LIVING ASIA CHANNEL
LE TOUR DE FILIPINAS – Return to the World Stage Writer: C.S. Pulido Ocampo Synopsis: The ultimate cycling race of the Philippines goes up a notch yet again, returning to the world stage after more than a decade. Sanctioned by the highest cycling body in the planet— the Union Cycliste Internationale— Padyak Pinoy now bears the name… Le Tour De Filipinas.
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(intro ambient music) Bert Lina: “Sa mga siklista natin… (insert message here)
PDYK 133 – 00: 27:10 Chargen: Bert Lina, Chairman, Lina Group of Companies
(up music) The year is 2010. The Philippines has earned back its place in the prestigious Calendar of Events of the UCI… Union Cycliste Internationale… the highest governing body for the sport of cycling... in the planet. Listed in this Calendar are the best and biggest cycling tours in the world. Among the races in the Asian circuit is the international version of the ultimate cycling tour of the Philippines, the famed Padyak Pinoy.
(images of UCI Calendar)
To the world, Padyak Pinoy now bears a different name. This race is now known as… Le Tour de Filipinas. -TITLE FRAME----------------------------------------“Itong tournament na ito, matagal na naming pinangarap ni Mister Lina. At long last, natupad na.”
PDYK 133 – 00:35:50 Chargen: Bambol Tolentino, Chairperson PhilCycling
(up ambient music, for transition sitners)--------“The last time that the Tour had an international recognition was in 1998. That was what, 12 years ago. Kaya history ito.”
PDYK 144 – 00:15:15 Chargen: Gary Cayton, Head Organizer, LTdF 1
Committed to globalizing the sport of cycling, the Union Cycliste Internationale closely monitors cycling races around the world— and to be recognized, every tour has to guarantee its high standards and continuity, year after year. That Padyak Pinoy has cemented this guarantee is nothing to scoff at. Since 2002— after surviving years of sponsorship drought, and the decline of cycling’s popularity in the country— the organizers have plucked the race out of the doldrums, giving the sport its much-needed boost, and finally, in 2010, propped the Philippines up on the international stage… once again. (up music for snapshots of international teams/ flags/ personalities) -TRANSITION------------------------------------------The morning simmered under the heat of the sun… and the heat of intense anticipation. (up music for Le Tour preps and Tagaytay sitners)
PDYK 135 – 00:24:00 (Le Tour preps)
This is Tagaytay City, a popular weekend destination sitting atop a ridge among the cooler southern mountains of Luzon Island. It may be a city of color, calm, and tranquil vistas, but today, the roads are fanned ablaze… and Tagaytay City gets ready for action.
(fast cuts of road shots, bike shots, action)
(up music for transition sitners)--------------------“Medyo matagal din ang preparasyon, pero kahit na hindi kami magkakasama sa unang training namin, lahat kami handa para sa race.”
PDYK 144 – 00:08:00 Chargen: Team Wow Videoke, Philippines
(up music) “From Mongolia. It’s a new collapsed team. 2
Snow Leopard. It’s our first time in the tour of the Philippines.”
PDYK 144 – 00:17:00 Chargen: Team Snow Leopard, Mongolia
“It’s a big race, and it’s my first time in the Philippines. It’s a very good experience for us.”
PDYK 145 – 00:51:50 Chargen: Team OCBC, Singapore
(up music) Coming from extremely varied backgrounds, the expectations of the different teams were mixed. For one, the boys from the Philippine province of Camarines Sur are quite self-assured. “Sanay na kami d’yan. Kalaban-laban naming ‘yang mga ‘yan sa Tour of CamSur eh. Kaya hindi kami natatakot. Baka sila ang matakot sa amin.
PDYK 144 – 00:04:35 Chargen: Team Lago del Rey and CWC CamSur
May kaunting kaba, pero, kaya ‘yan!” Teams Lago del Rey and CWC CamSur are seasoned fighters in the mountain biking and off-road circles, but conversely, are all road biking neophytes. It is their first time to join an international race. Meanwhile, Santy Barnachea of Team Extra Joss is a regular rider in international events. A champion of several cycling stages in the past years, Barnachea reflected a more circumspective observation. “Siguro ‘yung mga foreigner, ‘yung mga Shimano, tsaka Giant Asia Team, ‘yun ang magpapahirap sa amin.”
PDYK 144 – 00:10:35 Chargen: Santy Barnachea, Captain, Team ExtraJoss
Barnachea’s view is shared by other Filipino cyclists, and it is— in fact— a calculated hypothesis. Shimano, official name of the team from Japan… and GIANT, official name of the team from Taiwan… are well-known world brands of BIKE parts and mechanical accessories. But does this automatically mean superiority? 3