BANGKOK—Daniel Patrick Caluag, the BMX rider who delivered a rare gold for the Philippines at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, returns to the regional stage after a six-year absence as he launches his campaign in the men’s BMX time trial at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on Friday at the BMX Stadium in Kamol Sports Park.
This comeback, however, carries a deeper weight. Caluag is racing in honor of his mother, Isabelita Manabat Caluag, who passed away earlier this year. He shared that she had been his anchor and driving force throughout his career, especially during that unforgettable run to the Asiad gold 11 years ago.
“It has been a long time since I competed in the Southeast Asian Games; a lot of things changed,” said the 38-year-old Caluag, who last captured silver in the 2019 SEA Games. “But right now I’m taking it one race at a time. I’m dedicating this to my mom, who unfortunately battled cancer.”
Caluag will line up at 6 p.m. alongside fellow Filipino Patrick Coo, the bronze medalist from the Hangzhou Asian Games. After Friday’s time trial, both riders shift their focus to the BMX race event scheduled for Saturday.
Beyond honoring his mother’s memory, Caluag is also chasing redemption in this year’s edition of the Games after settling for silver in 2019 behind Thailand’s Komet Sukprasert—a multiple Asian champion and two-time SEA Games gold medalist—who again looms as one of the riders to beat.
“He’s one of the best out there. He’s a silver medalist in Hangzhou,” Caluag said of Sukprasert. “And there are also strong riders from Indonesia and Singapore. It’s a competitive field.”
Philippine BMX coach Frederick “Eboy” Farr, father of newly crowned SEA Games bronze medalist Jerich Farr, is steering clear of bold predictions. But he says the talent and hunger of Caluag and Coo give the Philippines every reason to believe.
“I don’t give predictions, but I believe they can deliver,” Farr said. “These two have raced on big stages, and I’ve seen how determined they are. The competition is tough, but I’m confident they’ll give everything they have.”
