Terry Larrazabal Bike Festival

One sports tourism event that I get to monitor year-round is the Terry Larrazabal Bike festival (TLBF). Although this competition only happens once a year, being part of the TLBF web group keeps me updated about the competition.

Thanks to lawyer Goyo Larrazabal, who put this competition together, we have a major bikefest that is expected to draw 600 or more enthusiasts this year.

When the early registration closed several days ago, 300 managed to beat the deadline, but since then, many have continued to sign up. The event will be on March 30 to April 2 in Ormoc City.

Aside from the 600 cyclists from around the Philippines, Goyo has also reported that there would be 40 cyclists from countries like the USA, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia.

Thanks to technology, events like the TLBF have become what it is today. The web group allows the participants and the supporters of the annual event to continue hooking up for the entire year. This also gives the companies and individuals that have come forward to support the TLBF a chance to reach out to their target market.

Then there is the foreign flavor that I expect to increase dramatically in the coming years.

Goyo is not leaving a stone unturned. You get all information for the groups website including how to get to Ormoc City, accommodations, schedules of competitions and events, and even a list of transport companies that would offer you discounts for your trip.

A lot of effort has really been put into this bike festival, which also features other events and nightly parties.

I wonder where Goyo gets all the energy? All the work he has put into the TLBF is definitely paying off.

The TLBF is a major tourism and sports event rolled into one and I wish that one day I can shake the hands of Goyo and congratulate him for a great job.

I cannot fit the TLBF in my rather tight schedule yet, so I'll have to be contented with getting the regular e-mail updates and now the radio updates over Y101.

Congratulations Goyo! How I wish we will have many more people like you.

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If you want a place to park at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex tonight, better get there early.

The battle between Z "The Dream" Gorres and Thailand's Waengpetch Chuwatana is just one of the many slambang battles that are expected in tonight's card presented by SGG Sports Promotions of international promoter Sammy 'Don King' Gello-ani.

Although the Thai looks formidable, unlike some of those who came here in past boxing promotions, I am confident that Gorres can pound the visitor and hopefully end the bout before the final bell.

One of the hardest places to fight for the local pugs has been at home. Why? The audience is pretty demanding.

For Gorres, who has long proven his worth as a fighter, there is an even bigger things that he is looking forward to - his stint under the wings of the Golden Boy Promotions of boxing susperstar Oscar de la Hoya.

If he takes the vacant Orient Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) super flyweight crown tonight, a lot more prominent titles will be next in line for Gorres.

Will be he the next boxing spectacle after Manny Pacquaio? I can't say that for sure yet, but Gorres definitely has a shot at it.