Ornopia launches new racing season

CEBU, Philippines - Cebuano businessman-sportsman Lou Ornopia formally launched the inaugural leg of the 2015 MS Motosuit Motocross Series billed as the 17th Ornopia Cup set for April 12 in Calambua, San Remigio town north of Cebu and along that line he couldn't help but to reminisce the humble beginnings of the annual sporting extravaganza he spearheaded nearly two decades ago.

In a press conference at Pino Restaurant, Ornopia said he started from scratch in organizing such kind of event back in the late '90s and his heart always overflows with joy and pride knowing that it has not only become a breeding ground of champion riders but is now also one of the most-sought after races among daredevils  all over the country.

"I started from nothing, but I persevered because I really want to plant something that will be remembered," said Ornopia, a one-time 'Sportsman of the Year' awardee by the Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC).

Very well said.

Aside from setting up the longest and best-run motocross circuit in the Vis-Min region that has already produced several stars in the racetack such as Jon-jon Adlawan, John Flores, and JC Obligado to name a few, Ornopia takes pride for having the only regular motocross TV in the whole archipelago.

Aired over CCTN Channer 47 at 10 a.m. on Saturdays with replays at 10 p.m. every Sunday, the weekly television special features action-packed motocross show.  Its must-see segment is the Motocross Rider Life Story (MX-RLS) that chronicles every rider's journey in this extreme sport.

Though success is already in the palm of his hand, Ornopia is still faced with some trials and tribulations that at one point he decided to stop organizing races for the whole year of 2013.

But that did not last long. Buoyed by his flaming passion for motocross fueled with strong public clamor, Ornopia relaunched his series last year, which turned out to be an overwhelming success with six legs all in all.

"Motocross breathes life to my being. I can't live without it," he said.

For Ornopia, he owes everything to motocross - from being an established business to a well-respected race organizer and award-winning sportsman.

In launching his upcoming series, Ornopia brought along with him some champion riders in the mold of Ruscel Gungob, Jonathan Cuyos, JC Obligado, BJ Pepito and the very young Jeanette Connock Olanda, who, at five years old, is probably the youngest girl rider in the country today.

"Being involved in motocross entails a lot of effort and sacrifice, not to mention the financial side of it. That is why is it very important that we have to recognize the fruits of our hardships in organizing races all these years," said Ornopia while looking at each champion rider.

Ornopia will formally honor the top individual achievers of his 2014 series in another grand ceremony before the month ends at Teatro Casino of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.— EBV (FREEMAN)