Palaro golden girl joins Tarlac greats

TARLAC CITY — A 16-year-old girl from a poor family has joined Tarlac’s list of athletic heroes, as she even broke the sprint record of former titlist Nancy Navalta, in the recently concluded Palarong Pambansa 2003 in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

On Monday, Gov. Jose "Aping" Yap and the government employees accorded Agnes Gacusan a hero’s welcome at the capitol building, as the provincial chief executive also extended to her a monetary reward.

Gacusan, a resident of the depressed rural village of Barangay Nipaco in Paniqui town, won the gold medal in the 100-meter, 200-meter and four by two relay events in the nationwide sports event held last Oct. 25 to 29.

She also bagged the bronze medal in the Palaro’s long jump competition.

"You made us proud. You are Tarlac’s new hero," Yap told Gacusan when they met Monday morning at his office.

Gacusan’s hand-time of 11.52 broke Navalta’s 11.90 mark.

Yap said that his office will extend further support to the young athlete, as Gacusan told the governor that she intends to also join the country’s national team in international sports competitions.

According to the governor, Gacusan "has joined the league of Tarlaqueño sports heroes," which, he said, includes billiards legend Francisco "Django" Bustamante, equestrienne Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, marathoner Rey Antoque and cyclist Merculio Ramos.