THEY'RE living a reckless life, while fully entertaining the appreciative crowd to the max.
Unquestionably, extreme motocross is one of the dangerous sports that has the potential to make Philippine riders become known worldwide. But until now, they're not getting the needed support from the government nor being considered in the training pool with monthly allowance from the Philippine sports program.
"Sayang, napag-iwanan na tayo. Mas kayod at ganado sanang mas gagaling pa sa paligsahan kung may suporta," blurted 19-year-old Terrence Pierce Napat right after upstaging the legendary Anthony Glenn Aguilar in the recent Mayor Gomer "Enan" A. Sabio Motocross & Flat Track Competition off the vast race tracks in Barangay Natumolan, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.
Given the chance, the young daredevil from M'lang, North Cotabato believes the Filipinos have what it takes to carve a name in the international arena of the motocross event.
"Kaya nating sumabay, matibay matapang at madiskarte ang mga Pinoy racers," added Napat, who studies Marketing at the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC) in Davao City.
The now 45-year-old Aguilar, who used to dominate Philippine motocross for over three decades, shared Napat's sentiments.
"Umabot sa pagtanda medyo nalipasan na ganon pa rin estado ng Philippine motocross. Masakit na sa katawan pero heto pa rin kasi kelangan. Ngayon, ang daming magagaling sa kabataan kelangan ang sapat na suporta para umangat tayo," said Aguilar, who still managed a couple of flat track championship wins in Tagoloan, before yielding to Napat in the premier motocross challenge.
Only aggravating the fate of Philippine motocross in terms of support was when a young racing champion died after a bad fall during his practice in Carmel, Agusan del Norte.
John Kim Portes Peligrino, winner of the Naliyagan Motocross Tournament in Prosperidad, Agusan del Norte, was reportedly preparing for his upcoming competition when he encountered the unfortunate event.
Practicing along with fellow riders, Peligrino's motorbike reportedly got into some trouble after jumping a high ramp. The heavy thing apparently dropped into the chest and stomach of the young rider, leading to his untimely demise after at least two confinements in the hospital.
He probably died due to internal hemorrhage, according to the reports.
Barangay Mohon's village chair Francis Jerson Sabio, who initiated the Tagoloan Fiesta spectacle on two wheels, said there's no doubt that motocross is the coolest and most fun entertainment in the Philippines as can be gleaned by the influx of spectators from the region.
"Sobra 5,000 ang misaksi sa atong Tagoloan motocross even ang mayor (Enan Sabio) dili matago nga enjoy kaayo. And he's wanting for more. Meaning, magpabilin ang race tracks sa Natumolan carved in a 10-hectare land property of Johndorf nga mas ato pang i-improve kay dili pa man gamiton sa tag-iya," the young Sabio then told SunStar Cagayan de Oro.