Colorful and successful Mapandan bikefest
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
I WAS invited as race consultant to the Mapandan bikefest last March 25 to assist and observe the event closely knowing that majority of the 76 contestants were young and amateur riders, largely inexperienced in this kind of event. The 42-kilometer bikefest was initially dubbed as “2023 Mayor Vega Cup Mountain Bike Cycling Challenge” in conjunction with the celebration of Mapandan town fiesta, and exclusively for Mapandanians. It ran through the town’s Barangays Aserda, Torres, Primicias, Lambayan, St. Maria and Poblacion where the event started and finished in front of Mapandan Municipal Hall.
Before flagging off the 76 participants, the sports-minded Mayor Karl Christian Vega surprised everyone at the starting line when he announced officially renaming the bikefest as “First Mamerto Eden, Sr. Memorial Race” to honor Mapandan’s multi-staged national champion of the coveted 1958 Tour of Luzon crown.
I doff my hat for him for his big respect to the late hombre who brought national honors to the town. Eden was the only fellow who carried the flag of the tiny third-class municipality of Mapandan in national sport competitions. His son and my cumpadre Mamerto Eden Jr. (Mang Amy” to his kabaleyans and friends) wanted and attempted to follow the footsteps of his father as a cyclist but unfortunately failed. However, my cumpadre Amy was successful in politics. He was elected as Mapandan town’s councilor.
Yes, the old Eden was not only a one-time individual winner of the multi-stage event but he was my three-time former teammate in the Pangasinan squad during the 15-day 1965 and the 16-day 1966 and 1967 Tour of Luzon era. He contributed a lot to our Pangasinan team’s performances that resulted in our winning the prestigious team tiara, thrice.
The March 25 two-category bikefest started at 8:30 a.m. with the 40 years old and above category first after one trial run to familiarize themselves with the route. The top five winners were: Champion – Fernando Flores (Brgy Primicias), 2nd place – Rey Lagan (Brgy Aserda), 3rd place – Jovan Zarate (Brgy Nilombot), 4th place – Michael Villuan (Brgy Nilombot) and 5th place – Gubert Veloria (Brgy Apaya).
The 17 to 39 years old category: Champion – Kevin Erasquin (Brgy Jimenez), 2nd place –Julian Mejia (Brgy Primicias), 3rd place – Mark Tolentino (Brgy Primicias), 4th place – Jhamie Juanatas (Brgy Amanoaoac) and 5th place – Sebastian Mariana (Brgy Primicias).
Of course, the top five winners received cash prizes and medals courtesy of the energetic and boyish looking Mayor Vega. And despite some obstacles and glitches during the race and after the race, the affair was very colorful and successful. I wish and hope that there will be another race next year with sports-minded Mayor Vega at the helm. Many say that a political leader of any position will surely influence the hearts of the youths if he/she is a sports-minded person. Mangaldan former Comelec executive officer Johnny Valencia, a bona fide resident of Barangay Poblacion, Mapandan and a sports fan unabashedly predicted a nine-year service of Vega as chief executive of Mapandan being one who loves to conduct sports activities in the town. Yes, I agree, sans doubt.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. JOHN 19: 33-34
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