- A. V. DEL CARMEN
A middle-and-long distance runner from Sagay City won three gold medals in the 2023 National PRISAA Meet athletics competition held in Zamboanga City until Monday., July 17.
Rogen Rosalios Aguirre, who represented Western Visayas as a student of Central Philippine University in Iloilo City, topped all his events – the 3,000m steeplechase with his clocking of 9 minutes and 7 seconds, 5k (16:7), and 10k (35:05).
“The victories mean a lot. They show where hard work, struggles, sacrifices and dedication can lead to. They are worth it all,” he said.
Aguirre punched his ticket to the Zamboanga Meet when he ruled the three events in the regional meet in Iloilo City.
The award is named in honor of Laruan, the CPU sports director, who passed away in August last year.
The Sagay native from Hda. Ricky in Barangay Paraiso just graduated with a Bachelor of Physical Education degree, and was presented the Edwin C. Laruan Memorial Sports Award as athlete of the year in individual sports.
Aguirre finished his basic education at Ricardo L. Gamboa Elementary School, and Sagay National High School.
A former district, provincial, and regional Palaro standout, the Sagay native joined the 2022 national athletics championship at the Philsport Complex in Pasig, where he finished third in the steeplechase event, and fifth in the 5k competition.
He also registered respectable finishes, including a 10k gold medal, in the PATAFA Weekly Relay Series last year.
In the National Milo 5k races, he placed third and second in the 2018 and 2019 stagings, respectively.
He also has a string of fun run top triumphs in various competitions in Cebu, Panay, and Negros, including the 2023 10k Negrense Abanse race, the Bacolod MassKara 10k run, and the Sagay 10k event last year.
“I have taken these opportunities not only to showcase my running skills but also to earn some income for my training and personal needs,” he told the Negros NOW Daily.
Part of whatever income he derives is sent to his mother, Teresa, for her vitamins and maintenance medicines.
She is still earning from food vending but she needs our help as she is 65 now, he said.
At CPU, he was a working student before he earned a varsity scholarship.
“He approached me if he could try out for our athletics team and I challenged him to win a local PRISAA medal first before he earns a scholarship,” recalled Jan Cayabyab, who mentors the university athletics team, along with Nathan John Villar.
He persevered and eventually earned his varsity scholarship, coach Cayabyab added.
The desire to improve has been the athlete’s motivation, not only in his running ability but in his life, in general.
In his Facebook post, coach Cayabyab traced Aguirre’s journey as a work student “who carries a dream for his family”, and as a pedicab driver, “who thrives to break free from poverty.”
“Yes,” Aguirre told Negros NOW Daily, “my income – as a trisikad driver and other odd jobs, like selling chicken, donuts, and other items for as long as they are decent sources of income – has helped me and also my family in meeting our needs.”
“He was a student athlete, who balanced academics and passion, a runner who knows how to value hard work and dedication, and a son who loves his mother with unquestionable reason,” the coach further said.
Looking back at the beginning of his athletic career, Aguirre said he developed interest after he saw runners on the road while he was at the city plaza selling ‘kakanin’ (like ‘ibus’, ‘puto’ and ‘budbud’) with his father, Roberto.
His constant ‘sikyu’ games with boys his age fueled his running skills, he said.
Aguirre’s father passed away at the age of 65 due to cardiac arrest in February 2018. He was vending food when he was not working as a canetruck driver.
Eventually, the burden of raising 11 children (with Rogen as the 10th child) fell into the hands of his mother.
“I used to help her cook, when I was staying at home then,” said Aguirre, who has been staying at his older sister’s place in Iloilo City after high school graduation.
The athlete said he chose to study at CPU because it has “a center of education” status and known for its “balanced academic, physical, and spiritual” training.
He also expressed gratitude to Sagaynon Arthur Abeleda, a former long-distance running standout and mentor, for helping steer the start of his athletics career. “His achievements inspired me to take running seriously,” he added.
Aguirre reiterated his gratitude to those who have helped him attain his athletic and academic goals. “May God bless them,” he said.
He is looking forward to have the opportunity to represent the country in international competitions, particularly the Southeast Asian Games.
Otherwise, he further said, “I will focus on passing the teachers’ licensure exam and embark on a school and youth-based coaching job so that I can share my knowledge and experiences with the younger ones.” | | NND
