Cebuano sharpshooter upbeat on new challenge

CEBU, Philippines — Multi-titled Cebuano marksman Roygbiv “Roy” Barro embarks on a new challenge of his flourishing shooting career after he was recruited by a Grand Master to form part of the Laguna Practical Shooters Group (LAGPSG), an elite gun club that is home to some of the country’s best practical shooters.

LAGPSG President Alfredo “Jun Catz” Catalan Jr., said they took Barro into their fold as part of their vision to help polish the talents of promising shooters and guide them to become champions that will bring pride and honor to the country in international competitions someday.

“We took him (Barro) as a new member of our club to further harness his potential,” said Catalan, a Grand Master shooter, in a phone interview. “We need junior shooters like him so that they will be trained early because it will take years to hone the skills of the young ones. To excel in practical shooting, one must be a fast-learner, must have the right attitude, hard work, discipline and patience.”

“Roy has the speed. He’s a fast shooter,” added Catalan. “But he needs to improve on his accuracy. That’s where we start, give him the right foundation.”

On his end, Barro looks forward to the new chapter of his shooting journey with zest and enthusiasm.

“It’s an honor and a privilege because I am now part of a group (LAGPSG) that has members that are highly trained individuals and also considered the best of the best in the Philippines. Also, this is a gun club that is well respected and they are one of the best gun clubs in the whole Philippines not just in Manila,” said Barro.

“I would like to thank sir Jun Catalan for noticing my potential in shooting and invited me to become a member of his beloved gun club which he is the president right now. Thank you also to the sharpshooters and the people in Cebu who helped me along the way in my shooting career especially to the members of “Team Bulldog” who taught me a lot both in the shooting ground and to the outside world.”

The 19-year-old Barro, who nearly swept all shooting competitions he joined last year capped by his first ever champion’s trophy in the standard division, promised to represent LAGPSG to the best of his capability.       

“My dedication for the betterment of the club will be on the highest level. Although I need to balance my time because I’m also a student-athlete (football) of La Salle, one thing for sure is that every training session and every competition that I will bring the name of the club, I will give it all,” assured Barro.

Under the aegis of LAGPSG, Barro will have his baptism of fire as he will be seeing action in the Lorenzana Cup, a Level III competition that is a World Shoot Qualifiers slated on March 5-8 in T’boli, South Cotabato.

“I feel pressured to be honest but that’s the best of it because I have something to look forward to. Meaning, I am more motivated than ever. My goals are just simple:train hard and train intelligently,” said Barro.

The top performers of the four-day shootfest in T’Boli will have an opportunity to be part of the Philippine team for the IPSC World Shoot XIX on November 28 to December 5 in Pattaya, Thailand.

“If he fares well in the qualifiers, that will boost his chances to become part of  the Philippine team for the World Shoot 2020 this November in Thailand. Hopefully, he will make it,” said Catalan, referring to Barro.