PUERTO PRINCESA – This year’s Palaro has turned into a show of second-generation track stars.
Isidro del Prado Jr., Jose Renato Unso and Justin Taborda – sons and namesakes of former Gintong Alay stars in the 80s – have accounted for five gold medals so far and are poised to winning at least three more in today’s conclusion of the five-day track and field event.
“I believe it’s good for the sport because people are taking notice that some of the 80s trackstars have sons who are now keeping their legacies,” said the 16-year-old Unso, hoping to run with del Prado when they go to college this coming school year.
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Klarizze Muros-Posadas, daughter of many-time Southeast Asian Games gold medal winner Elma Muros-Posadas, would have added some spice to this annual multi-sports meet had she made it here.
Posadas would have been the favorite in the 100m, 200m and 400m had she not missed playing for Calabarzon here due to scheduling problems.
“Maybe next year she’ll join here,” Klarizze’s father Jojo Posadas, track and field coach of Far Eastern U and Jose Rizal who was on a scouting mission here, told The STAR.
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After missing the opening ceremony because of previous commitments, President Arroyo may make a surprise visit at the closing rites of this meet.
But what would happen to former President Joseph Estrada, who organizers had previously announced would grace the closing rites? – Joey Villar