Good Samaritan uncovers young runner’s promise

Milo Marathon Cebu Leg boys 3-kilometer division champion Kent Lloyd Gabiño (2nd from right) poses with (from left) Reuel Sarvida, his father Roy and discoverer Dr. Marivic Tan. (CDN PHOTO/ GLENDALE ROSAL)

Because of another person’s faith, a young boy is now living his dream.

Kent Lloyd Gabiño, an 11-year-old runner from Balamban town, western Cebu made waves in last Sunday’s 40th National Milo Marathon-Cebu Leg by ruling the boys’ 3-kilometer category in his very first race.

He pulled off the thrilling win despite getting lost along the way and beating eventual second placer Carl Wayne Dichos via photo finish.

“My dream just came true,” gushed Gabiño while proudly clutching his trophy during the awards ceremony. “I only see this race on television. I wasn’t even expecting to join this. I was surprised that I won.”

But Gabiño should not have been in the race in the first place. And the young runner’s talents would not have been exposed had it not been for the faith and support of triathlete and Ironman 70.3 finisher Dr. Marivic Tan.

Tan said she first saw Gabiño during one of her runs at the Transcentral Highway in Balamban. She said she was intrigued by this petite boy who ran at pace with Ironman 70.3 Filipino elite contender Jory Ycong while the latter was training at the steep slopes of the Transcentral Highway a few weeks before the Milo race.

Intrigue turned to fascination when Tan saw the gazelle-like grace and stamina of Gabiño as the boy ran side-by-side with one of Cebu’s top triathletes.

Instantly, Tan took a leap of faith and decided to take Gabiño under her wings, convinced the small runner is a certified natural.

“My discovery of him in Balamban was not an accident. It was meant to happen,” Tan said. “I hope he will continue to improve and become stronger as he grows. I will not stop supporting him.”

Gabiño, the smallest among the contenders in the 3k race, bolted from the starting line like a flash and easily established a sizeable lead until he got lost not once but twice.

Still, the determined youngster managed to get back into the race and escaped with a close win against Dichos in one of the most inspiring feats of last Sunday’s race.

He won P1,500 and a trophy but more importantly, he was able to showcase his immense potential which he hopes could help him land scholarships from top universities and schools in the city.

“Kent Lloyd simply amazed me on how he won the race,” a proud Tan said. Now she wants to make sure that his young friend will be offered scholarships by schools in Cebu.

“I believe education is the stepping stone to become successful in life,” she said. “I hope that his win in the Milo race will open up opportunities for him to be disovered. Who knows? He may be the next Olympian like Mary Joy Tabal because I believe that the Milo Marathon is where champions are made.”

And though Gabiño is yet to become a star, his father, Roy, is already thankful for Tan’s support.

“Now I can say that my son has the talent and I am very encouraged to continue to mold him into becoming a champion. I am very thankful to God and to Dr. Tan for bringing us here,” he said.

With Gabiño’s natural talent and promise, and the full support of people who want him to succeed, it sure won’t be long before Cebuanos revel again in the birth of another running superstar in the mold of the iconic Mary Joy Tabal.