Cebu Pacific Phl tracksters main backer

MANILA, Philippines - Cebu Pacific Air, the country’s No. 1 budget air carrier, will be the national track and field team’s chief backer when the four-man athletic delegation vies in the Thailand Open Track and Field Championships set May 6-9 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Pole vaulter Riezel Buenaventura, javelin thrower Evalyn Palabrica, high jumper Manuel Lasagne Jr. and long jumper Julian Fuentes banner the lean but crack national team from the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) in the four-day event which features the region’s top and rising athletes.

Cebu Pacific Air will be providing the round-trip tickets for the delegation, which includes lone coach Rosalyn Hamero, through its chief executive officer Lance Gokongwei.

Patafa vice chairman Dr. Philip Ella Juico has requested Cebu Pacific for its support in line with the airline’s contribution to sports development and in keeping with its motto of “It’s time everyone flies.”  

The Phl delegation will be bannering the colors of Cebu Pacific, which in 2012 carried 12.3 million passengers, during all functions of the Thai meet, particularly during the actual competition.

A sizeable number of Filipinos who live and work in Thailand are expected to cheer for and provide support to the delegation.

Twenty-two events will be contested in the event where the Nationals will slug it out with their counterparts from Kuwait, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Chinese Taipei and Myanmar. 

The Philippines sent a sizeable delegation in the annual Thai meet last year, including 2013 Myanmar SEA Games gold medalists Archand Bagsit, Christopher Ulboc and Isidro del Prado Jr. Among others who made the team were Edgardo Alejan, Andre Pirie, Junrey Bano, Julius Nierras, Marvin Guarte, Joran Paul Billones, Rafeal Poliquit Jr. and Wanlie Maulas.

Patafa’s participation in the championships is also in line with the national sports association’s continuing effort to develop talents by inviting private sector participation where government support is not forthcoming.