TOUR NI FIGER II (Jul 12/13)
Congratulations to Al Figer and is family, for bringing his Tour ni Figer here in Cebu for the second time. Al, a native of Gandara, Samar, is a nurse working in the US who visits the Philippines once every 2 years with his wife Donya and 3 kids. Along the way, he sponsors races in Samar, Leyte and in Manila.
The TnFig, an executive event, consisted of an ITT at the Mandaue Rekla and a road race- Danao-Lugo-Danao.
RESULTS: CAT B 1- BOY PAGNANWON, 2-ORLA TORING, 3- PHILIP SAINZ. CAT C- 1- ALLAN DUNGOG, 2- RAFFY BACAYO, 3- LARRY “RED BARON” STAHLMAN KOB TOUR (Jul 19)
This race was made through the efforts of Ome Rodriguez and the hardest race I’ve done in a long time- 95km!!! The race started at the Danao Foundation going to Ilihan (km 81), passing through the climbs of Lugo. The race finish, the 2km climb atop the Danao golf course, was really evil, mind you, but a great preparation for the KIA IRONLEGS
RESULTS CAT B: 1- ORLAN TORING, 2- BOY PAGNANAWON, 3- JONAS PONSECA, 4- LITO QUEBEC, 5- RAMON ESPINOSA
CAT C: GARY FERNANDEZ, 2-TOTO LIM, 3- HEIDE ESMALIN, 4- ROMMEL SONGAHID, 5- BRETT HARRINGTON
KIA IRONLEGS II (Jul 26)
Congratulations to KIA Bohol, race director Rey Cimeni and all the sponsors for hosting the KIA IRONLEGS II, a bicycle road race that leaves you wanting for more. The race, from Tagbilaran to the famed Chocolate Hills of Carmen, Bohol, is just 55km, short even by executive racing standards. But the degree of difficulty isn’t measured by the distance of the race but by the climbs just before and along the man made forest in Bilar town.
There were 120 participants coming from Cebu, Leyte, Mindanao, Manila and from as far as Dagupan. Last years edition was fun but this year didn’t disappoint either!
Bohol is a perfect cycling getaway- little traffic, a folksy but booming tourism industry, great roads, great beaches and very hospitable people. I grew up in Tagbilaran and I didn’t realize this until my friends keep telling me what a beautiful place Bohol is. I can’t wait for IRONLEGS III!
UPCOMING RACES: Tour of Catmon (Aug 9), KOB race to Buak (Aug 15), Tour de Ez (Sep 6)
The Greatest Yellow Jersey
I have to say a few words about Cory. I remember those heady days of February, 1986. I was still in my last year of college and news that the dictator had just turned tails left everybody in a celebratory mood. A bunch of my classmates were packed inside Jethro Sullano’s jiffy and we took part in an impromptu motorcade along the city streets. I don’t think we fully comprehend what we were doing there but it was fun and it was noisy!
In those days, Filipinos were the darlings of the world. We thought that we could do no wrong. Twenty years later, we were wrong. The only thing right was the strong, classy figure of Corazon Aquino, a great woman who endured great suffering- watched her husband go to jail, lived in exile, watched her husband killed and because of circumstance, was thrust into a role she was never prepared for (and graciously gave it up when it was over). I thought she’d lived into a ripe old age, happily watching her grandkids grow up. But no, circumstance wouldn’t leave her alone and how she’s gone.
Cory Aquino, the ultimate Yellow Jersey, RIP. (THE FREEMAN)