Big day in Mangatarem for sports – and roots

By Al S. Mendoza

ANYTHING about my town is almost always grist for column.

That has been the template since I started here in 2003.

Remember that time?

I was in Bacolod covering the PAL Interclub when Jun Velasco, my greatest buddy from Dagupan, sent me a text-message.

“We r waiting 4 ur column now,” read Jun V’s text-message.  “Ur deadline 1pm.  Ermin (Garcia) anxious 2 C ur first salvo.”

It was almost 12:30 p.m. that day.

Pounding away at my laptop at the PAL Interclub Press Room, I beat my 1 p.m. deadline in the nick of time.

And I paid dearly for it.  My laptop blinked almost endlessly afterwards, as though protesting the furious pounding it had absorbed from my 10 machine gun fingers.

I mentioned in that column about the need to finish my column in 30 minutes and then e-mail it pronto!

It merited attention from the inimitable Kuya Gerry Garcia, who wrote in his then well-loved column here about my “uncanny ability” to beat a deadline.

When praise comes from Kuya Gerry, a pillar in Philippine journalism, you are made.

Thanks again, Kuya Gerry.

About my laptop?

It “died” after a week or so.

Oh, well, hazards of the trade.

There is nothing more important than being conscious always about your roots

I love writing about Mangatarem because I wasn’t only born there.  I was raised there as well.  Studied there from Grade 1 to Fourth Year.

What I do at our backyard on Gen. Luna St., like simply sweeping the fallen leaves or watering the plants, can be fodder quickly for a column here.

Anything that concerns my town, I relish writing about it.

Like today, Jan. 24, when 60 intrepid souls mount their bikes for a cycling marathon from Mangatarem to the 7 other towns of Pangasinan’s second district and back.

I’m proud that Mangatarem has been chosen to be the blast-off point of today’s bikathon, a feeling immediately shared by Mayor Teddy Cruz when I broached up the idea.

No less than Pol Bataoil, the retired distinguished general from Libsong, Lingayen, will sponsor it in a gallant move to shore up once more the ranks of Pangasinan cyclists who are known nationwide as world-caliber in this sport.

Jess Garcia, the legendary three-time national road race champ to include his dramatic 1973 Tour of Luzon triumph, is chief organizer.

“I thank Mayor Cruz, Pareng Al, for his total support,” said Pareng Jess (I had stood as baptismal godfather to a son of his). “I salute the mayor for his love of sports.”

Ceferino “Pino” Tengasantos, a balikbayan from Hawaii who makes it a point to be home yearly to attend the town fiesta (Jan. 30), will assist Primo Pol at the starting gun together with Joel Cruz, the hard-working town administrator of Mangatarem.  Of course, Mayor Ted Cruz will also be there.

Of the 60 starters today, 8 are from Mangatarem: Romeo Calo, Ronald dela Cruz, George Ferrera, Rudy Anselmo, Freddie Nalon, Jay Lesther Marti, Romeo Alamillo and Rommel Riparip.  They are members of the Mangatarem Cycling Club headed by Ed and Amy Ayento. (I admire your big heart for cycling, Ed and Amy.)

My advice to Mangatarem’s Elite 8?

It’s not in the winning, but in the competing.

Do your best because your best effort is already your gold medal.

Remember: If you failed to win but you did your best, you are my champ.

Good luck to everybody but, here’s hoping my kailyan will win.

Sorry for being a rabid pro-Mangataremenian.

I’m just being pro-roots.

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