CITY OF SAN FERNANDO —The city government here has recognized the 12 Kapampangans who completed the rigorous race in the Ironman Championship held last October 2 in Penghu, Taiwan.
The tri-athletes from Pampanga were Rondee Aquino, Jason Caguiat, Cyril Bermudo, Arvin Bituin, Bryan De Mata, Mark Jingco, Adrian Lugasing, Cherry Sanchez, Jonathan Sunga, Abe Tayag, Jerry Yutuc and Raffy Zapata.
Mayor Edwin D. Santiago, along with Vice Mayor Jaime Lazatin, awarded the tri-athletes a copy of a Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution No. 2016-046, which was sponsored by Councilor Renato Agustin, during Monday’s flag raising ceremony at the city hall.
The resolution was unanimously approved by the city council on October 5, 2016.
“These 12 Kapampangan athletes truly brought pride to the province and to the country at large and [exemplarily] demonstrated the burning Kapampangan indomitable spirit and strength amongst the other contending athletes,” the resolution reads.
Ironman Taiwan is a known member of the prestigious WTC Ironman Family which has taken the triathlon world by storm with over 40 countries represented in the sold out race that included a 3.8-kilometer swim, 180-kilometer cycling and 42-kilometer run in Penghu, also known as the Pescadores Islands which is located in the southwest of the Taiwan Strait.
The 12 Kapampangan racers, who attempted to conquer the prestigious sporting event, are now part of the thousands of the most recognized Ironman finishers in the world.
Of the 1,018 tri-athletes who participated in the Ironman Taiwan, 69 Filipinos were among the finishers.