By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

 

BESIDES being the most strenuous sport, many say that cycling is one of the riskiest sports that this world ever produced. Yes, I agree, sans doubt. The two-wheeled sport already killed thousands of avid cyclists all over the world either as their means of transportation, their means of exercise, during intensive training and even during actual competitions. In fact, during my 32 years of cycling days, I experienced some misfortunes myself during my intensive training and as a competitor. The most unforgettable incident was during the 1968 Antipolo Cycling Grand Prix when I suffered a bad spill in Taytay, Rizal. I suffered a big cut on my forehead and profusely bled that forced me to quit the one-day race because I had to be rushed to a clinic. Luckily, with God’s help, it was not a death threatening injury. It’s part of the game, ‘ika nga.

And lately, I was sad to know that cycling victimized another rider last January 25 when a six-wheeler delivery truck accidentally run-over fatally a 13-year-old boy named Kenneth Manzano of Barangay Tanggal-Sawang, Umingan town along the national highway in Barangay Batakil, Pozorrubio. The boy died instantly. According to my reliable source from Eastern Pangasinan, the only four-time national Tour champion Santy Barnachea, the victim’s town mate, Kenneth was with three riders including his older brother named Jhanrick Manzano when the freak accident happened. Barnachea said, according to his sources from among his co-cyclists, Kenneth fell on the road when he lost his balance upon hitting a moderate size stone along the said highway. He was accidently run-over by a speeding delivery truck. His head was seriously injured that caused his sudden death. Barnachea also said the boy was a potential rider winning some boys’ races in Eastern Pangasinan and even in Tarlac and was on intensive training when the accident happened. Kenneth planned to join the 14 year-old-and-below category races in the coming Philippine Road Bike National Games scheduled on February 5-9 in Tagaytay City. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Celso Manzano, Jr., Kenneth was set to join the criterium and the individual-time-trial races.

 “Ading ko, kung nasaan ka man ngayon sana maging masaya ka ha. Magpahinga ka na ading ko, gabayan mo ako palagi sa pag-eensayo ko, ha? Palagi mong bantayan sila MAMA/PAPA pati sila ading natin ha? Huwag kang mag-alala itutuloy ko tong pagba-bike natin, gagawin ko lahat para maipanalo ko lahat ng sasalihan kong karera, lahat ng panalo ko i-aalay ko sayo, ading ko. Hanggang sa muli ading ko,” said his emotional brother Jhanrick.

Barnachea was right. Kenneth was still very young and already showed a potential caliber to become a national gold medalist and as a professional champion like Barnachea who was his idol. I guess he wants to follow his footsteps not only to lift our province’s image but to leave a Manzano legacy supremacy in this two-wheeled sport. Unfortunately, he’s gone, gone for good and our province lost a golden athlete. Interment slated on February 3.

My heartfelt and deepest condolence to the bereaved family.

Likewise my heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family of former San Fabian town chief executive and ex-Pangasinan board member Atty. Mojamito R. Libunao, Jr. who just passed away last week after a lingering illness. RIP, Attorney. We will miss you.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” GENESIS 3: 19

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