BALANGA CITY – Blackbeard’s Seafood Island (BSI) announced over the weekend the launching in Bataan of two sports programs with the hope of making triathlon a sports not only known to the elite but even to the poor.
Raymund Magdaluyo, BSI president, broke the news of the “Bataan International Triathlon” and the “Batang Tri Grassroots” programs during the formal opening here of their 28th branch. The triathlon – swim, bike, run – will be held on November this year at the wellknown Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan.
Magdaluyo explained that under the “Batang Tri Grassroots” program, they will raise funds to purchase 100 road bikes and provide grants in terms of equipment, clothing, race fees, accommodation, food, training and travel needs of young, poor, aspiring triathletes.
“Anyone can help the program by purchasing a Jomac Boodle for P1,450 where P300 will be given to the young aspiring triathletes to achieve their dream,” Magdaluyo said. BSI created the original boodle feast that it later named Jomac Boodle in its tie-up with international triathlon coach Jojo “Jomac” Macalintal. Macalintal is honorary coach of BSI’s triathlon team “Every Seconds Count”.
Gov. Albert Raymond Garcia thanked Seafood Island for setting-up a branch in Balanga City and of its plan to put up three more branches in Bataan. “The triathlon that will be a yearly event will further promote Bataan especially in sports tourism,” the governor said. Garcia lauded the restaurant for giving attention to poor young people.
“They will be inspired and start young as tri athletes,” he said. Magdaluyo said BSI will be celebrating its 10th year of founding on September 16, 2014. “We have 28 stores all over major cities in the country where everyone can have seafood bonding,” he said.
Their branch in Balanga City is located at the ground floor of the five-storey Plaza Building adjacent to the Plaza Mayor de Balanga.