Newly minted Asiad hero a brand-new dad

MANILA, Philippines - Daniel Caluag yesterday looked forward to winning more gold medals for the Philippines.

But first, the 27-year-old BMX rider and gold medalist in the Incheon Asian Games said he can’t wait to come home to his family in Lexington, Kentucky where he works as a nurse.

Caluag and his wife, Stephanie, are brand-new parents, their baby daughter, Sydney Isabella, born just two days before he left home for Incheon.

He said he can’t wait to play the role of a father, and that includes changing diapers and staying up all night.

“That’s part of fatherhood. To Filipinos, family is important,” he said in a well-attended press conference where he received his cash incentive for winning the gold in the 17th Asian Games.

Caluag received a handsome check worth P1 million from the Philippine Sports Commission through commissioners Buddy Andrada and Jolly Gomez.

But even before the handover, Philcycling president Abraham Tolentino announced another pledge of P500,000 from the MVP Sports Foundation.

Moe Chulani of giant cargo and forwarder firm LBC, who stood at the sidelines during the press conference, also stepped forward to present Caluag a check worth P100,000.

Caluag broke into a wide, humble smile as the incentives poured in.

The money only comes second for the young and ambitious cyclist, whose mother, Isabelita, hails from Nueva Ecija, and his father, Danny, from Bulacan.

“I want to thank everyone,” he said.

“It’s such an honor to represent the Philippines. This country carries such a punch, and we showed the world that it is possible for Filipinos to get what they want to achieve,” Caluag added.

“I am proud to call myself Filipino,” said the Asian Games gold medalist scheduled to fly home to Lexington last night. 

He came to the press conference with his brother, Christopher John, who finished fourth in Incheon, and cycling coaches Gregory Romero and Chris Allison, who referred to Caluag as “the Manny Pacquiao” of cycling.

“We want to thank Daniel Caluag for giving honor to our country. If not for him, we will not have a gold medal in Incheon until now,” said Andrada in the absence of PSC chairman Richie Garcia who’s still in Incheon with the rest of the Filipino athletes.

Tolentino, the congressman from Tagaytay City, said there’s more to look forward to and more to expect from Caluag, a veteran of the 2012 London Olympics.

“We’re not only preparing for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Of course, we’re also preparing for the (2015) Singapore SEA Games, then the Asian Games again, and the World Cup in Colombia,” he said.

The cycling chief, who was to accompany Caluag to Malacañang yesterday afternoon, said the Filipino champion has decided to skip the Asian Cycling Championships in November.

“He has already proven who is the best in Asia,” said Tolentino.

“There a many races abroad. Me and my coach are going to work it out – bike training, the starting technic which is the most critical part of the race, acceleration, sprint training, and finishing the whole course without the legs burning out,” said Caluag.

But again, it’s not all about cycling for Caluag who works as an oncology nurse at the University of Kentucky, doing 12-hour shifts three times a week.

“I have couple of plans besides winning in the Asian Games. I want to finish my studies. Just wanting to be the best I could be whether at school or at cycling. You set a goal and go after it,” he said.

On and off the saddle, there’s just so much up ahead.