Ni MARIVIC AWITAN

SA patuloy na paglaki ng bilang ng mga overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) sa nakalipas na 30 taon, marami na rin ang sumibol at nakilalalang mga Filipino-foreign athletes sa iba’t-ibang larangan partikular sa sports.

Isa na rito at naghahangad na gumawa ng pangalan sa car racing si Neil Alberico, anak ng isang Filipina nurse mula sa East Coast na si Nora Panganiban.

Bata pa lamang ay nagpakita na ng kanyang tapang, hilig at galing sa karera si Alberico mula sa motorsiklo hanggang sa iba’t ibang sasakyan.

Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, chair ng Coordination Commission ng Brisbane 2032

“Maybe as a child I wasn’t all there,” ani Alberico.. “No, racing just came so naturally to me - it was never something I was afraid of. I probably still think I’m invincible, and maybe that’s what makes us racing drivers so unique. I believe I was very blessed to discover my God given talent at a very young age, and thanks to my parents I was given the opportunity to develop that talent into the person I am today. Of course, I’m constantly learning and trying to be a better athlete but this sport has taught me so much more than becoming a good driver.”

Ngunit, di gaya ng ibang mga atleta na pinasusweldo at may mga tinatawag na corporate sponsors, sa car racing, kinakailangan nilang humanap ng pondo para sa kanilang team kasabay ng pagsisikap nilang makilala at makagawa ng pangalan.

Sa nakalipas na mga taon ganito ang ginagawa ni Alberico kasama ng kanyang team na Rising Star Racing, sa kanilang ginagawang paglalakbay sa US hanggang dito sa Pilipinas para masuportahan ang kanilang passion sa napiling sport.

“There is no other sport in the world like it. Over the history of auto racing, drivers have always had to bring money to the teams to race,” paliwanag ni Alberico..“Today is no different. On top of being a professional athlete, I’ve had to learn how to be a business person as well. Without the latter, the other does not exist. I am extremely blessed to have mentors like my Mom, Dad and Art Wilmes of Rising Star Racing among many others, helping me pursue my passion. How is a teenager supposed to find millions of dollars to go racing without the support of equally ambitious and dedicated mentors?”

Mapalad naman ang Fil-American car racer dahil sinusuportahan siya ng kanyang management team na Rising Star Racing (RSR).

”RSR only works with drivers in need of money. It is part of our need meets talent approach,” paliwanag ni Art Wilmes, founder at CEO ng Rising Star Racing. ”Neil is no exception. The last four years have been particularly difficult for Neil. He has not had the funding to participate in off-season testing. The reality of racing is that most gains are made during the off-season testing program. Instead, Neil has not had the financial means to participate in a program, rather just having the means to only jump into a car generally at or just prior to the first race of the season. This is a difficult way to advance in auto racing. There is no doubt that Neil’s career is suffering by this lack of “seat-time”. Our focus for Neil is to generate the sponsorship necessary to continue a career with its best years still to come.”

Taglay ang mga katangian ng isang mahusay na racer, mabilis na umaangat sa kanyang career si Alberico na sa nagsimula ng kumarera para sa No. 2 Team Pelfrey Mazda sa Grand Prix ng St. Petersburg, Florida, ang traditional Indy Lights season opener noong Marso 5.