58. A Life of Hurdling Barriers: JULIAN R. SAPNU, 1917 Far East Games Medalist

The Central Luzon running champion of the 1910s-1920s decade was born JULIAN R. SAPNU of humble origin on 3 January 1892 in Bacolor, Pampanga. In that rustic, old town, the country boy Julian—like all youngsters attending U.S. administered public schools, took to running as part of the school’s required physical education subject.

An all-around athlete, Sapnu competed regularly at the Central Luzon Athletic Association Meets as a hurdler and sprinter. He made news when, as a member of the Pampanga contingent to the 1917 competition, he and his team mates Domingo Garcia, Wencesla Dizon, and Prudencio Lumanlan, equalled the existing 1915 meet record in the 880 yard relay with a time of 1:38.6 mins. He was thus recommended by the provincial athletic association to the national try-outs to determine the members of the Philippine team that will be sent to the 1917 Far Eastern Championship Games--the Oriental Olympics--slated for 8-12 May in Tokyo, Japan.

To his utter surprise,  Sapnu passed the qualifying test, along with his kabalen, Magin Ferrer of San Fernando and Silvestre Manaloto of Mexico. He was already 25 years old at that time, rather senior for a meet where athletes were mostly 18 to 20 years old. Sapnu sailed for Japan in April aboard the passenger ship Panay. His passport indicated that he stood 5 feet tall, with an “oval face, small nose with a broad base, medium forehead and mouth, round chin and black eyes”.

Sapnu officially competed in the 220 yds Hurdles (straight) and set a record of sort for the Philippines as the fighting Filipinos completed a 1-2-3 sweep of all the medals up for grabs. The Gold Medal went to 19 year old Manila student Isabelo Astroquillo (28.6 secs.), Silver to 18 year old Calbayog student Calixto Bello (28.8 secs.), and the Bronze to Kapampangan Julian Sapnu (29 secs. flat).\

The Philippines also won the 4 x 220 yd. (or 880 yd.)  Relay, which was one of Sapnu’s favorite races. The composition of the 4-member team, however, was not recorded, but it is almost certain that Sapnu was part of the victorious men’s relay team that trounced Japan and China. These track events (220 yd. hurdles, 4 x 220 yd. relay) are no longer standard events at most athletic meets, including the Olympics.

Still, a single Bronze Medal in an international meet is surely not bad for someone who, just months ago, was just another provincial athlete with a potential waiting to be unlocked. And he showed how great that potential was when, returning to the 1918 CLAA Meet, he once again equalled the 4 x 220 yds relay meet record along with team-mates Wenceslao Dizon, Florentino Ravalo, and Catalino Dizon. As per records, it was still standing in 1935.

It would seem that after 1917, there is little we know of Sapnu’s athletic career. We do know he remained in Potrero, Bacolor where he married Melencia (or Nemencia) P. Cano around 1919, as by 1920 they had their first daughters Amelia and Carmelita (both born within 1920), followed by Perlita (1922),  Lorita (b.1926), Leonardo (b.1930), and Eloy (b.1931). After his running years were over, Julian R. Sapnu became a police officer of the San Fernando Police Department, the neighboring capital town of Pampanga.

A 1932 news item indicated that on 15 July 1931, the provincial commander filed a complaint against Sapnu and was investigated by the San Fernando municipal council regarding an unspecified charge. The matter was referred to the provincial board. However, Sapnu was given a copy of the charges only on 6 Jan. 1932, some 5 months later, instead of the 5-day period set by the administrative code. The Executive Office declared thus that the board has no jurisdiction to investigate, and the case was dropped.

Sapnu lived to see his children get married and have families. Since then,  nothing more was heard of this great Central Luzon champion runner who gave the country a cause for celebration, with his modest, but historic contribution to Philippine sports, at a time when we were one of the top 3 best-performing countries in regional Athletics. Julian Sapnu passed away on 19 Mach 1966 at the age of 74.

SOURCES;

Central Luzon Athletic Association 1934-1935 Program

Passport Applications - Philippine Islands, Volume 25 (5600-5849)

Investigacion Contra un Policia, Anulada, El Fiscal Declara Que la junta provincial no tiene facultades para ella”, La Vanguardia, 16 Dec. 1932, p. 1

 

51. Sprinter and Hurdler CONSTANTINO J. ALAMBRA: Far East Man of Speed

The 1930s decade spawned many sprinting stars, thanks to the athletic programs of the United States Army Philippine Division for their Filipino scouts and recruits.  Every year, the McKinley Games, consisting of track and field and swimming events, were held to test the sporting skills and strengths of both the U.S. and Filipino army men.

Many products of these games went on to become national athletes that competed in Olympics and major regional sporting competitions like medalists Miguel White (hurdler), Teofilo Yldefonso (swimmer), Nemesio de Guzman (track),  and Far East Games champ Miguel Sujeco (pole vaulter). Add to this list the name of CONSTANTINO J. ALAMBRA, who made a name for himself as both a hurdler, sprinter and relay specialist at the Far East Championship Games.

Very little is known about Alambra’s life before he became an athlete. Like many able-bodied young men out to find their place in the sun, Alambra applied, and was taken in by the U.S. Army Phil. Division, as member of the Philippine Scouts. It was in the McKinley Games that his running talent was discovered when he began winning various events from the quarter-mile run (400 m) to shorter sprints, and the hurdles. Alambra was considered a major rival of the celebrated hurdler/sprinter Miguel White, and they have crossed tracks many times.

In 1929, the Army fielded him in the Philippine National Athletic Meet where Alambra ruled the 400 meter run. He duplicated that feat in 1930, and established a National Record of 51.0 secs. With that feat, he also earned a ticket to the 1930 Far East Games held in Tokyo, Japan, where he was entered in 3 events.

Alambra bombed out of the 200 meter dash but captured two team Silvers for the 4 x 200 m. Relay (with German Candari, Anselmo Gonzaga, and David Nepomuceno) and the 4 x 400 m. Relay (with Candari, Gonzaga and Miguel White), all won by Japanese athletes who managed to keep the athletic championship title. That year’s Far East Games would be known for the sorry performances of the Filipino athletes who could only bag 2 Golds, won by Felizardo Casia (200 m. hurdles) and Simeon Toribio (high jump).

P.A.A.F. officials lost no time in revitalizing the sports program to ensure that this would not happen again. After all, the Philippines was poised to host the next Far East Games in 1934, followed by the the staging of the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.

The 1931 Philippine National Athletic Meet was once again held in February, with the best athletes from the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) , the Army, and the Bureau of Education. Defending champion Alambra was the heavy favorite to win the 400 m. race. One more win could earn him the chance to own the P.A.A.F.  Silver Cup permanently, as he had already won the same event twice in  the past 2 years. He breezed thru the trials and was supposed to run on the final day of the competition. Unfortunately, he developed cramps and pulled out of the Finals, allowing NCAA stand-out Silvino Cristobal to take the quarter-mile run.

Alambra took the loss in stride and focused on his training that included travelling to Iloilo and Negros Oriental in November 1933, along with fellow McKinley athletes to give exhibition and compete against the best athletes of the provinces. His efforts bore fruit as by the end of April 1934, the P.A.A.F announced that he had been shortlisted as one of the 71 athletes, to be quartered in De La Salle College as aspirants for the Philippine Olympic Team.

The candidates were divided into groups and assigned a Coach to oversee their over-all training. After their training, they will run in qualifying races against each other to determine the final members of the Philippine team. Coach Pedro Ablan was assigned to groups of athletes who were proficient in running all races that covered the 400 m distance: 400 m. flat race, 400 m. hurdles, 4 x 400 m. (1600) relay. Alambra was in this elite group that included names like Miguel White, Nemesio de Guzman, Jesus Roa, Serafin Estrada, and German Candari.

Alambra triumphed in the 400 meter hurdles, upsetting Miguel White who came in 2^nd, with Roa in 3^rd. In the 400 m. race, however, Candari smashed Alambra’s national record of 51 secs., lowering it down to 50.2 secs. In the 4 x 400 m. relay, Alambra teamed up with Candari, White and de Guzman to tie the record that they themselves set early in April. Their clocking of 3:20.0 mins broke the games record of 3:24.06 secs by the Japanese in the last Far East Games.

On 4 April 1934, the names of the members of the new Philippine athletic team to the 1934 Far East Games in Manila were announced—and Alambra was high up on the list. He has made it again to his second Oriental Olympics, this time, happening in his home turf of Manila.

Hopes and spirits were high as the 1934 Games opened in the heart of Manila. After days of intense competition, host nation  Philippines, again took second place overall in Athletics after Japan. This time though, Filipinos claimed the other seven titles and had a clean sweep in the 400 meters—in the 400 m. hurdles, Miguel White denied his arch-rival the Gold, and this time, Alambra had to settle for the Silver medal, but still ahead of Japan’s Masao Michihara, the Bronze medalist.

The 400 m. flat race saw the Filipinos winning the top 3 places with German Candari breaking the 50 sec. barrier with a 49.8 sec. clocking, followed by Nemesio de Guzman and Serafin Estrada. In the 4 x 400 m,, the Philippine team (Alambra, Candari, de Guzman, White) won the exciting match with 3:20.3 mins, just a hair’s breadth ahead from Japan which finished in 3:20.5 mins.Though the Philippines still placed 2^nd to Japan, our athletes’ performance was way better than the last edition.

 Alambra was touted as a possible Philippine Olympic team member for the 1936 Berlin Olympiad, but in the end, only 4 runners were sent to Germany: Miguel White, Nemesio de Guzman, Antonio Salcedo and Teodoro Malasig. It was in Berlin that White placed 3^rd in the 400 m. hurdles and won a rare Bronze for the Philippines.

With the end of the major athletic tournaments, Alambra buckled down to focus on his family. He took on a wife, Mariana Japson, an Ilocana. A son, Fermin, was born to them in 1939. In 1940, Alambra was appointed teacher of Leyte High School by the Director of Education, Celedonio Salvador. 

Things were going well until the War intervened. Lt. Constantino Alambra was called to active duty and died defending the country. His name, along with 51 other athlete heroes, is inscribed a bronze plaque that was unveiled on 17 July 1951, on the wall of the coliseum facade inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. It was put up during the term of president Jorge Vargas of the  Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation.

 SOURCES:

Friedlander, Alfred. “Results of the Philippine National Athletoc Competitions”, Graphic Magazine, 18 Feb. 1931, p. 22

“3 Swimmers, 1 Track Man Leaving for Visayas This Morning”, La Vanguardia,  27 Nov. 1933. P.9

“71 candidates are quartered aspirants for the P.O. Olympic Team at La Salle College”. Tribune, 24 Mar. 1934, p. 10

“Three Record were Improved in the Final Tests”, Tribune, 30 Apr. 1934, p. 10

Alinea Eddie, “For Flag and Country: In Sports and in War”, Business Mirror, 28 Aug. 2022.  https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/08/28/for-flag-and-country-in-sports-and-in-war/

Alinea, Eddie, “A Tribute to Sports War Heroes”, Philboxing.com. 13 June 2013. http://m.philboxing.com/news/story-84257.ht

38. My Most Thrilling Game: SEBASTIAN UGARTE, Champion Football Player, Graphic Magazine, 27 Nov. 1929

Here is a reproduced article from Philippine Graphic Magazine, from Nov. 27, 1929, part of "My Most Thrilling Game", a series of sports features based on interviews with our most popular athletes of the 1920s generation.

The name of SEBASTIAN UGARTE is familiar to all lovers of athletics. For one thing, while writing sports write-ups regularly for four publications and occasionally for two others—one of them GRAPHIC—he was usually seen wherever games were played. And for another thing, he figures in several branches of athletics.

But his fame lies in soccer football, which he began playing early in life—so early that by the time he was fifteen, he was already in the big leagues. He was for a long time a member of the La Salle combination, for fourteen consecutive years collegiate soccer champion of the Philippines. He has also played for the now defunct Circulo Recreativo, Club Filipino, Casino Español, last year’s champion Santo Tomas eleven, and some others. There can be little doubt that he is the best right-out in the country, for he can center a “cornered” pigskin with deadly precision, can dribble and pass skillfully, and has considerable force behind his kick.

In his sixteenth year, he was asked to join the Olympic team, but as they traveled to Osaka, his family objected on the ground of his youth. Later, however, he eventually became an Olympic player.

 “The most thrilling game I’ve ever played?” He considered the question for a minute or two before deciding: “I think that came about when I was with the All-Manila outfit which invaded Java a few years ago. We were playing then in Batavia, the capital, against the ‘Hercules’ aggregation—a team worthy of its name, for it was certainly a strong one.

 “The game began badly for us, and throughout the first half and the best portion of th second, all indications were to the effect that it would end that way too.

“The fight was heated enough and, for that matter, fundamentally even also. But somehow, they had the edge on us and whereas they failed repeatedly, we couldn’t manage to shoot the sphere between their goal posts. It seemed as if we were, to put it in soccer parlance, ‘dominated’. However, we didn’t lose hop and were resolved not to let the battel ease to the very end.

 “Ten minutes before the whistle blew for the last time, with the score three to nothing in favor of the Javanese team, a series of unexpected things began to happen. I don’t know what started them, but start they did.

 “Perhaps, we sort of became desperate and determined to make at least one goal before the game ended, fought like tigers. In any case, we surpassed all expectations . We made rush after rush, breaking through the Hercules defense again and again, the while checking all efforts of our opponents to advance and retaliate. And all in ten minutes—but believe me, within that short space of time was packed the thrill of years!

“To this day, I don’t know how we did it.”

Mr. Ugarte smiled humorously. “it was a miracle, really! From out the fury with which we attacked and the Javanese defended, a shot streak past the Javanese goal-keeper. Score 1-3. That was encouraging, perhaps electrifying, to the Filipinos. That lone tally inspired us. The furious mix-ups which followed found the sphere shooting into enemy goal twice in quick succession. The score was now 3-3.

 “The Javanese literally became ferocious at this state of the game, and we, with the coming of hope for victory, were no less fierce. In that atmosphere—one goal and a few fast fading minutes to make it—was defeat or victory.

 “The ball was soon sailing across the field---and in the direction of our own goal. The Javanese were determined to shoot another goal, and the ball was approaching the goal posts with lightning speed and deadly precision. A beautiful kick from the Javanese and the sphere shot straight between the posts. Our heart sank with that beautiful kick, but we hoped our own goal keeper would stop it—and he did. The ball sped back now into enemy territory and there followed one of the most desperate seconds of football I have ever played.

We got the ball so near the enemy goal posts that only a few feet separated us from victory. But the Javanese would not yield, but there followed a last second which gave us victory.”

SOURCES:

 GRAPHIC, 27 Nov. 1929 issue

De La Salle Alumni Association Sports Hall of Fame 1993

Photo: 1930 Far east games Foot ball team, wikimedia commons

29. Twice A Hero: JACINTO CIRIA CRUZ, 1936 Basketball Olympian

The Filipino basketball Olympian, JACINTO CIRIA CRUZ may have lived a short life, but his selfless contributions to the country were enough to leave a lasting mark in our history. In the fight for Olympic honors, he was part of the fabled 1936 Olympic basketball team that gave the country a Top 5 finish in the premiere world sporting competitions—the highest placement Asia has reached in an Olympic basketball finals, a feat never repeated nor equalled since, 88 years ago. And, in the fight for freedom, Ciria Cruz made the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life in the service of his people and his country at the height of a global war.

JACK OF ALL SPORTS

 Born in Pandacan, Manila, on 16 Aug. 1910, the young Jacinto always had an affinity with body and mind-building. He was a member of a local club, Panulat at Lakas, that promoted both physical and mental well-being through sports and literary pursuits. Cirio Cruz excelled in baseball, volleyball, and basketball—but it was on the hardcourt that earned him national recognition.

In high school, Ciria Cruz was often found practicing basketball in the cemented court on the grounds of Pandacan Church.  He bannered the champion Mapa High School basketball team in the Manila Athletic Association of Secondary Schools basketball tournaments, where he had early encounters with another cage sensation, Ambrosio Padilla, of Ateneo High.

Padilla recalls him for his ability to think quickly with his mind and his feet, his clever, unpredictable moves and his high-altitude leaps, which earned Ciria Cruz the nickname, “Jumping Jack”.

COURTING VICTORY AT THE 1930 TOKYO FAR EAST GAMES

These qualities paved the way for his entrance to the University of Santo Tomas and a place in the Glowing Goldies varsity basketball team. The 5’9” guard showed his basketball mastery by leading the UST team to an NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) to a championship title in 1930.  Ciria Cruz was recruited to try out for the national basketball team that was being assembled for the 9th Far East Championship Games in Tokyo.

Of course, Ciria Cruz passed with flying colors along with former nemesis Ambrosio Padilla, UST team mates Mariano Filomeno, Alfredo del Rosario, Rizalino Gamban, Antonio Villanueva; Johnny Schlobohm (Ateneo),  Jesus Lacson Suarez (Ateneo); and Briccio Reynoso (U.P.). The team sailed to Japan in May 1930 for the Far East Games.  Since the inception of the games, the Philippine basketball teams had always brought home the crown, except in 1921, when China prevailed.

As expected, the Philippines and Japan played exceptionally well, and after playing all their matches, the 2 countries were tied for first place. A play-off settled the final placements with the Filipinos drubbing the Japanese, thus extending their winning streak. The triumphant Philippine basketball team were hailed as conquering heroes upon their return home, their photos and feats were plastered on sports headlines of the leading papers of the day. But for Ciria Cruz, it was back to the usual swing of things, as he resumed his basketball duties for U.S.T. 

In October 1932, Ciria Cruz made news again during the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation (P.A.A.F.) Open National basketball tourney when he scored the winning goal against the formidable Sampaloc Vandals in the last 8 seconds  of the play.

Ciria Cruz received the supreme accolade from his school when he was voted as their Most Valuable Athlete in March 1933 during the first annual athletic commencement, winning over baseballers Celestino Martinez and Regino Portacion. Jacinto’s name has the distinction of being inscribed first on the “Most Valuable Athlete Cup” (Seville Cup), donated by the institution’s sports head, Dr. Hermenigildo Sevilla. He also received a Gold Medal for his achievement.

REBOUND: AT THE 1934 FAR EAST GAMES IN MANILA

Once again, in 1934, Ciria Cruz made it to the Philippine team for the Far Eastern Games in Manila, and so did his 1930 team mates Padilla, Filomeno, Reynoso, Schlobohm, with new members Franco Marquicias, Herminio Gonzaga, Primitivo Martinez, Bibiano Ouano, Amador Obordo, Hermino Silva, and Daniel Warren. 1930 team mate Alfredo del Rosario, served as Coach. The Philippines reached the finals, and playing against them were their 1921 tormentors, China. But the Philippines dominated the play and went on to win the basketball gold, capping a glorious run in the 10^th and last of the Far East Games.

For the second straight year, Ciria Cruz was chosen as  “Most Valuable Athlete of 1934” by U.S.T. and was presented the Seville Cup for his all-around achievements in sports. To prove that point, he coached the U.S.T Baseball Team which went on to become one of the strongest teams in the Manila Bay Baseball League tournament in October 1935. In March, the following year, Ciria Cruz joined the same baseball team as a centerfielder to play against the Hawaiian All-Stars  in an exhibition match in Cebu. The Philippines were soundly, beaten 7 to 3, before a record crowd. His team later joined Hawaii’s baseball 9 in the southern leg of their tour.

HISTORY IN BERLIN, 1936

But the best was yet to come for this crack athlete. In 1936, the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation sounded a call for a national try-out to determine the members of the Philippine Basketball Team for the upcoming Berlin Olympics.  The cream of the crop of basketball from schools, universities and leagues nationwide came in droves for the gruelling qualifiers, which pruned the number down to 37 players making the cut.

After deliberation, 17 more Olympic hopefuls were dropped, leaving 20 finalists. Under the watchful eye of coach Dionisio Calvo, elimination games were held at the Rizal Memorial Field to choose the final 12. When the names of the official team members were announced, none were surprised at the inclusion of Jacinto “Jumping Jack” Ciria Cruz, the toast of the basketball circuit, along with Ambrosio Padilla (captain), Charles Borck, Franco Marquicias, Primitivo Martinez, Jesus Marzan, Amador Obordo, Bibiano Ouano, ,Fortunato Yambao, with reserves Antonio Carillo, Miguel Pardo, and John Worrell.

Ciria Cruz and the rest of the team sailed to Berlin in July, arriving there in a month’s time for the August opening. “Hitler’s Olympics”, as the games were later dubbed, was plagued with rains, making the outdoor court soggy. To cut short the ballgames, the rules were changed in the finals to a system of knock-out rounds.

This proved to be disadvantageous to the Filipinos, because they were knocked out of contention by the taller Americans in the quarterfinal rounds (56 to 23), even if they had won earlier against Estonia, Italy, Uruguay and eventual Bronze winner, Mexico, in the earlier rounds. The Philippines placed 5^th, an unprecedented victory not only for the country, but for Asia, as it remains the best continental finish in the Olympics to this day.

POST-OLYMPICS AND PRE-WAR PLAYS

After the Olympics, Ciria Cruz put his B.S. Physical Education to good use by coaching and mentoring young athletes in local games. In 1936, he coached the “Flying A” Volleyball team that won a volleyball competition sponsored by the TVT publications held in the grounds of Florentino Torres high school in Tondo.

The Philippine Olympic Team were so popular that they were in great demand to play exhibition games around the country. They were included as part of the 10 teams in the 1936-37 Manila Bay Amateur Basketball League that got underway on 15 November 1936.

Then, on 29 January 1937 Ciria Cruz and his Olympic mates suited up once more to play a controversial match against Southern California’s inter-collegiate basketball quintet, the Trojans. In a messy game marred by a near-walk out due to the boisterous crowd, the American collegians drubbed the local boys 61 to 36 drubbing before an overflow of 10,000 ball fans at the Rizal tennis stadium.

His competitive days ended when he joined Colegio de San Juan de Letran as coach of the men’s basketball team. Under his helm, the college won the NCAA cage crown in 1938. In May 1940, Ciria Cruz was one of the coaches of the Philippine team that were sent to compete in the 1940 Japan Memorial Games-- the “missing Olympics” that were scrapped and moved to Helsinki because of Japan’s role in precipitating a World War.

Coach Ciria Cruz had just introduced the Letran Junior and Senior Team for the 1941 NCAA season slated to begin in August 1941 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, when World War II broke out shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, on 8 Dec. 1941.

A HERO’S END GAME

A military career under American rule held much attraction for many athletes like Olympian swimmers Teofilo Yldefonso, Abduhraman Ali and hurdler Miguel White were with the Philippine Scouts.

The calling must have been felt as well by Jacinto Ciria Cruz as he had enlisted with the USAFFE (United States Armed Forces in the Far East)  just months before the war reached the Pacific.  Since the invasion of Manchuria by Japan, talks had been rife about a global war, and by 1937, the threat had become real, finally coming to a head with the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Mobilized to defend the country were the Commonwealth Army and the USAFFE that  include the combined forces of 100,000 Filipinos and underground guerillas. 2^nd Lt. Ciria Cruz joined the defense of Bataan Peninsula, until its fall to the Japanese on 9 April 1942. He survived the Death March, and reached Camp O’Donnell in Tarlac only to fall sick due to the conditions there. Japanese soldiers came to learn of his athletic exploits in the Tokyo Far East Games, and so was accorded special courtesies. He was released in July to continue his treatment at the San Lazaro Hospital.

With the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines, Ciria Cruz tried to live his days with a semblance of normalcy. He returned to the sports scene in late September 1942, at the “Unang Sigaw” Basketball League in Balintawak, Caloocan, as the event’s Guest of Honor. The next month of October,  Ciria Cruz, along with former Olympians Herminio Silva and Alfredo del Rosario, reunited to referee the games for the day.

On 8 November 1942, on the occasion of Letran Alumni Day, cage tilts were lined up as part of the homecoming activities at the Letran court, pitting alumni teams “Blue” and “Red”.  Coach Ciria Cruz had the honor of refereeing the matches. One of the last yearend activities he attended was the formal organization of the Alumni Association’s Athletic Union on the evening of 1 Dec. 1942 at the Jose Rizal Stadium, in which Jose D. Warren, of the Jose Rizal College, was elected president.

Little did everyone know that Jacinto Ciria Cruz, had been seething with rage at the daily cruelties committed by the Japanese on his helpless countrymen. In 1943, he returned to join the Hunter’s ROTC underground guerilla movement, serving as captain in operations around Luzon.

In one such mission in Bayambang, Nueva Vizcaya, Capt. Ciria Cruz and his men were captured by the Japanese. This time, not even the kind assurance of former Japanese athletes-turned-soldiers who knew him from his Tokyo exploits could save him. On Christmas Eve, he was tortured for 24 hours into admitting his involvement in the guerrilla movement, but he remained steadfast in silence. A POW witness, Victorio Ludan, said that he saw the emaciate and bloodied captain dragged Ciria-Cruz and his men out of their cells by 5 bayonet-armed Japanese. The soldiers returned later with their blood-stained bayonets, but the Filipinos were never seen again, and were presumed killed, their bodies never recovered.

Thus, Jacinto  Ciria-Cruz left this world in a blaze of heroic glory twice—first, as an athlete, for reaping the highest basketball honors for the Philippines in the greatest sporting spectacle that is the  Olympics, and second, as a soldier of courage, for giving his life for his country’s freedom. In his honor, the sprawling recreation and multi-facilities sports center in his home district of Pandacan, Manila was named after him; the Jacinto Ciria Cruz Sports Complex.

SOURCES:

 JACINTO VOTED MOST VALUABLE Santo Tomas All Round Athlete Given Cup and Gold Medal As Prize Reward, The Tribune (Philippines : 1932 - 1945)Saturday 11 March 1933 - Page 7

 Jacinto Is Voted Valuable Athlete, The Tribune (Philippines : 1932 - 1945)Tuesday 13 March 1934 - Page 9

Olympic Medal, The Tribune, 9 May 1934, p. 1

 The Tribune, 6 March 1936, p. 6. Graham Homers as Hawaiians Beat Tommies VISITORS WIN CEBU CONTEST

SPORTS OF ALL SORTS Santo Tomas Athletic Commencement on Today Jacinto Is Most Valuable Athlete; Will Receive Seville Cup, The Tribune (Philippines : 1932 - 1945)Saturday 10 March 1934 - Page 11

The Tribune, July 8, 1942, p. 3: Sick Prisoners Praise Japanese Captives Given Fair Treatment in Tarlac

2 Dec. 1942, p. 2. ATHLETIC UNION ORGANIZED

Walking Tour of Pandacan (Lakbay Kamalaysayan) FB page

1936 Official Olympic Report, 1936 Berlin Olympics, LA 84 Digital Collection

28. 1928 Olympic Sprinter ANSELMO P. GONZAGA: The Cainta Flash (active 1927-1934)

In the 1920s, with the athletic programs introduced by the U.S. in the school curriculum in full blast, scores of fine Filipino sprinters were discovered and trained to become national athletes who found fame in meets, here and abroad. Old sports fans still recall names such as Fortunato Catalon, Juan Taduran, Pedro Yatar, German Candari, and David Nepomuceno. But one name stands out for making waves in the world athletics scene despite a short career: ANSELMO P. GONZAGA, popularly referred to as Cainta’s Speed Marvel or the Cainta Flash.

Although he was a celebrate athlete in his time and had a long career, there are scanty accounts of Gonzaga’s early life. He was born on 21 April 1906, the son of Andres Gonzaga and Juana Pineda. He had at least one known sibling, Rosa Gonzaga. The Gonzagas were from Cainta, Rizal, where many of the natives have dark complexions due to its large Indian populace that intermarried with the locals. Anselmo, himself, was swarthy-skinned, but this may also be a result of his outdoor training runs.

How he came to be a student of Silliman University in Dumaguete is not known, but it was here that the Gonzaga’s reputation as an outstanding runner was first heard of. The Far East Games Championships was already an established Asian regional event by the 1920s, with active participation from sports clubs and varsity school teams from all over the country.

Visayan schools regularly sent their best athletes to the Carnival fair athletic tournaments which were used as qualifying tryouts for the Far East Games . The collegian Gonzaga made news when he set a new Philippine record of 10.5 seconds, a time that was the 4^th best in the world in 1927.

 Gonzaga’s next stop was Shanghai, for the 1927 Far East Games, where he was entered in the sprint events and the relay. The 100 m. was captured by team mate Olympian David Nepomuceno, but Gonzaga came back strong in the 200 m. straight race, with a time of 22.3 secs., relegating Nepomuceno in 3^rd place, and Japanese Takayoshi Yoshioka in 2^nd. In the 4 x 200 Relay, the Philippine quartet that included Gonzaga, won over Japan with a time of 1:31.20 secs.

1928 would bring to Gonzaga, his most exciting and memorable games yet in his career, for he not only qualified for the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, but was also selected to be the flag bearer of the 8-man Philippine delegation (4 athletes, 4 officials) during the parade of nations held in the Netherlands. Entered in the 100 m. and 200 m. events, Gonzaga struggled to find his form that made him the Philippines’ top sprinter.

The international runners were grouped to run in 16 heats;  the 2 fastest would then advance to the quarterfinals. Gonzaga was in Heat #16, where he placed a strong second to Bob McAllister. Gonzaga moved on to the 6 Quarterfinal series, each with 5 or 6 qualifiers. This time, he could only finish 4^th of 5 runners,  that was topped by American Frank C. Wykoff who clocked 10 and 4/5 or 10.8 secs. Gonzaga was thus eliminated. The 100 m. gold eventually went to Percy Williams of Canada with a time of 10.8 secs. (Gonzaga’s best was 10.5 secs.).

In the 200 meter race, Gonzaga ran in the 5^th of 15 qualifying heats. He placed 3^rd with a time of 22.7 secs, behind the American champion Charlie Paddock and Mario Gomez, thus did not advance to the next round. Canada’s Percy Williams completed a golden double by winning the 200 m. finals, with 21.8 secs. (Note: In 1980, at age 92, Williams committed suicide by shooting himself.)

Gonzaga returned home inspire by his valuable Olympic experience—he forged on to do even better. In February of 1929, he and his college mates from Silliman (Carlos Raymond, Manuel Astida, and a certain Mamerto), shattered the Philippine mile relay record. The next year, he ran in a demonstration race against visiting German world record middle-distance runner, Dr. Otto Peltzer. In the run-up to the 1930 Far Eastern Games, he set a personal best during the national open of 21.5 secs. for the 200 m. run.

As always, he was fielded in the 100 m. and 200 m. sprints when the games unfolded in Tokyo. In his favorite 100 m., he was outran by Japan’s ace runner, Takayoshi Yoshioka, whom he had beaten in the longer 200 m. race 3 years ago. As if that was no fluke, Yoshioka also won the 200 m. race, leaving Gonzaga with a Silver medal. As a consolation, Gonzaga would win 2 more Silvers in the Team events—the 4 x 200 m. relay (with German Candari, David Nepomuceno, Constantino Alhambra) and the 4 x 400 relay (with Candari, Miguel White, Alhambra).

In the years following the Far East Games, Gonzaga was said to have won his last double title in the sprint at the national championships in 1932. In early1934, he was expected to make a comeback at the National Open Track and Field Meet, as newspapers reported he was doing well in his favorite 100 m. event.

Indeed, in  March 1934 , Gonzaga was listed among 77 athletes quartered in La Salle College for the open tryouts that will determine the members of the Philippine team to compete in the Far East Games to be held in Manila. Though he made the trials, he made a poor showing at the tune-up games conducted at the Rizal Memorial Field on April 28.

Picked to shine in the century dash, the Cainta Flash disappointed the fans by finishing fifth in the tevent, soundly beaten by Rafael de Leon. He only placed third in the 200-meter dash. The results of the test events proved to be ominous, as when the 1934 Far East Games went underway, Gonzaga was unplaced in all his events.  The Philippines romped off with the overall championship, a fitting finale to the last of the fabled “Oriental Olympics”.

The veteran Gonzaga retired at age 28, but would return to the track every now and then as a sports official, referee or field event judge. He was, by then married to Aquilina Buenviaje, and in 1936, had a son, Jaime.

The cancellation of the 1938 Far East Olympics schedule in Japan was a portent of a coming global war. Suddenly, the friendly sporting rivalry between Japan and the Philippines, a U.S. ally, escalated into an armed conflict that spread to the Far East. When Japan invaded the Philippines, a guerilla movement--Hunter’s ROTC—was formed in 1942, and Anselmo Gonzaga became an officer of the Cainta chapter. To this day, he is honored as one of those credited in the liberation of Cainta.

Nothing more was heard about him in the next 4 decades, but U.S. immigration records show that he and his family migrated to the U.S. on 9 Oct. 1985, and settled in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was already 79 years old at that time. That was the last we heard of the great Cainta Flash, who, for one brief shining moment, animated the world of Philippine sports.

 SOURCES:

Photo, 1934 FEG Athletics team: The Tribune, 9 May 1934,

Official Olympic Report Program, 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, LA 84 Digital Collection

Various Tribune issues:  Jan, 24, 1934, p. 7; 24 March 1934; 29 April 1934, page 26

Far East Championships: http://www.gbrathletics.com/ic/fec.htm

 familysearch.org, U.S. Migration, United States Index to Alien Case Files, 1940-2003, Anselmo Gonzaga : https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6FY4-FQB5

Ancelmo P. Gonzaga, mentioned in the Record of Jaime B. Gonzaga (Ancelmo P. Gonzaga's Son)Vital, Philippines Marriages, 1723-1957: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HBV8-676Z

Ika-78 Anibersaryo ng Cainta Liberation,uploaded by Atty. And Mayor  Elen Nieto: https://www.facebook.com/elen.nieto.7/videos/867441764513397/

25. Athlete, Coach, Educator: PEDRO ABLAN, 1917 Far East Games Medalist

One of the most accomplished track coaches in the 1930s was PEDRO ABLAN, himself a talented middle distance race specialist. Born on 9 Dec. 1891 in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, The young Ablan discovered running as part of his school’s physical education classes. He was a constant presence in interscholastic meets, winning many medals. He pursued running when he came to Manila to study at the Philippine Normal School, and managed to improve his times to become a national record holder for 3 consecutive years beginning 1915  in the 440 yard dash.

The 5 foot 4 Ablan became a mainstay of the winningest Philippine team to the Far Eastern Championship Games that took part in the Manila (1913) and Shanghai games (1915). In Shanghai, he was part of the Philippine men's team that won Gold in the 880 m. yard relay, along with  Fortunato Catalon, Genaro Saavedra, and Nicolas Llaneta. His Far East campaign culminated  with a Bronze Medal finish at the 1917 edition in Tokyo, Japan. He placed third behind two Japanese runners Shinsaku Yamanouchi  (Gold, 55.0 secs.) and Iwao Saeki (Silver, 55.2 secs.). Ablan clocked 56.2 secs. , a Philippine record, and became a much-talked about sprinter in the Philippines, China and Japan.

In 1918, Ablan was deep in training for the next Far Eastern Games, when he was found unconscious on the athletic field, stricken with a debilitating illness. He had to stop running and was scratched off from the team. As if that was not enough, his 440 yard record was broken by another Filipino sprinter. He recovered soon enough, but he found out that he had lost his former speed.

But behind every setback, there was a silver lining. When he was well enough, he married Soledad Adiarte (b. 1895) , retired from running to become a track coach at a local high school. It was while coaching that Ablan was selected as a pensionado of the Philippine government to study physical education abroad. Upon the recommendation of Vice-Governor Charles E. Yeater, Ablan was accepted at the Missouri College in Springfield (now Missouri State University), that was known for its outstanding physical education program.

In September 1919, Ablan, together with another Filipino who would also become an eminent sports leader—Serafin Aquino—began his studies at the Missouri college. His reputation as a champion sprinter had preceded him, and his athletic feats were written about in local community newspapers.

After graduating in 1922, Pedro Ablan returned to the Philippine Islands as physical director in the public schools. During World War II, he served as captain in the Philippine Army, and he received an honorable discharge in 1948. Ablan dedicated the remainder of his life to physical education.

He assumed the post of Physical Director of his alma mater Philippine Normal School and led the track team to victory at the Manila Interscholastic Athletic Association (M.I.A.A.) meets in 1932 and 1935. In 1934, he served as assistant coach of the P.A.A.F. athletic events, and helped in the training of the Philippine squad for the 1936 Olympics.

The revered Ablan rose to become a Division Superintendent of the Department of Education, with P.E. as his field of expertise. He retired in 1965 and returned to Springfield College campus for his 50^th class reunion in 1972. Pedro Ablan, the multi-tasking athlete, mentor and sports official,  passed away on 16 July 1974, and was survived by 3 daughters and 2 sons.

SOURCES:

Passport, Pedro Ablan: U.S., Passport Applications, 1795-1925, Border Crossings & Passports

Far East Championships, http://www.gbrathletics.com/ic/fec.htm

Photo of Ablan, Merwin and Aquino/ Cosmopolitan Club/ In Memoriam, Courtesy of Springfield College, Archives and Special Collections.

https://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15370coll2/id/5236

24. The Country’s Swim Star of the 1930s: ESTELA LOZADA

Philippine Women’s College was founded way back in 1919 during the American regime and even before it attained its university status in 1932, it was already known for its excellent swimming program conducted in its own huge “Belen Perez Swimming Pool”—the country’s 1^st indoor competition pool.  From the start, the women’s swimming program, had the full support of the college. After all, one of the founders,  Francisca Tirona was married to the outstanding U.S.-trained swimmer Conrado Benitez, and that the school’s  chairman of the board of trustees was an avid swimming enthusiast himself, Jose Abad Santos.

It was no wonder then that PWU bred some of the most talented women’s swmmers of the country, making a name for themselves first in interscholastic tournaments,  and later, at the national championships and international meets. PWU’s champions included such nationally-ranked swimmers as the Abad Santos mermaids (Amanda, Victoria. Luz), Emma Benitez, and the Gonzaga sisters. But the most accomplished of them all was ESTELA LOZADA, Cebuana lass broke records, and who got to represent the country in meets of international level.

Estela Lozada must have inherited her competitive genes from her father, Jose Lozada, who was a Division Engineer for Mindanao and District Engineer for Lanao. In his prime, Jose was a U.P. athlete who won Golds in the 220 yard hurdles at both 1913 and 1915 Far Eastern Games. He also won Silver for the 100 yard sprint in 1913, and a Bronze for the 120 m. hurdles at the 1917 Far Eastern Games.

Lozada first barged into the national scene during the U.P-PWU Dual Swimming Meet held on 7 Dec. 1934. Before a banner crows at the Rizal Memorial natatorium, the seemingly undefeatable state scholars were shocked when they were routed by the strong PWU swimmers with the score of 35-15.

The PWU swimmers made a clean sweep of all the first places, led by Estela Lozada, who set a new Philippine record for the 100 m. backstroke event, with a time of 1 min, 34.4 secs. On top of that, Lozada won the premiere 100 m. freestyle event in 1 min. 29.8 secs., trailed by 2 PWU team mates. She was also part of the gold-winning 400 m. freestyle relay team.

For this feat, Lozada was chosen to represent the Philippines in the 1934 Far Eastern Games in Manila, on which the first official women's events—that included 4 swimming events-- were held for the first time, at parity with the men’s events. That meant that medals won by women were counted and added to the official medal tally. Lozada, however, came home unplaced, with the Chinese swimmers dominating the pool events. Still, her debut participation in an international event spurred her even more to exceed her best.

Lozada was part of the national team that went to the 1935 Formosa-Philippines Swimming Championship. There, she copped a precious Silver in her pet event—100 m. backstroke, with team mate Natalia Gonzaga in 3^rd place.  But bigger things were in store for the swimming star at the 1936 National Swimming Championship, when the powerhouse PWU Women’s Swimming Team emerged as the National Champion, with Lozada winning Gold in the 100 m. free, 100 m. backstroke, and 400 m. relay races.

At the 16^th Annual Athletic Commencement of the PWU on 19 March 1936, Lozada was one of the 25 athletes who received their letters and prizes from Mrs. Sergio Osmeña. Lozada was cited for her individual and team achievements at the 1936 National Championships.

She was back in Formosa for the 1937 5th Philippine-Formosa Dual Swimming Meet held from May 15-17, but this time, the Philippine delegation lost. The team, headed by Judge Mariano Nable, president of the Philippine Islands Swimming Association, returned home on May 30.

As a consolation, Estela Lozada, upon her homecoming was shortlisted as a candidate for the T-V-T Women’s Popularity Contest, mounted by the publisher of Tribune, La Vanguardia and Taliba. She also lost the contest, decided by balloting; Mrs. Pacita Villareal won as most popular.

Lozada made up for it 2 years later at the 6^th Philippine-Formosa Dual Swimming Meet at the Jose Rizal Natatorium, Manila, when she bagged another Silver in the 100 m. backstroke, clocking in at 1:32.9, edged by Formosa’s T. Yahisa who won Gold with 1:32.3 mins.  Filipina Perla Tagle settled for the Bronze at 1:33.3 mins. This was the last known competition of Estela Lozada. She pretty much disappeared from the limelight and not much was known about the rest of her life.

In the 1950s, the surname Lozada surfaced again when a new generation of Lozadas swam their way to national and international prominence—Remberto, Gertrudes, Corazon, and Tessie—who were, however, unrelated at all with 30s swim star.

SOURCES:

Various Tribune issues, 1933-1939, accessed through Trove.

Graphic Magazine, 1933, Recalling the Far East Championship Games