MIGUEL Judd Mariano-Angeles looks like your typical seven-year-old kid. He swims, loves soccer, tinkers with his iPad on weekends and, believe it or not, still plays street games with his fellow Cebuanos.
But the “typical” side ends there.
Because unlike other typical kids, Miguel is a racer, a fast one at that.
“I’m just a regular kid,” said diminutive Miguel, “But I drive at a high speed of 90 to 100 kph.”
The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo De Cebu student is a two-time Cebu Club race Formula Cadet division champion, who took his talents to the Big City because his parents Michael and Eliza May Mariano-Angeles saw his passion for fast cars and need for speed an early age.
Miguel’s father, after all, used to be a drag racer, and his influence rubbed off on the young competitor.
“My dad has always been around cars. He always bring me to the tracks, he is a drag racer,” said Miguel, who soon found himself behind the wheel of a kart, like all great champions in the past did.
“I choose karting simply because it’s fun,” said Miguel.
Soon enough, he was winning races in Cebu, and then at the Batangas and Carmona racing circuits, becoming a champion in Mini-ROK Promotional Class in the Super Kart Open Championship at the Kartzone, and then achieving podium finishes in at the Formula Cadet Novice division of the Ultron ROK Karting Super Series 2015 and the Asian Karting Open Championship 2015 (Round 2).
To further hone his skills, he joined the Asian Karting Open Championship (Round 3) at the Bira International Circuit Pattaya, where he placed second runner-up as a Formula Cadet, and the Macau Karting Grand Prix last December.
But like all young racers, Miguel, who wants to be a Formula 1 driver and champion like his idol Lewis Hamilton, still has a lot to learn.
“I’m kind, loving and just, but I lack patience sometimes. I want things done instantly which I’m willing to change someday. As a racer, I’m still learning. As a competitor I’m really driven to win, but sometimes my lack of patience is a handicap for me. Good thing my coach papa Els (Elson Carpio ) and my parents always remind me how to wait for the correct timing in racing,” said Miguel, who wants to further hone his driving skills with constant practice and continuous participation in races.
“Even though other competitors are way older than me, I still want to race against them. A lot of drivers in my category are already good and seasoned drivers and it is a privilege to be able to race with them,” said Miguel, who despite the glare of the lights and the thrill of the tracks, still finds time to prioritize his schooling.
“In my school, our President Fr. Manuel Uy, Principal Annie Abucay, Athletic Director Enrico Navarro and my adviser Jiezyl Limpag recognize karting as a sport, and they also understand that that I have to be absent from school sometimes. My parents and I have to fly to Manila from Cebu at least three weekends in a month for me to be able to practice and join competitions, not including the international ones,” said Miguel.
“Also, my personal tutor flies with us during this weekends so I can still study during my down times. My parents and I have a deal that I have to maintain my 90 percentile general average in school in which I do. Thanks to my supportive school and parents,” added Miguel, who is backed by Empire Racing Management, backers Triplewell Construction Corp., Ceramic Pro Phils., Auto Access, Hisoler’s Resort, Red Bull Racing, Dewytree, S-Oil, PTT International Trading.
Miguel’s father said that racing contributed a lot to his son’s character.
“His touchiness (being pikon) has been lessened a lot. Before, he easily loses his temper even in a simple game. Now, we can see a lot of improvements already, he is learning how to be patient and be a team player. He learns how to accept defeat and knows how to bounce back,” said Michael, who is also amazed at his son’s humility.
“My rivals are all my friends. If they are better than me, then I will learn from them,” said Miguel. “I would like to thank God for all the blessings and talent He has given me. My Lolo Ramon, Lolo Rene and Lola Beth (Happy Birthday Lola), my family and friends.”
With support from all fronts, Miguel could be a future racing champ destined for stardom.