CEBU, Philippines - He lost three fingers after he suffered a mishap during one of the races he joined in, but that did not diminish his passion nor deter him from competing further in motocross.
In fact, decorated rider Butch Flores made that unfortunate incident as an inspiration to even scale greater heights in the sport he loved most.
"My most memorable event was in 2006 in Vallihermoso, Negros Oriental where I lost three fingers during the race," said Flores in slight jest. "But after that incident, it never crossed my mind to stop competing. It even drives me more to excel in this sporting endeavor."
True enough, Flores emerged as Rider of the Year in the executive C division during the 2007 season of the MS Motosuit Motocross Series organized by revered businessman-sportsman Lou Ornopia.
Two years later, he received bronze award in the executive category and gold in underbone racing of the 2009 Sel-J Sports Motocross Golden Wheel Awards.
Since he plunged into the racing circuit in 1997, Flores reaped numerous honors. He was crowned the 'Pantra King' in Negros way back in 2001 and carved his name in stone as the first ever champion of the Honda One Make Race in Cebu a decade ago.
But Flores is more than just a motocross rider. A competitive triathlete, Flores is best known in the racing circuit as the official announcer in all major events of MS Motosuit for 14 years now, in Sel-J Sports for five years and in the Kopiko Man and Machine Supercross Series for the past two years. He enlivens every race for his exciting blow-by-blow account and fluid delivery of what's happening inside the racetrack coupled with his deep sense of humor.
Flores will tackle more about his stirring exploits in this popular extreme sport in the MX-RLS (Motocross Rider Life Story), the newest segment of the MS Motosuit Motocross TV series aired over CCTN 47 every Saturday from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Replays of the weekly show are scheduled every Sunday from 10 to 10:30 p.m. — EBV (FREEMAN)