ICFP offers Christmas bikefest

MANILA, Philippines - In an effort to capitalize on the momentum brought about by the recent revival of the National Open Cycling Championships, the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines is holding a one-day cycling event dubbed “ICFP Pamaskong Handog sa Mga Siklista” on Sunday at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

ICFP president Dr. Phillip Ella Juico said the cycling body is opening its doors to all cyclists, including those who were not able to join the recent National Open.

“Since it’s Christmas time, we decided to put up a race on Sunday to give cyclists a chance to compete with one another in a friendly atmosphere, including those who missed the challenge of the National Open,” said Juico, a former chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform under the late President Corazon Aquino.

Cash prizes are at stake in the one-day racing extravaganza offering different categories prepared by the ICFP Technical Committee, such as Elite, Master and Junior Divisions.

Interested participants may register at the site (Quezon Memorial Circle) before the races. Assembly time is 6 a.m. while registration begins at 7 a.m. Race starts an hour later. For other details, call Loy Cruz at 0916-8318770.

“We have already lined up competitions in January, starting with the second National Students Cycling Championships, wherein we are giving emphasis now on our youth. Our aim is to recommend the winners of such a competition get scholarships in the schools of their choice,” Juico added. “This is a continuing project of the ICFP because we want the cyclists to keep their competitive juices flowing all year round.”

Under Juico’s guidance, the ICFP revived last week the National Open Cycling Championships after a 25-year absence. The last one was held in 1985, under then cycling chief Gov. Francisco Almeda.

Mountain-bike specialist Eusebio Quinones starred in the national bikefest after ruling both the MTB and road race competitions.

Meanwhile, winners of the New San Jose Builders-photo contest will be announced on Dec. 22 at the Shangri-La Finest Chinese Cuisine, where a thanksgiving dinner will be hosted by the ICFP for those who were instrumental in the staging of the National Open.

To assure fairness, the ICFP asked a neutral judge – the Camera Club of the Philippines - to decide on the winners of the photo contest offering P15,000, P10,000 and P5,000 to the first, second and third placers, respectively.