Lazatin envisions AC athletes dominating CLRAA meet

n By BUTCH GUNIO

ANGELES CITY—Mayor Carmelo

“Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. continues to motivate Angeleño athletes to carry on and pursue the top spot in future Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA) meets.

During the recent awarding ceremony of P1.059 million worth of cash incentives to 93 CLRAA 2023 winners from the city, Lazatin addressed the student-athletes and expressed his belief that they will someday dominate the annual sports event.

“Today we are rank 12, last CLRAA [2019] we were rank 15, but tomorrow we will be number one,” Lazatin asserted.

Angeleño student-athletes garnered 21 gold, 19 silver, and 40 bronze medals including the results from ParaGames during CLRAA 2023 which placed Angeles City in the 12th rank.

Lazatin saw a significant improvement from the previous regional athletic meet in 2019 where Angeles City was ranked no. 15 for obtaining 3 gold, 12 silver, and 20 bronze medals.

“It is our administration’s ultimate dream to produce an Angeleño Olympic medalist. It is not impossible, with these athletes who are very dedicated and hard-working in the field of sports,” Lazatin stressed.

Each gold medalist this year received P10,000; P7,000 for silver medalists and P5,000 each for bronze medalists.

Funds came from the Local School Board and Office of the Mayor to accommodate giving these cash incentives to the deserving student-athletes.

A total of 417 student-athletes competed in CLRAA 2023, playing their respective fields of sports.

Each received sports shoes, uniforms, parade polo shirts, joggers, hoodies, bags, caps, and travel mattresses from the city government as support for competing in the said athletic meet.

This forms part of the flagship programs of Mayor Lazatin in promoting youth sports development in Angeles City and becomes an avenue to instill in them the values of discipline, sportsmanship, and excellence.

Mayor Lazatin insists that active support to Angeleño student-athletes will also boost their morale, and take pride in representing Angeles City while competing.

Young” simultaneous chess exhibition matches, Torre said playing chess will also provide the youth with some of the more important values in life.

“Life is like a game of chess. You always have to make the right moves and follow the rules. If you fail, you get up and try again,” said Torre, who made history by becoming Asia’s first grandmaster during the World Chess Olympiad in Nice. France in 1974.

Torre, who will turn 71 this November, reminded the youth to always follow the three kings in life: spiritual king, mental king and physical king.

“Sundin natin itong sinasabing three kings in life. Kapag maayos ang ating spiritual, mental at physical well-being, maayos ang buhay. Kaya natutuwa nga ako na may mga ganitong pagsisikap na ma-promote ang chess sa mga paaralan, lalo na sa mga kabataan,” added Torre, who also conducted a 15-board simultaneous chess exhibition with select students and alumni of the Quezon City public high school.

Young, on the other hand, underscored the importance of bringing the sport closer to the people, especially the youth.

“Napakahalaga na magkaroon tayo ng mga ganitong pagbisita sa iba’t ibang mga paaralan at magsagawa ng mga ganitong exhibition matches para makahanap pa tayo ng mas madaming mga homegrown talents,” said Young, who was enshrined to the ERJHS Alumni Sports Club Hall of Fame in 2016.

Former Ateneo program director for chess IM Idel Datu also conducted chess lectures for student participants.

This is actually the second time that Torre conducted chess simul to ERJHS students following a similar activity in February 2018.

Torre, Young, and Datu lauded ERJHS Principal Gina Obierna and ERJHS Alumni Sports Club president Ed Andaya for their efforts to promote chess in the school.

The top five student participants were Clark Kean Amodia, Reyland Samson, Lhu Fearigs Calimbas, Xenon Santos, and Stephanie Nicole Belgira. Outstanding alumni who joined the event were Jose de Leon of Batch 66, Tony Susano of Batch 72, Romeo Gagap of Batch 85 and Richard Nell of Batch 93. Also present during the simultaneous exhibition matches were Sapporo Winter Olympics delegate Marcelo de Guzman of Batch 72, former ERJHS Alumni Association president Jess Asistin of Batch 76, Roberto Castor Rover Scouts head Fe Castor-Pangan and ASC officers Zeny Castor, Imee Gines, Oliric Lacsamana, Jane Jimenez, Bess Maghirang, Ramon Ypil, Albert Andaya, Richard Nell and Roy Madayag and Ms. ERJHS Alumni Jean Wenceslao.

Event sponsors are Batch 70, Batch 76, Batch 81, Batch 82, Camp Pulong Gubat Wavepool Resort-Batangas, and Ping-Ping Lechon.

Over 4,000 cyclists join PRURide PH 2023 at Clark

PRURIDE Philippines made a solid comeback after a three-year hiatus, with over 4,000 cyclists and families gathered at Clark Global City, Pampanga.

This year’s PRURide is a milestone as it marks Prudential’s 175th-anniversary celebration, including its first 100 years in Asia.

“PRURide Philippines 2023 is a celebration of life with Filipino families on a journey towards a healthier lifestyle, getting the most out of life. We are blessed to be back on the road with thousands of cyclists and families pedaling together towards better health and wellness,” says Eng Teng Wong, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Pru Life UK.

As the country’s largest cycling festival, PRURide Philippines is even bigger and more exciting this year with thousands of registrants and families joining the cycling festivities.

PRURide Philippines advocates Gretchen Ho, Kim Atienza, and Zoren Legaspi cycled the 100KM Gran Fondo category, and enjoyed the route which included the New Clark City Bridge.

More advocates joined the event including cycling content creators Ger Victor, Darlings Levi & Sara, Jeno Cuenco, and Ian Austria and Pru Life UK’s health champions Teri Rombaoa, Miguel and wife Mary Reyes, Montini De Guzman, and Aless Castañeda.

The much-anticipated event affirmed its spirit of inclusivity with fun and friendly courses for cyclists of all ages and expertise. The Family Fun

Ride and PRURide Milo Kids Cup were a sure hit! Cash prizes of PHP 3,000, PHP 5,000, and PHP 10,000 were awarded to the grand winners of Virtual PRURide.

In this digital competition, professional and amateur cyclists experienced the fun and excitement of biking without going on the road for free. Everyone enjoyed the expo activities and freebies and was treated to a live concert by the OPM band Sponge Cola.

Pru Life UK makes this celebration even more special with an all-expensepaid trip to London for one eligible and existing customer and three family members.

PRURide Philippines supports Pru

Life UK’s commitment to health and wellness. Since 2016, the event has attracted thousands of amateur and seasoned cyclists, including some of the Philippines’ strongest and most competitive athletes.

“PRURide Philippines has always been more than just a cycling event. It is about our continued advocacy of health and wellness for oneself and the whole family and also community,” adds Wong.

In celebration of Prudential’s 175th anniversary, Pru Life UK is concluding PRURide Philippines 2023 by giving back to the community in Cebu and donating 175 bikes through JCI Zugbuanas.