Chasing dreams knows no age for late bloomer in motocross

CEBU, Philippines —  Flashing back an early scene of his life, he can still vividly recall when his father Joselito took him to a motocross racing event at the North reclamation area several years ago.

The sight of riders, in full battle gear, flaunting their stunning aerial moves and gravity-defying skills with savvy on the racetrack was a sight to behold, an apparition of delight for him.

It brought inexplicable joy and triggered a jolt of excitement within him.

He was only five years old then.

Such a tender age as it may seem but it sparked Eugene Andales’ love affair in extreme sports from that moment on.

“I really like extreme sports when I was a kid,” shared Andales in an interview at Cafe 8020 located at the entrance of the Woodland Resort Communities in San Vicente, Liloan north of Cebu. “I was only five years old when I first witnessed a motocross racing event and I could say it was love at first sight. I couldn’t sleep after that and kept thinking about it.”

While he yearns to become a rider during his younger days, Andales has to put his aspirations on hold because his parents even struggle to make ends meet, how much more afford to buy him an expensive motorbike.

But instead of wallowing in disappointment, Andales treated his frustrations as a challenge, used it as a motivation, and eventually as a ladder to attain happiness he is enjoying right now.

To save money in pursuit of his goal, Andales tried several part-time jobs including in a catering service but his expertise as a barista brought him good fortune. It started when he met Rhea Mantuhac, the woman of his dreams, in a coffee shop back in 2016. The rest, they say, is history.

Now married and father of a soon-to-be family of four, Eugene’s wife Rhea turned out to be the key in realizing his childhood dream.

Everything, however, wasn’t served on a silver platter for Andales. For three long years, he tirelessly convinced Rhea to allow him to engage in motocross racing.

And finally in December last year, Andales got the blessings of his better half for him to take up the sport that is closest to his heart.

“For three years, I never stopped begging her to let me join motocross,” said Andales of Rhea, whom he now helps manage their family’s growing business empire under the Duros Development Corporation that includes the Woodlands Resort Communities and the sprawling Liloan Golf and Leisure Club. “That is why I can’t contain my happiness when she finally said yes. It’s truly a dream come true for me.”

After several rounds of practice at a training facility in Liloan, Danao and Consolacion, Andales gained much needed confidence to improve his craft when he met and befriended the decorated Cebuano daredevil BJ Enage-Pepito, the “Wonder Boy” from Daanbantayan who is undoubtedly one of the most successful and highly accomplished riders in the annals of Cebu motocross.

“With his age, I was really stunned by his superb skills. I was quite surprised upon seeing he is that good considering he’s only 19,” said Andales. “But what I am grateful of is that BJ helps boost my confidence. He guides me and gave me valuable tips on how to develop further my ability. I learned a lot from him. He is one of my inspirations as I test myself where I would go from here,” Andales continued.

Even though he is just new to the racing circuit, Andales swiftly made his presence felt by consistently making it to the top five under the novice/beginners division in at least three races he participated in Danao, Barili and Tuburan.

Interestingly, Andales is a late bloomer as is slowly making a name in Cebu motocross landscape only now that he is already 29 years old.

 But for Andales, chasing what your heart desires and accomplishing success knows no age.

“You’re never too young or too old to start something and achieve,” pointed out Andales. “If it’s your calling, it will come your way. You just have to be patient, stay humble, persevere and never give up. You must have that drive and passion to fulfill what you want in life because in the end, what matters most is that you’re happy with what you are doing.”