competition that was broken into 10 teams, are already in Naga City with Mapandan son-in-law Irish Valenzuela at the forefront. Valenzuela, representing the 7-Eleven squad, leads fellow Pangasinense Baler Ravina of Asingan by just 30 seconds with Lloyd Reynante of Muntinlupa City in third just 39 ticks off the pace. Rodriguez, also a well-known organizer from Tarlac City said he is in no doubt that one of the three will bag the championship. The second and the third finishers will receive P300,000 and P200,000, respectively. I believe him. That’s my perception too. Valenzuela, Ravina and Reynante are veteran international pedal-pushers.

Valenzuela’s team is also at the top position and likely to win the top team prize. Our six-man Pangasinan team led by 2003 Tour Pilipinas champion Arnel Quirimit of Pozorrubio and Ravina are on the fourth spot. Mileage team of Nueva Ecija and the Sorsogon squad are on the second and third position, respectively. The aging Quirimit, 36, faltered to tenth from ninth place overall after the sixth stage held Thursday, which was won by San Fabian son Sherwin Carrera. Ericson Obosa of Manaoag dislodged Ravina in the point-sprint race worth P50,000. Reynante leads the ‘king of the mountain’ honor with a value also of P50,000.

We’re wondering why the daily results of the bikefest are not being published daily. Rodriguez also said he likewise doesn’t know why. “Maybe the governor is not a media-savvy person unlike other politicians and just want to help our cyclists earn some bucks and hone their skills,” Rodriguez explained.

I believe our boys will win the crown. Amen.

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My big thanks to the people who helped me make our barangay fiesta a successful affair. Firstly to our village chair Melchor de Guzman and the barangay Buenlag kagawads, especially Boy Cabrera and Cipriano Penullar in my town Mangaldan, the tanods and their chief Rene Martinez, our barangay treasurer Deborah Gutierrez and secretary Ginalyn Tulagan, basketball tournament director Rolando Bagbagay and my close friends Boy Lalicon, Greg Cendana, Ronald Landingin, Armando Lalata and to my son Jazy. The last but not the least to Mangaldan Mayor Herminio Romero and Vice Mayor Berex Abalos, Engr. Rodolfo “Boy” Dion, councilor Charlene Joy Flores, Fourth District Board Member Jeremy Agerico Rosario and SK Pangasinan Federation President John Christopher Arcinue who donated trophies.

Mabuhay po kayo.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Tell and bring forth your case; yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the Lord? And there is no other God besides Me, a just God and a Savior; there is none besides Me. “Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. ISAIAH 45: 21, 22

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