Excellent Noodles proprietor Alex Billan saves the day
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
MORNING of March 3 when my son Jazy told me the news that the Mangaldan town fiesta bikefest dubbed “2023 Mayor Bona Cup Werweran ed Mangaldan” supposed to be held last March 12 was canceled by the town’s chief executive Bonafe de Vera Parayno due to financial constraint. That news exasperated me no end because the cancellation of the event will surely taint my image as a professional organizer in the two-wheeled event. I immediately called my cycling friend, noodles mogul Alex Billan and told him about my dilemma brought about by the cancellation of the event. I raised the possibility of continuing our planned cycling road race and call it “2023 Excellent Noodles Cycling Challenge.”
Aware that my reputation was at stake, he readily agreed to push through with the 54.7 kilometers event on March 10 with a simpler format. Yes, the bikefest was conducted in two categories, the master (40 -49 years old) and the grandmaster (50-and-above).
Sixty-six contestants answered the flag-off done by my Barangay Captain Silvestre Aquino from across my house at Ireneo Manarin St. in Barangay Buenlag. The route passed two barangays in Mangaldan, six barangays in Sta. Barbara, three barangays in Mapandan, two barangays in San Jacinto, San Fabian’s six barangays, back to Barangay Mabilao and Lipit, and finished at the top of the hill in Barangay Inmalog at Bikers’ Den where huge crowd of cycling enthusiasts eagerly waited at the finish line.
The top ten winners of each category were: Master Category-Champion: Jesus Garcia (Sta. Maria), 2nd: Joel Calderon (Guimba, Nueva Ecija), 3rd: Ryan Mendoza (Angeles City), 4th: Ariel Aves (Metro Manila-Excellent Noodles), 5th: Mario Bartolome (San Manuel, Tarlac), 6th -Vernon Amaranrto (Metro Manila-Excellent Noodles), 7th :Jefferson Valdez ( Asingan), 8th: Virgilio Muena (Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija), 9th: Raul Ellasus (Mangaldan) 10th: Joel Linda (San Fabian) .
Grandmaster Category – Champion: Romeo Camingao (Metro Manila-Excellent Noodles), 2nd: Johnny Armendez (Urdaneta City), 3rd: Joe Maramba (Dagupan City), 4th: Benjie Nituan (Binalonan), 5th: Juancho Bumagat (Angeles City), 6th: Joe Tacotaco (Angeles City), 7th: Ricky Zabala (Laoac), 8th: Toti Carpizo (San Fabian), 9th: Noel Menor (Angeles City), 10th: Alexander Billan (Metro Manila-Excellent Noodles).
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My big congrats to my grandson Jazy “JJ” Tirona Garcia, Jr. (Jazy,’s son), for bagging second place in the new sport called, “pushbike” during the celebration of San Manuel town fiesta held last March 12. Jazy said his 5-year-old JJ will strut his wares anew in Pozorrubio on March 26. Pushbike is a tiny bicycle that doesn’t have chain-wheel, pedals, brakes, chain and the rider merely pushes the bicycle. And the race is for five-year-old kids, unless the organizer amends the age limit. Mabuhay ka JJ. Always remember, you are a Garcia.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. PSLAMS 46: 1-2
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