The Manager: The Man Behind It All

My trip to the USA is funded by my benefactor for 15 years, Mr. Rolando Hiso. I call him manager. For local cyclists, manager is the same as sponsor or ninong who spends for the cyclist. It is very beneficial for a cyclist to have a sponsor that will help him provide his cycling needs. I admit even in my previous posts, I am very thankful for my sponsors. I know I can not afford to buy my equipment on my own. And as a gratitude, I NEVER SELL what was given to me. Iniingatan ko talaga at minimaintain ang mga bigay sa akin. Iniiwasan ko rin na mawili ako o umabuso kaya hanggat maari yun lang talagang kailangan ang tinatanggap ko. Bukod kasi sa nakakahiya, natatakot din ako na masumbatan.

My association with Sir Hiso is more than a sponsor and an athlete. I am welcome by his whole family. I attend family gatherings with him and proudly introduced me to his relatives. Magpamilya na kami. Nakikinig ako sa mga pangaral nya hindi lang tungkol sa cycling, kungdi mas pa sa buhay. Sinusubaybayan nya ako hindi lang bilang cyclist. He always tell me to go back to school. Bihira man kami mag-usap at magkita, the first thing he asks me is how’s your life, and not how’s your race. He is more concern of what will I become after my cycling career. Hindi ko sya narinig na sabihan ako na laos na o mahina na kahit sa panahon na puro talo sa karera. Pero sya rin ang nagsesermon sa akin sa mga kapalpakan at maling desisyon ko sa buhay. At hindi ako nagagalit o sumasagot sa kanya tuwing nasesermunan ako. Concern lang talaga sya sa akin. Gusto nya kasi na maayos ang lahat at may kahinatnan ako sa pagtanda ko. Alam ko na masaya rin sya sa mga accomplishment ko na maayos ang pamilya at preparado na rin kahit paano para sa future. Salamat Sir sa lahat.