Going further with the Ford Forza Triathlon Team
MANILA, Philippines — The great American explorer Richard E. Byrd once said, “Few men during their lifetime come anywhere near exhausting the resources dwelling within them... There are deep wells of strength that are never used.”
He said that from experience, as he reached heights as a great, pioneering aviator and explorer who led aircraft flights across the Atlantic Ocean, a part of the Arctic Ocean and a segment of the Antarctic Plateau.
I second this assumption of most people not getting to tap into their inner unexplored potential, although every now and then, there are those who rise above adversity and find themselves doing so; there are those who simply find the discipline to make their ambitious goals a reality.
Take for example, the Ford Forza Triathlon Team — a peculiar mix of individuals from various backgrounds, with different backstories. The team came together back in 2015, under the leadership of Gianluca Guidicelli — businessman and father of The Philippine STAR Wheels’ very own Matteo Guidicelli.
Gianluca put together a group of select individuals whom he felt ‘could tell a story.’ He then encouraged them to train for, and participate in local triathlons, regardless of their varying fitness backgrounds (or lack thereof). Soon enough, Ford Philippines came into the picture as team sponsor, and formed the Ford Forza Foundation — a foundation that would support this triathlon team and its diverse members, by primarily providing a sponsorship fee to take care of the team’s training needs, such as equipment, logistics and personal gear.
Naturally, Ford also functioned as the team’s mobile logistics partner — designating the Ranger and the Everest as the team’s official vehicle (to carry their equipment, and move them from one place to the other) —because as the slogan goes, they are “Built Tough.”
Since then, the team has grown 20 members large, ranging from 10 to 50 years old! And members not only included TV personalities such as Matteo Guidicelli, Ivan Carapiet and sports correspondent Dyan Castillejo, but also cancer survivor Atty. Joey Torres, businessmen Romeo Castro and Tyrone Tan, not to mention 2013 Pinoy Biggest Loser participants, brothers Ralph David Du and Yves Christian Du. They, among a few other eager teammates and triathletes-in-the-making, comprise the Ford Forza triathlon team whose advocacy was always to support willing-to-be Filipino athletes who have a passion for sports, but lack the means to compete.
“We are excited to partner with the Ford Forza triathlon team who has showcased their commitment and dedication to the sport over the years,” explained Ford Philippines’ AVP for Marketing Prudz Castillo, during a press conference held in Makati recently.
“For years, not only have they gone further, they have also served as an inspiration to a bigger majority because of their life stories and journeys and their motivation to make it big with the sport,” he said.
The team already competed in a few races earlier this year, including the Xterra Danao last April and the 5150 Subic Bay Philippines just this June. Additionally, the Ford Forza team hosted ‘Giro d’Luca’ — an annual cycling event held in Bohol — and almost 1,000 people joined the event earlier this year.
When asked about the team’s goals for the rest of the year, Gianluca told The STAR that “We want to position ourselves as high as we can! But most importantly, we want to make sure everyone finishes.” And this made total sense, considering that different people of different physical capacities comprise the Ford Forza Team. “For starters, we have the Du brothers, and coming where they’re from, it is already a winning situation for them to finish the race,” he explained.
Gianluca also emphasized that he wants to invoke team discipline in order to finish strong. “Even if you have to crawl, I don’t mind,” he said, explaining that for the team members, crossing the finish line is the fulfillment of all their sacrifices. “Winning is to win your own battles... it is relative to the person,” he stressed.
Case in point — the story of cancer survivor, Atty. Joey Torres. Torres told The STAR that he was already into the sport even way back in the 90’s, when triathlons did not garner the same amount of participation as it does today. It was in 2014 however, when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He then had to be hospitalized for a long time, “Nasa hospital pa lang ako, and I already felt my muscles wasting away,” he shared.
Fortunately, he beat cancer and immediately tried getting back into his fitness regimen as soon as he recovered. “Joining the team was a motivator for me,” he shared. “I would have retired, if not for them.They gave me my second, third, fourth wind!”
Torres also explained that this time, he has two personal goals: “And that is to finish the race smiling. And to look good in a tri-suit!”
The Ford Forza Team trains everyday, and each member follows his own program. Their most recent event was last weekend’s Ironman 70.3 held in Cebu, where the team had a triumphant race.
When asked about Ford Philippines’ support, Gianluca told The STAR, “They’ve been so great since 2015! Probably the best supporter in a triathlon team. They not only fully support us with vehicles, but are also partly responsible for our visibility to the public.”
Lastly, when we queried Atty. Torres about his thoughts on the Ford Ranger, he described it as “very versatile, easy to maintain, and quite importantly (since he likes things neat) – easy to clean!”
Thus, like Richard Byrd implied – there is great strength that sleeps within us. Do not let your life pass without at least trying to wield it! Some people may consider their participation in competitive sports as a near-impossibility, but once you make that conscious decision – you might just surprise yourself!
Aim high. Go further.
