Cycling icon Padilla, 67

BACK-TO-BACK Tour of Luzon cycling champion Cornelio Agaid Padilla Jr. has died of heart failure at St. Luke’s Global Medical Center on Sunday (December 8).

He was 67.

Padilla carved a name at the pinnacle of national sports in the 1960s when he won the gruelling Tour of Luzon cycling championship twice, in 1966 and 1967.

In 1966, Padilla topped the 15-lap, 1,999.82-kilometer TOL in 60 hours, 45 minutes and 31 seconds. The following year, Padilla again emerged on top after eight laps of cycling clocking 70.34:57 for the 1,634-kilometer race.

Known as Paddy to friends and family, Padilla retired early from the sport in order to devote his time to his college studies using his winnings to finance his law studies at the Far Eastern University.

As a lawyer, Padilla became a member of the legal department of Cacho Printing Press before his stint at the National Book Store as personnel manager and house lawyer. He worked his way to become one of NBS’ top executives handling the firm’s vast human resources department.

Padilla also spent much time to humanitarian service by making himself active in Rotary International activities. He was charter member of the Rotary Club of Quirino-Quezon City under RI District 3780 and as its president from 1994-95.

“He excelled in sports in the same manner he won the hearts of many Rotarians for his unstinting efforts to serve above self,” said former Assistant Governor Fol Rana, former RCQQC president.

Interment will be announced later. /Correspondent Marlon Bernardino