Pangasinan’s unsurpassed PH cycling records, heroes
(Second of two series)

By Jesus A. Garcia, Jr.

DUE to space limitations in my last week’s column, and as requested by some of our cycling avid enthusiasts, especially my friends in Houston, Texas led by San Carlos City-born Blann Caguioa of the Siklista Houston Club and Mangaldañon Alex Moulic Lopez of Lorret de Mar, Spain, here is the continuation of the list of some unsurpassed accomplishments and records of our local cyclists in the field of national multi-stage racings in the Philippines:

11. Pangasinan is the only province in the whole archipelago that produced two brothers to become Tour champions. Sual born Modesto Bonzo in 1976 Tour of Luzon and Romeo Bonzo in 1983 Marlboro Tour, and Mangaldan natives Samson Cariño in 1975 Tour of PICCA and Ruben Cariño in 1984 Marlboro Tour.

12. Pangasinan is the only province in the country that produced the most number of major Tours first runner-up finishes: Rufino Gabot of Manaoag in 1956 Tour of Luzon; Mamerto Eden of Mapandan in 1959 Tour of Luzon; Edmundo de Guzman of Lingayen in 1960 Tour of Luzon; Virgilio Delin of Manaoag in 1964 Tour of Luzon; Jesus Garcia, Jr. of Mangaldan in 1965 and 1967 Tour of Luzon, 1975 and 1976 Tour of PICCA; Cesar Catambay of Mangaldan in 1973 and 1974 Tour of Luzon and 1983 Marlboro Tour; Tranquilino de Vera of Tayug in 1979 Marlboro Tour; Jacinto Sicam of San Manuel in 1980 Marlboro Tour; Fermin Zabala of Bautista in 1981 Marlboro Tour; Ruben Cariño of Mangaldan in 1977 Tour of PICCA, 1982 and 1985 Marlboro Tour; Arnel Quirimit of Pozorrubio in 1996 Marlboro Tour and 2002 Tour of Calabarzon; Ronald Oranza of Villasis in 2019 and 2020 Ronda Pilipinas.

    13. Binalonan son Samson Etrata established the closest victory in any major Tour in the Philippines by winning the 1975 Tour of Luzon by just 33 seconds over Paquito Rivas of Samar.

    14. Jesus Garcia, Jr. was the farthest first runner-up plum winner in any major Tour in the country with a deficit of more than 42 minutes over Cornelio Padilla, Jr. in 1967 Tour of Luzon.

    15. And unfortunately, Pangasinan has also the greatest number of champions that already passed away namely; Mamerto Eden of Mapandan, Teodorico Rimarim of Basista, Jacinto Sicam of San Manuel, Romeo Bonzo of Sual and Pepito Calip of Binalonan.

    My two columns cited the records of our Pangasinan riders who brought multiple honors to our province since the birth of Philippine cycling in 1955. And I honestly believe that more cycling laurels to come in the succeeding years. This is our sport.

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My heartfelt sympathy to the family of former Olympian cyclist Domingo Villanueva who died last week due to cardiac arrest. The Samar born road racer Villanueva, 56, fondly called “Waray” by his co-cyclists, friends and relatives, represented our country in the 1988 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games and two-time gold winner in Southeast Asia Games, 1981 and 1983. Villanueva is survived by his wife Rosalina and two children.

Also to the family of former Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) President Salvador ‘Buddy” Andrada who passed away last April 8 due to massive cardiac arrest. The retired Philippine Army colonel Andrada, 84, also served as Chef de Mission of the Philippine team to the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Andrada was the first and the only Filipino (so far) to head the Asian Tennis Federation. He is survived by his lawyer wife Milagros and three children.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: For I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book. REVELATION 22: 18

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