MISAMIS Oriental’s gold mines in national sports arena ― athletics ― is expected to get a boost with the ascension of Juliette Uy to the province’s governorship throne.
The sports-loving Uy, a former representative of Misamis Oriental’s 2nd District, won big over incumbent Governor Peter Unabia in the recent elections, to the great delight of the local Patafa (Philippine Tracks and Field Association), a group based in Villanueva town, which is the home turf of the newly-elected governor.
It can be recalled that the politically inclined Uy family in Villanueva was instrumental in producing a total of four golds in athletics during the past two editions of the Batang Pinoy National Meet.
“Silang madam Juliette gyod and family ang nagtabang kanamo financially hinungdan nga atong nakab-ot ang kadaugan,” recalled coach and teacher Cherry Cabiluna, whose own son Marc Angelo Cabiluna completed a back-to-back gold triumphs in long jump contests during the Batang Pinoy national championships in Vigan City and Pasay City in recent years.
It all started during the pandemic period when the sporting world seemed to stop, except that the Uy-funded Cabilunas went into a rigorous year-round training in Villanueva to be ready outright when opportunities opened doors for them to compete in the Batang Pinoy games.
Not only in athletics.
Coach Cherry said they expect the Uy’s leadership to also venture into chess and boxing, among other sports disciplines, that are in abundance of talents in Misamis Oriental province.
