The golden boy

Rambo Chicano believes that winning in the international arena is part of his destiny.

He was part of the national junior cycling team when he became a father at such a young age. To support his family, he had to work as a janitor and a helper in a local bicycle shop that, interestingly, was owned by Melvin Fausto — the coach of the national triathlon team.

Fausto was the first person to believe in him.

He turned his bike mechanic into a triathlete, teaching him to swim from scratch and developing his strength and endurance to stand a chance even against the world’s strongest ironmen.

And in the very first day of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, Chicano’s coronation happened: The lowly janitor blossomed into a golden boy.

Still, Chicano stressed that it wasn’t just because of luck.

“Well, maybe I was lucky for the opportunities,” said Chicano as the nation celebrates the SEA Games overall crown for the first time since 2005.

“But much of these are because of the hard work I put in day in and day out. Also, it was because, I think, of destiny. I believe, I am destined for this.”

Yes, Chicano wasn’t an overnight sensation.

In his first taste of SEA Games action in 2017, he served as a mere backup to reigning champion Nikko Huelgas.

With Huelgas struggling in the bike leg, the former junior cyclist and bike mechanic patiently waited for him instead of pulling away to hog the limelight.

Chicano’s decision paid a handsome reward as the country emerged with a 1-2 finish in the men’s event.

In this recent biennial meet, his time had come.

He crossed the finish line beaming with confidence and unleashed a loud roar that was heard even in the bike shop where he used to work.

“Sometimes, I wanted to give up and just simply pursue my janitorial chore. But I refused to quit because I have a dream,” said Chicano, who was welcomed by his 10-year-old daughter, Lira, at the finish line.

Chicano said he wouldn’t be the champion that he is right now if not for his menial jobs.

“My old jobs taught me to manage my time and be disciplined no matter what the situation is. I carry the values I learned from being a janitor to being an athlete and I think that was the hardest lessons life gave me.”

He added that he isn’t ashamed of his past.

“I am thankful that I had to go through all of life’s trials because it made me who I am today.”

Chicano admitted that becoming a champion is quite overwhelming, especially since he won the title right in front of his countrymen in Subic, the city where he grew up.

But he is trying his best to remain humble and hungry for more success.

“I think I am still the same person I used to be before I became a SEA Games gold medalist,” he said. “The beauty of my life is that it taught me to become modest and simple.”

“I always strive to live a quiet and simple life and living a grand lifestyle is not really my thing.”

Chicano emphasized that he doesn’t like to embrace stardom. Instead, he would divert his focus on training, not just for the next SEA Games in Vietnam in 2021, but also to improve his ranking to catch the bus headed for the Olympics.

“As much as possible, I don’t want to be in the limelight. It’s not my thing. I’m not used to it.”

From a lowly janitor to a bike mechanic and now a SEA Games champion, Chicano had definitely made it big.

Southeast Asia’s golden boy vows to do everything to keep his luster.

And he’s willing to be patient and work extra hard — just like in the old days.