VIGAN, Ilocos Sur ― The tandem of Marc Angelo Cabiluna and his 52-year-old mother and coach Cherry made history together in today’s penultimate day action of the 2022 Batang Pinoy National Championships at the Quirino Stadium here.
This, as the high schooler from Villanueva town, completed a back-to-back gold finish in athletics to the great delight of the Misamis Oriental delegation that accommodated his entry to the province’s team at the last minute.
“Save the best for last. Kaya mo yan anak,” Cherry told her 15-year-old son who committed an error in the first of his last three final attempts in the triple jump contest early this morning, December 20.
Nanay Cherry’s words were like magic as they transformed the five-foot-two Cabiluna back to his warrior’s gist that earned him earlier and the Misamis Oriental delegation the first-ever gold in this week-long competition via the high school boys’ long jump event against the same arch rival from the Masbate Sports Academy.
Redeeming himself, Cabiluna defeated the taller but a year younger Jonathan Bellosillo in the second try of the eight-jumper finals, 13.23 to 13.16, and in the final third attempt, 13.34 against 13.27 for his second gold.
“Even in our long jump duel, he always outjumped me on the second attempt during the elimination rounds. That motivated me to do better in the final round, and of course Nanay Cherry’s magic words,” said a teary-eyed Cabiluna.
The 14-year-old Bellosillo was humble in defeat, twice in a row against a more determined Cabiluna who came here with a big dream to become a member of the Philippine team one day.
“We’re all friends here. What’s more important is we give our best and then, mas bata ako sa kanya. Hopefully, ako na naman sa susunod na Batang Pinoy,” Bellosillo told Gold Star Daily.
Impressed, Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) head coach Sean Guevara advised the Cabilunas to work on their passports for a possible stint abroad.
Guevara said he will recommend the new Batang Pinoy long jump sensation for a slot in the Asian Youth Championship that will be hosted by Uzbekistan in April next year.
“Talking about development, malayo pa ang proseso na dadaanan ni Marc para maging kasapi ng Philippine team. But at this age level, his performance is excellent,” said Guevara, who established a national record in the high jump in 2005, before he retired due to a hip problem.
