Pangasinan cyclists did it again

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

FOR the first time in world cycling history, Philippines played the big role in staging a prestigious cycling event. The “2016 World University Cycling Championship,” held in Tagaytay City March 17- 20, was hosted by the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP), sponsored by the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).^] And for the first time in this annual two-wheeled event, two of our country’s best bets brought honors to our country by winning one gold and one bronze medal. PH mainstay Ryan Cayubit of Marikina City won the gold in the criterium race, beating the European favorites and World veteran riders Alexander Weifenbach and Australia’s Cyrus Monk. In the distaff side, PH top female rider, our very own Marella Salamat of Bugallon won a bronze medal in the 80-kilometer race topped by Romy Kasper of Germany.

I am happy and proud to note that after the retirement of Southeast Asia Games gold medalist Marites Bitbit of Malasiqui, our province found another potential international cyclist in Salamat. I saw her win the gold medal in the women’s individual-time-trial Singapore Southeast Asia Games last year. Our Bugallon lass is evidently a potential medalist in the 2018 Asian Games. I do wish and hope that the municipal government of Bugallon as well as our provincial government will support her because she has the potential to bring more laurels for the province. Paging the Espino families. This is our sport, mga ginoo.

In the national scene, Ronald Oranza of Villasis whom I consider as our best cyclist in the province today also snapped honors for the province by conquering the five-day Visayas leg of the 2016 Ronda Pilipinas. Oranza, 23, landed second overall in the Ronda’s Mindanao leg last month won by Jan Paul Morales. Ronda’s Luzon leg starts on April 3 in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and our Pangasinan boys headed by Oranza are confident to win the title because this is their own turf especially the short but crucial Dagupan City to Baguio City fourth stage. Let’s wait and see. I will be there to lend moral support to the Pangasinan riders especially my town mates, the Carino siblings Joshua and Daniel.

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I was saddened by the bad news from my cycling friends Albert Poore and Arnel Sanchez of Olongapo City that two of my co-cyclists, Winfrin Arabe of Castillejos, 22, and John Paulo Castillo, 17, of Subic met their untimely deaths in a road accident. According to Poore and Sanchez, the two young pedal-pushers and five other cyclists were on their way to Iba, Zambales on board three tricycles around 4:00 a.m. on March 19 in barangay Consuelo Norte, San Marcelino, Zambales to join the Mango Festival riding when they were hit by a wayward truck. They were run over and the truck that caught fire fell on them that caused their deaths instantly. The five were taken to the hospital but are now out of danger. They met their deaths not riding their bicycles but riding a tricycle, how ironic. My deepest sympathies to the families of the two. May they rest in peace.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. JAMES 1: 26-27

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