Fernando Tacuyan, only 14, stands to be the youngest in the family to become a national athlete, following a tradition that was started by his parents ? Orlando Sr., a boxer, and Nenita (nee Dungca), a trackster.Elder brothers Orlando Jr. and Rolando are also members of the national boxing squad. Younger sister Nenita is also eyeing a place in the RP track and field team, but that would, perhaps come later as she is only 12.
Fernando, who will be completing his secondary education at the Francisco Nepomuceno High School in Angeles City this coming school year, looks a cinch to fulfill where his parents, both Southeast Asian Games medalists during their prime, following a successful campaign in the recently concluded 2010 PLDT-ABAP Luzon Area Amateur Boxing Championships.
Showing the stuff his dad is made of in bringing home a bronze medal in the 1985 SEA Games, Fernando, carrying the colors of Angeles City, showed class in disposing off John Mark Parajeto of Olongapo City, 20-14 in the finals of the pinweight division of the junior boys division making himself one of those that made impression with members of the national coaching staff.
Inspired by the presence of the wheelchair-bound Orlando, whose right leg was amputated due to diabetes, and mother Nenita, a 400, 800 and 1,500 ace during her competition days, at the ringside, Fernando showered the hapless Pajareto with stinging combinations that had his opponent at his mercy all throughout the three-round encounter.
Asked why at his tender age he indulge himself in sweet science, Fernando retorted: ?Pangarap ko kasi talaga maging athlete din gaya ng tatay ko mga kapatid ko kaya sinikap ko talagang maging mahusay sa sport na kinagisnan ko (It has really been my dream to become an athlete like my father and brothers that?s why I?ve been trying my best to excel in the sport of boxing).?
?At dahil sila ang nagtuturo mismo sa akin, pinilit ko talagang matutunan lahat ng itinuturo nila (And since they were the ones teaching me the rudiments of boxing, I am doing everything to learn what they?re teaching me).?
To which, the elder Nenita, whose name is still in the record book as the fasted this shore to have run the 400 meters, responded with a big smile.
Fernando is actually one of a few whose performances earned praises from the gallery and coaches alike in this Subic leg of an ambitious grassroot talent search program initiated by ABAP president Ricky Vargas and chair Manny V. Pangilinan.
And the list includes brothers Kelvin Falcunayan and Churchie Falcunayan of Romblon,
Who won their divisions via referee stopped contests. Kelvin stopped David Asug of Camarines Sur in 1:15 of the first round to crown himself the junior division flyweight champ, while Churchie pummeled Reggie Roque of Olongapo City into submission in 1:48 of the second canto of their junior boys division flyweight gold medal bout.
Aidol dela Cruz of Laguna A earned the distinction of scoring the fastest knockout by sending Norman Gemanel of Laguna B, a townmate in Siniloan town, to dreamland 15 seconds into the fight for the youth boys division lightweight plum.
Other winners were light-fly Harmon Jay Valdo of Baguio City and featherweight Johnson Iligan of Puerto Princesa, both in junior boys division; pinweight Noel Peking of Baguio Michael Dasmarinas of Bicol and Joebel Panagsagan of Romblon, all in the youth boys category; Ma. Carolina Marez of Tayabas City A and flyweight Lea Ramon of Tayabas A, both in junior girls level.
All winners qualified in the National Open Youth Championships later this year.
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