Fil-Ams proud to run as Pinoys

LOS ANGELES — They have pursued their personal quest for sporting excellence. Now they’re sharing a common goal to heed the call of the country where they have long traced their roots.

This is the mission of the seven Filipino-American athletes who have confirmed their participation in the 2004 National Open track and field championships set June 1-4 at the Rizal Memorial track and field stadium.

The Fil-Ams are Krizia Apelar (100m, 200m, 400m), Breanne Bumanlag (100m and 200m sprints), Jenny Buncio (1,500m and 5,000m), Gary Cablayan (100m sprint and 400 intermediate hurdles), Kashus Perona (200m and 400m), Deborah Samson (pole vault), and Rose Supangan (10,000m). Gerlain Kiamco (hammer throw and shot put) will miss the trip because of a shoulder injury.

"We are going to the Philippines. We’re not getting paid a single penny. But if we perform well and we do a good job, it’s an honor for the country," says Jim Apelar, committee chairman for recruitment and training of the Philippine Overseas Olympic Development Committee (POODC), the fruit of a Memorandum of Understanding initiated in 2002 between FIL-AM Sports USA, Inc. and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

During the POODC launch last May 15 at the historic Filipino town here in Los Angeles, POC president Celso Dayrit said, "It is heartening to note that this early, many Fil-Am athletes have indicated their willingness to even go through qualifying events in Manila if only to prove their fitness and skills to carry the country’s colors."

The Fil-Ams, who have made a name for themselves in the US collegiate athletics scene, are expected to bolster the chances of the Philippine team in the 2005 SEA Games in Manila. Before then, they will reinforce the Philippine contingent led by Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Lerma Bulauitan-Gabito and Eduardo Buenavista as they go up against the powerhouse teams from China, South Korea, Indonesia and Hong Kong in the coming 2004 National Open.

"I expect to go there and bond with the other Filipino athletes and let them know that we’re not going there to take their positions but just to help out and have everybody come together to compete well," says 29-year old Cablayan.

He was a junior at Cal State University in Long Beach, taking Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology when he was invited to compete for the Philippines in the 1996 National Open where he finished second in the 110 high hurdles and bagged the gold medal in 400 in hurdles.

It was also his first time in the birth country of his paternal grandfather. He says he enjoyed that trip very much and is looking forward to going back.

"It took eight years, but it’s worth the wait," he adds. "Some of the (Filipino) traditions have been instilled in me since I was young and I feel proud knowing that," he said, adding that even in high school, he always hung around his Filipino friends because that’s where he always felt like he belonged. Carrying features resulting from the good mix of his Mexican-Irish mom and the Ilocano roots of his dad, Cablayan also has the looks that could steal him away from track and field and into the modeling scene.

Another looker that will race her way into the hearts of Filipino fans is 27-year old Rose Supangan. Her lineage is purely Filipino, tracing her roots to Dagupan. She was only two years old when she first visited Manila, with her parents, who migrated to the States before she was born. This California-born long distance runner understands Tagalog well, though she could not speak it.

"I have a lot of family in the Philippines that I haven’t met. I already called them, and they’re excited to see me and see me run, so I’ll have support over there," says the petite track star, who started competing when she was 13.

This 2004 National Open will be her first international competition. This will also mark her first time to run in a 10,000-m race. Aside from winning and making the Philippine national team, Supangan says she hopes to inspire local athletes.

"I’ve been running for many years and I put a lot of effort in my training. Hopefully people will see me as a hardworker also," adds the University of Southern California graduate. Despite her busy schedule as a middle school math and physical education teacher, she averages about 8 to12 miles a day, and does more when doing marathon training. "Long distance running takes a lot of commitment, dedication and time. It has taught me to focus."

Twenty-two year old Jenny Buncio is as dedicated as Supangan.

"I like running, not caring about anybody else. It’s relaxation for me. Just me and the wind," explains the senior from Cal State University in Dominguez Hills, California, a division two school.

Buncio, who was born in Negros Occidental and moved to America when she was 12, will have the chance to reacquaint herself with her birthplace. The only daughter and only athlete in the family will be accompanied by her mother, four brothers and grandmother for a family reunion in the Philippines.

Pole-vaulter Deborah Samson is now ranked ninth in the United States. Her father is from Alapan, Imus, Cavite while her mother is from Baguio. The 22-year old Communications graduate from University of California, Santa Barbara says her desire is to go to the Philippines and to represent the country.

The youngest in the group is 14-year old Krizia Apelar who joined the Batang Pinoy games in Palawan two years ago where she won a silver medal in the 200-meter sprints. The group will stay in Manila for two weeks. They will be housed in San Lorenzo Village, Makati, courtesy of friends who believe in the mission of POODC which is to identify competitive athletes of Filipino ancestry and assist in their development.

San Miguel Beer coach Jong Uchico’s son, Jared, will act as the group’s guide in Manila, touring them around Intramuros, among others. Apparently, the group is lacking in funds, relying only on the support of family and friends. But they come with big hearts filled with hope and enthusiasm to connect with their ancestry. They will run against the wind, and hopefully, they win.