By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

 

I WAS born a week before Christmas Day and that’ one of the two reasons why my first name is Jesus. The second, it’s also the first name of my father, Jesus Rivera Garcia, the late Mexican blooded U.S. army veteran hombre who came here during the 2nd World War and served under Gen. Douglas MacArthur. That’s what my mother, the former Adelaida Aquino and my grandmother the former Fortunata Morales both told me when I asked them why I look mestizo and not a typical Filipino like what my elementary classmates also kept asking me.

Yes, I’m a child born out-of-wedlock after the war. This was a dilemma that I faced with knowing my beloved mother encountered humiliation and there were the nasty remarks about me being “bastardo” and sometimes a “souvenir.” I can’t  forget those words because these hurt us at that time. Yes, that was before, but no longer during this generation. The disparaging remarks eventually were lost in the minds of people.

Every Christmas, I hold a bikefest to celebrate my natal day as one of my ways to celebrate my golden day being an erstwhile national ruler of the two-wheeled sport, cycling. Fortunately, I have kind-hearted and cycling-minded benefactors, like Alex Billan, the proprietor of Philippines famous Excellent Noodles . Over the last few years, my good friend and also a cyclist, sponsored my event. This time, Alex is again willing to back up anew my annual event and it will be done this time exclusively for 50 years old and above or master/grandmaster category in cycling terminology. In fact, like last year, the 55-year-old Billan will also join the event which I believe he will enjoy since he considers cycling as one of his exercise routines. Yes, he’s one of a very few in the Philippines, a business entrepreneur who’s an active competitive cyclist.

The event will also be supported by my other good friend, the sports-minded Silvestre Rayos, Jr. of Lingayen who just came back from Uncle Sam’s land to spend his Christmas break here. Hopefully, the sports-buff Mangaldan Vice Mayor Mark Stephen de Venecia Mejia will also support my birthday cycling project.

Like last year, the short but taxing cycling road race dubbed this season as “JAG, Jr. 78^th Birthday Cycling Challenge” . It will start from across my house in Barangay Buenlag in Mangaldan town and will finish at the mountain top of Barangay Inmalog, San Fabian via barangays Gueguesangen, Malanay, Nilombot, Banaoang in Sta. Barbara, Barangay Catablan (junction) in Urdaneta City, to Mapandan via barangays Mawacat-Matulong, Lambayan, Torres, to San Jacinto via barangays Baloling, Sta. Maria (junction), Guibel, to San Fabian via barangays Anonang, Angio and finally via barangays Tocok, Bolasi before reaching the treacherous zigzag road of Inmalog with an approximate distance of 45 kilometers.

Of course, ideal prizes and medals for the top ten finishers are at stake for a maximum of 40 participants. Awarding of prizes will be held inside the big shade constructed under the administration of Congressman Christopher de Venecia, located at the mountain top of Barangay Inmalog. See you there, cycling fans.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ISAIAH 9: 6

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