20/07/2026
If you followed my karting journey this season, you know how many times I came close enough to believe the championship was finally mine, only to watch it slip away by the smallest margin.
Round after round, I carried that disappointment back to the track.
I kept waking up before sunrise. I gave up quiet mornings, cartoons, playtime, and rest for long days of training with Dad and my coaches. What began as a playground slowly became the place that taught me discipline, patience, humility, and faith.
Last Saturday’s round 4 brought one more heartbreak. I finished P1 in the pre-finals, then P2 in the final. Once again, the championship was close enough to touch, but still not mine.
Then Sunday came.
When I created the gap and crossed the finish line, I did not do my usual dab. I raised both hands and pointed to God, because before the trophy, before the title, and before the celebration, all glory belongs to Him.
After five rounds, countless early mornings, and an entire season spent chasing a victory that always seemed one step away, I finally brought home the championship I had waited, worked, and prayed for all year.
This final weekend was also the most bittersweet, because it marked the end of a special chapter with my race buddies.
Enzo Bautista, you were one of the toughest racers beside me. Thank you for every battle, every challenge, and every lap that pushed me to become better. 💪🏻
Daveed, we made it. This one especially goes out to you, buddy. Recover well. I will be waiting for the day we can line up beside each other again. 🥹
Thank you to my Team Principals, Tito GM Bugayong and Tita Hydie Gonzales Bugayong for never losing faith in me, for making me understand how my time will eventually come. Thank you, Tito Mike and Tita Aileen for supporting my every practise. To my Chief Mechanic Kuya Delacruz Christian, and super mech Kuya Kent, thank you for making sure my machine was working at its best.
To my coach Charls, thank you for never giving up on me and for being fully present like a family. To coaches Kuya Yuan, Kuya Yashie, Kuya Michael, and Christian Gaddi —I appreciate all the dedicated mentoring.
To my indoor karting coaches, the very first ones to see the potential in me, thank you. Coach Noli, Coach Pao, and Kuya Kevin —thank you for the early pushes, the support that never went away, and the encouragement to keep going.
Thank you, Kuya Regan —you showed up like a father would. Thank you for always keeping an eye out on my progress. Ate Lorena, Ate Em, Ate Camille, Ate Kharleene, and Kuya Andy, I am grateful for how you ensure my gears are ready, my snack pack is full, and my toys tucked somewhere in my bag so I can play in between practises and races.
To the DMS and DMRT communities, your presence and prayers made the weekend a little less nerve-wracking. Thank you for always showing up! 🙌🏻
To my playmate and little brother, Z Zion Racing, thank you for cheering me on, crying with me, and helping me get back to being me when the dust has finally settled. You were there all throughout this season.
To our families in Davao, Cainta, and in the US, your prayers have reached the heavens. 🙏🏻
To my bestfriend and biggest trackside supporter, Achie Bella, thank you for sacrificing so much just so Mum and Dad can focus on my journey. It’s now my time to return the favor. 🩷
To Mummie Tutti, you embraced this journey with me through and through. I’ve seen your sacrifices, from waking up the earliest, ensuring I have all that I need and more, converting the paddock to your office space so you can work while looking after me and keeping track of my progress and character. Your strength held me together.
And Dad, Pauland, my ultimate head coach and champion-maker, thank you for teaching me to keep believing in God, in myself, and in the people who stand beside me. This championship carries your sacrifices, patience, faith, and love in every lap. 🩵
This season taught me that the sweetest victories are not always the ones that come quickly. Sometimes, they are the ones God asks us to wait for, work for, and keep believing in even after our hearts have been broken.
And when the moment finally comes, you understand why it was worth the wait.
We finally brought it home. 🏁🏎️🏆
𝑻4 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝑷𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒔
DRIFT MOTOR Racing Team
Axel Motorsports Gruppe
Ton Cars
Primetime
Chandler’s List
DRIFT MOTOR Speedway
Enthusiast Media
Ban Kee Bricks
