iKalinga cyclists gears up for Batang Pinoy 2025, asks for assistance to defend title as over-all Champ

Tabuk City, Kalinga - A team of young and determined cyclists from Kalinga is preparing to represent the city and the province as a whole in the upcoming Batang Pinoy 2025 National Championships, with hopes not just of winning medals but also rallying the community for support.

Scheduled on October 25–31, 2025 in General Santos City, the national event has drawn the Tabuk Kalinga Cycling Team, mainly composed of student-athletes from Tabuk, to train rigorously on local roads and trails to boost their skills and endurance to participate in the competition.

The Batang Pinoy (Philippine Youth Games), organized by the Philippine Sports Commission, is a platform that helps identify and nurture young athletes across the country.

The Tabuk Kalinga Cycling Team

In an interview with GURU Press Cordillera, Tabuk Kalinga Cycling Team president and co-founder Lloyd Lacwasan shared that the group was established in 2018 as means to promote a healthy and sociable lifestyle. The group has since grown to 148 members, shifting its focus toward youth competitive cycling.

Like any other starting teams, Lacwasan recounted that early setbacks in regional contests were experienced. Eventually in 2024, the they clinched the Overall Mountain Bike Championship, solidifying their status as a rising force in national cycling.

“At first, we didn’t excel in regional competitions. As time went by, the team gradually produced regional champions. We also tried to participate in national competitions several times pero hindi makasungkit ng podium. Until such time in 2023, one of our riders snatched the bronze medal in Batang Pinoy road bike competition. Then 2024 came, the team made its spot. It became the 2024 batang pinoy overall champion in cyling mountain bike category,” recalled Lacwasan.

Recently, a Bike-for-a-cause was held on October 5, 2025 at the Bangyan Race Track in Barangay Bantay, Tabuk City. Said event was done to raise funds for the upcoming national competition in GenSan.

Originally set for October 4, the one-day event was postponed to October 5 due to Typhoon Paolo. However, with another event simultaneously held in Cauayan, only visiting cyclists from Baggao, Cagayan—aside from those from Tabuk were able to join, raising just P3,500 in total.

Call for sponsors

As the competition draws near, the cycling team, along with their coaches, are calling on local leaders, businesses, and kind-hearted individuals to help fund their journey and training needs.

As the president and coach of the team, Lacwasan is extending his humble appeal to the public for any financial support.

“….para madepensahan yung title po na overall champion at panalo man po o talo eh importante may natutunan at may maipakita po na magandang laro kaya gusto ko pong i-message sa public eh sa grass-roots po lahat nagsisimula. Kaya humingi po kami ng kahit konting sponsorship sana sa mga makakabasa po,” he said.

For many of these young iKalinga cyclists, this will be their first chance to compete on a national stage, driving their determination to do even better.

To any willing individual who wants to help, you may send any amount to Lloyd Lacwasan's GCash number - 09679513980.