Sportsman in action Oscar "Boying" Rodriguez, Jr. 'Silent, but efficient worker'

CEBU, Philippines - He has done so much for Cebu sports but self-effacing a person he is, he perfers to stay out of the limelight. He's the type who let his action speaks, not words. That is the unique trait of Oscar "Boying" Rodriguez, Jr.

He has already staged various events, some international in scope, but it did not stop Rodriguez from pushing himself to introduce something new to boost the Queen City of the South as a premiere sports destination.

Before he was known in the sporting world because of his passion for mountainbike, Rodriguez was already into sports during his teenage days. A black-belter in taekwondo, he was also actively involved in running.

When the waves of mountainbike splashed into the shores of Cebu, Rodriguez played an integral role by being part of the Philippine Amateur Cycling Association (now the Philcycling) together with his uncle, former Danao City Mayor Ramon “ Nito” Durano III.

It was under his able leadership that Danao became the country’s mountainbike capital having hosted the most number of national and international competitions in the history of Phl cycling. At that time, Cebu was also the home, the sanctuary of national players.

When he was elected councilor in his beloved hometown, Rodriguez effected meaningful changes in Danao's sports landscape.

Tasked to head the city's sports commission, his tireless efforts paved the way for the construction of a rubberized track oval and a concrete grandstand in Danao, which was named Ramon Durano, Sr. Memorial Sports Complex in memory of their late grandfather.

Having such a facility enabled Danao to host the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Meet two years ago.

Under his watch, Rodriguez created a training pool of athletes that produced several honors not only in the regional level, but also in the Palarong Pambansa to the once medal-less division.

In other fronts, Rodriguez is very supportive of adventure racing, airsoft, and triathlon among others.

As of the moment, Rodriguez is keeping his hands busy as Cebu coordinator of the 2012 Xterra Philippines slated on March 17-18 in Liloan, Cebu.

A bigger task looms ahead of Rodriguez being part of the organizing committee of the Ironman Philippines 70.3 on August 5.

In between the two big events bankrolled by private corporations, there's the Cebu swing of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP)-sanctioned National Age-Group Triathlon Series at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa on March 31 to April 1.

“We will focus first on triathlon. We're hoping that the triathlon events that we are hosting will also lead us to the discovery of new talents for the Philippine Team," said the TRAP-7 executive regional director. - THE FREEMAN