Ronda gives Mindanao riders chance to shine

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines –  While newly crowned Mindanao leg LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2016 champion Jan Paul Morales and his powerhouse Navy-Standard Insurance team basked in glory, an unheralded pair of South Cotabato riders won the hearts of everyone.

James Paolo Ferfas and Ranlean Maglantay, joining the race underequipped and with limited funding, provided the subplot to what had turned into an all-Morales and Navy show by making heads turn and peddling their stories as an inspiration to many.

Ferfas, a 22-year-old dreamer who lost her mom eight years ago, came out of nowhere and finished 10th overall while Maglantay, an 18-year-old neighbor of the former who is living the dream of his mechanic father Randy, wound up in the top 20.

And the two did it with a few pesos in their pockets, a torn pair of rubber shoes, an old, tattered uniform and cheap, heavier bikes.

“It was our dream to race in Ronda Pilipinas and we were happy we were given a chance,” said Ferfas, who had to stop going to high school because of poverty and worked his way hustling for money in races back home and nearby provinces.

“We just want to ride,” said Ferfas, a pocket-sized cyclist whose heart is as big as everybody.

Maglantay has a different story.

The teener from Marbel was disqualified upon entry because of equipment issues.

When LBC Ronda project director Moe Chulani heard Maglantay’s story, the former had to chase the latter in the door to allow him entry.

And the rest is history.

“When I heard of his story, I had to run and chase him to convince him to join because we have here a poor kid from Mindanao whose eagerness to compete despite the adversity is a reason alone to let him race,” said Chulani.

“And that is what LBC Ronda Pilipinas is all about, giving everyone who has a dream a chance,” he added.

At the end of the gruelling five-leg race, Ferfas and Maglantay were given brand-new gears like helmet, gloves, cycling shoes courtesy of LBC Express, MVP Sports Foundation and LBC Foundation.

The duo were loaned competition bikes worth around P400,000 apiece and will join the Visayas and Luzon legs set in March and April, respectively, all expenses paid for.

There was also an outpouring of support from fans here and out of the country after hearing their story in social media.

To top it all off, Ferfas and Maglantay have been given a chance.

And living the dream.