OCW's son claims first gold in Batang Pinoy

ZAMBOANGA CITY ,Philippines  – A son of an overseas contract worker bagged the first ever gold medal in the ongoing Batang Pinoy 2011 but a runner from Dipolog provided the drama in athletics at the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex.

Angelo Angeles, 15, of Zamboanga City wanted to offer his performance to his mother who has been working as a domestic helper in Kuwait for the last five years. And it showed every step of the way as he topped the boys 110-meter high hurdles in 18.9 seconds to claim his first gold medal in the Mindanao qualifying leg of the Batang Pinoy.

 “This is for my mom,” said Angeles. “I wanted to help her once I finished my studies.”

Angeles said he wanted to join the ranks of the national athletes and, eventually, the Armed Forces of the Philippines someday.

Angeles, however, settled for the silver in long jump behind gold medal winner Arlingtone Rabago of Gen. Santos City.

Gladys Calamba of Dipolog topped the girls 2,000m run, suffering abdominal muscle pains she had felt while running the final 1,600 meters of the race.

She also removed her shoes before the race because, she said, she is more comfortable running barefoot. She, however, left her socks on because of the sweltering heat.