Monday, April 16, 2007 Alcantara prevents RP shutout in Hirobo Cup By Marian C. Baring Sun.Star Staff Reporter
ALVIN Alcantara, or his chopper that is, braved intense winds to prevent a shutout for Filipino flyers in the Hirobo Cup Asia 2007 International RC Helicopter competition yesterday at the South Road Properties.
“The main problem that I encountered was the strong winds and the wind direction here,” said Alcantara, who topped the F3C category.
Yesterday’s final of the three-day competition also saw the Taiwanese pilots sweeping the top three spots in the P3C category.
The win was a huge turnaround for the 31-year-old RC hobbyist, after finishing only fifth in the Asia Oceanic competition last year in Japan.
Alcantara had to overhaul huge odds before nailing the top prize. He was trailing Korean Kyung Yong Choi at the end of the first half of the competition last Saturday. Now, it seemed Alcantara was just saving his best form for a show-stealing ending.
A big smile on his sunburned face after his flight in the final round hinted a good finish for the Pinoy flyer.
Assisted by his brother Mark as his caller, Alcantara performed the routines—the hourglass, the circle with 360-degree pirouettes, the rectangle with 180-degree pirouette and a horizontal eight among others.
The trophy adds to Alcantara’s brimming collection. He is already an owner of at least seven international titles, three of which he won in Asian competitions over the years.
Completing the podium finishers in the F3C event is South Africa’s Henke Beyers. Hung Jen-Yi and Wang Shang-Jia of Taiwan settled for fourth and fifth, respectively.
Meanwhile, in the other category, Taiwanese Chan Kuo-Chan, Chen Kung-Hsiang and Wang Yu-Chien monopolized the event as they took the top three spots.
The Philippines’ Justin Neri salvaged the fourth spot, while Thai flyer Amonchai Thanthanyabun made it to fifth place.
This was the first time that the competition for remote-controlled helicopters was held in Cebu. A portion of the SRP is to be devoted for RC hobbyists.
“We have talked to several people and this spot will be opened for enthusiasts of remote-controlled aircrafts,” said Cebu City Councilor Jack Jakosalem, who paved the way for the event to be hosted at SRP.
The Hirobo Cup served as the kick-off of a bevy of the SRP summer sporting activities. However, Jakosalem said the other events will have to wait until after the elections.
