Sports Eye
Celebrating my birthdays via bikefests
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
WHEN I turned 71 years old on December 18 2016, I decided to organize my own
bicycle road race to celebrate my birthday. I purposely organized a bikefest that
year not as a ‘money-making’ event but because number 71 is memorable and significant
to me. I was officially assigned to carry this number, pinned on my cycling
jersey as the skipper of our province’s eight-man Pangasinan squad in the fabled
1973 Tour of Luzon. Number 71 became popular among the sports fanatics then and
even juetengeros were invoking it. I vividly recall how number 71 was called
out in many bingo games from the tambiolo, the ‘caller’ called out “Garcia” to
refer to No. 71 under letter ‘O’. It was really hugely significant because it
enhanced my popularity after the Tour during that year.
Yes, my races in
2016, 2017 and 2018 always started and ended in my place Buenlag, Mangaldan
where I was born and raised. The bikefests were perennially sponsored by my
cycling friend, noodles’ tycoon Alex Billan who owns the well-known Excellent
Noodles and supported by Gov. Amado “Pogi” Espino, III and the sports-minded
Lingayen’s chief executive Leopoldo N. Bataoil.
Dubbed this year as the “4th Jess Garcia, Jr. 74 Years of Excellent
Life in Cycling,” I changed the race course and conducted the fourth edition in
the Baywalk Area in Lingayen for a change of ambiance for three reasons: Principally to venerate and reminisce my father’s
landing in the Lingayen Gulf together with Gen. Douglas MacArthur on January 9,
1945 during the Second World War, then to help promote the area designed by
then Congressman Bataoil, and also to avoid usual traffic congestions in the
old route.
While there was one spill that happened in
the five-category events, in the 17 year-old and below division where a 16 –year
old rider (I failed to get his name) run-over a stray dog along the course and suffered
minor bruises and contussions, the event was successful. My big
thanks to the municipal medical team sent by Mayor Bataoil for its prompt
action. And, of course, first and foremost to our Almighty God and Mama Mary
for making the bikefest successful. Cash prizes and medals were awarded to the winners
from a field of 103 bikers.
Here are the lists
of winners in all categories:
17 Years Old and Below: Champion,
John Paul Laureta (Sto. Tomas, Pang); Second, Jeffrey Garay (Bugallon); Third, Junel
Tacutaco (Tarlac City); Fourth, Aljim Martin (Villasis); Fifth, Daniel Jay Fariñas (Binalonan).
50-59 Years Old: Champion, Alex Billan
(Metro Manila); Second, A.J. Sotto (Metro Manila); Third, Amboy Cortez (Metro
Manila); Fourth, Hector Padilla (Urdaneta City); Fifth, Joe Maramba (Dagupan
City).
60 Years Old and Above: Champion, Elpidio Untalan (Metro Manila); 2nd , David Jugo (San Fabian); 3rd, Archie T. Nanquil (Dagupan City); 4th, Tony Agno (Villasis); 5th, Alexander Daoatin (Urbiztondo). Special prize: Rosalie dela Cruz of Natividad, lone girl entry.
18-39 Years Old: Champion, Ronald Oranza (Villasis); 2nd, Edgar Nieto (Dagupan City); 3rd, Bonijoe Martin (Villasis); 4th, Ronnie Quita (Camiling, Tarlac); 5th, Dominic Perez, (Sto. Tomas).
40-49 Years Old: Champion, Jesus Garcia (Sta. Maria.); 2nd, Reynaldo Navarro (San Jacinto); 3rd, Marlon Bartolome (Tarlac); 4th, Resty Aragon, Jr. (Metro Manila); 5th, Santy Barnachea (Umingan).
Finally, my thanks, too, to Alex M. Lopez of Spain, Atty. Ronnie Redila, Engr. Editha Manuel, Engr. John Garcia, my Cumpadre Benjamin Rosal, my sister Mrs. Lorna Evans and my children in Guam, Texas and California. Mabuhay po kayo and God bless us all. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE.
* * * *
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.LUKE 2: 40
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