Sports Eye

By October 28, 2007Opinion, Sports Eye

Athletes, the politicians

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

POLITICS is a very big deal in the Philippines, then and especially now. Movie actors, actresses, and athletes have been jumping into the political arena, using their popularity as an advantage to win a seat of their choice.

Some of them have luckily won, and some have not been fortunate.

In sports, the trend of athlete-turned-politican was started by the late Berlin Olympics cager Ambrosio Padilla, a Lingayen native, bagging a senatorial seat during the 60s.

Of course, I voted for him, being a province mate. He was a brilliant lawyer and fiscalizer during the early days of former Presidents Diosdado Macapagal and Ferdinand Marcos.

Three more national athletes, namely cagers Robert Jaworski and Freddie Webb and bowler Tito Sotto also won senatorial seats.

Now they’re all gone from their second career, defeated, after serving 12 years as lawmakers.

Another well-known cager, Crispa’s ‘best blocker’ Philip Cezar, was also lucky to be elected as councilor of San Juan and eventually became vice mayor of the same place.

Same thing happened to Cezar’s teammate Abe King who was elected as town’s dad of Noveleta, Cavite.

In cycling, we have a lot of national figures who turned politicians. Some of them were also lucky and some not.

The lucky ones were  former Marlboro Tour campaigner Juancho Ramores, who, in his first try running for municipal councilor in his town Talisay, Camarines Norte, topped the slate and became the vice mayor when the town’s veem died due to health failure.

I also joined the bandwagon of athletes in politics starting in 1967 when I was elected as barrio councilman in my birthplace Buenlag, Mangaldan at the age of 21. (I think I was one of the youngest councilmen ever elected in the entire archipelago then).

I did not run for reelection in 1971.

But 11 years later, I made a good comeback in 1982 and was elected anew as barangay kagawad of the same place.

Because of my new citizenship I acquired from Uncle Sam in 1984, I was forced to resign and quit politics for good.

Another professional cyclist (outside Pangasinan) who joined politics and was fortunate to win a barangay seat was the three-time Marlboro Tour first runner-up Placido Valdez of Balite, Cabanatuan City.

Back in Pangasinan, other barangay kagawad lucky winners were 1975 Tour of PICCA (Philippine Industrial Commercial Cycling Association) champion Samson Carino and his younger brother1984 Marlboro Tour titlist Ruben Carino of Landas and Osiem, Mangaldan, respectively, and Marlboro Tour veteran Florante Solomon of Sta. Maria, San Jacinto

The unlucky ones were 1989 Marlboro Tour king Gerardo Igos for vice mayor in Atimonan, Quezon; 2005 SEA Games Muay-Thai gold medalist Viktoria Agbayani  for mayor in Sual; 1981 SEA Games silver medalist Emeterio Natavio for barangay kagawad in Guesang, Mangaldan; and the late 1983 Marlboro Tour titleholder Romeo Bonzo for barangay chairman in Poblacion, Sual.

Romeo Bonzo’s older brother, Modesto, is seeking the village chair this year which his brother failed to achieve.

Latest survey reaching me says the former policeman and 1976 Marlboro Tour champ Modesto has a big edge over his five rivals.

Sualsalenians say his closest foe for the seat is the youthful Guillermo Ahorro. Incumbent chair Jose Sabido is also running for the second time.

I hope and wish my former cycling colleague, Modesto , would  achieves his second big goal, this time to serve his village mates

Who knows, after the barangay chairmanship he could be the next town chief executive, after John Arcinue.

Mahirap magsalita nang patapos, ika nga. But that will be a long shot.

Well, hindi masama ang mangarap, gaya nang kasabihan.

Remember, he brought big honor to the province and particularly his town, Sual.

That’s very true.

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/sports-eye/
Readers may reach columnist at biking.jess@yahoo.com . For reactions to this column, click “Send MESSAGES, OPINIONS, COMMENTS” on default page.)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments

Next Post