Anton, just like any other teenager, loves to play different kinds of sports; at first glance he seems very ordinary—quiet but with a ready smile to everyone he knows, naïve yet curious about the things around him, simple but with his own fashion style, and most of all, is very courteous and respectful to everybody.
But Anton is not ordinary in a lot of ways. He is one of the kids you will rarely meet who will say no to any mobile games any time. He is one of the few kids who is not crazy about cell phones. Though he is into the Internet, Anton surfs the Web for more information about the sports he plays.
Of course, one of the favorite sports of Anton is basketball, but this 13-year-old lad is also varsity player of the La Salle Greenhills’ soccer team. For him, a regular day is all about school, sports trainings and moments with his mom and dad when he gets home.
And when the weekend comes, Anton transforms from a simple kid to a fearless jet ski racer who recently bagged the first place in the third leg of the Jet Ski Association of the Philippines (JSAP) National Tours held in Caliraya Lake in Laguna on August 10 and 11.
And with this victory, he once again proved like father like son.
A chip of the old block
Anton is the only son of Bombet Ignacio, the national champion of the Petron National Jet Ski Tour 1996 who represented the country to the International Jet Ski Competition held in Lake Havasu in Arizona, USA, in 1997.
Like his father, Anton’s love for the sea ignited his passion to be a part of this very dangerous sport. Both father and son find the sea very tempting for numerous water activities.
Bombet who started his jet ski racing career back in the 90s when his father bought a jet ski, which they can enjoy in their beach house in Calapan, Mindoro.
“Me and my brother, Bim, love the sea and when our dad bought us a jet ski, riding it just became a hobby until we got passionate about speed, about racing,” Bombet recalled.
For Bombet, Jet Ski racing came as an unexpected opportunity as this sport was just beginning to gain popularity and according to him their old jet ski was not even for racing.
“Whenever we were at our family beach house, my brother and I would ride the jet ski in full speed. We would ride for more than 10kms in the open sea, and that became our training, which led us to many competitions in Subic, Cebu, Davao, Caliraya, etc.
However, it was their innate skills in racing that brought them in the Petron National Jet Ski Tour, which etched their names as two of the most respected players of this sport in the country.
After a couple of years, Bombet had to say goodbye to his favorite sport as he was set to study in the United States to secure a good education. And since then, he never raced again until a few weeks ago.
Anton on the other hand, almost had the same story on how he started with Jet Ski racing. Bombet who always wants the best for his only son suggested that Anton has to have a solo sport, which can help improve his personality and character.
“Anton loves to do various sports, he is not like the other kids who play crazy mobile games. He is already into basketball and soccer, which are both team sports. So I told him that he has to get a solo sport.”
Recognizing the wisdom of his father, Anton tried carting and it was then that his father saw his potential for racing.
“Anton was only 10 or 11 when he tried carting and I realized that he is very keen and compelling when he’s racing. And so I thought, maybe he could also do jet Ski,” the proud father narrated.
Two years ago, Bombet bought his own jet ski so he could once again enjoy the sea in their beach house in Mindoro, but at the time he bought it, he didn’t realize that it was a sign that his son will follow his footsteps in doing the dangerous sports of jet ski racing.
“It was a cheap jet ski so we could just do some water activities while we are in Mindoro. And Anton loves to ride it. And it was until I saw Anton maneuvered in high speed on the cart racetrack that I realized my son has a potential in racing. He is fearless and moves swiftly in high speed.”
Knowing and trusting the potential and dexterity of Anton, Bombet entered his son together with his cousin to their first jet ski race competition. “A couple of months ago, we went to Tacloban for a competition. Anton’s very first race, and luckily he won the third prize, and not bad for a newbie.”
Without really setting his mind to register Anton to any competition, as his son is still really young to race, Bombet bought his son his first jet ski last year in Australia so he could start to learn, embrace and love the sport then eventually do races.
Anton is only 13 years old, less than 5-feet tall, skinny and someone you wouldn’t think has the courage to drive a jet ski 120 kilometers per hour. Though he didn’t get the first prize, it wasn’t a reason for national Jet Ski rider and owner of Networx Jetsports BJ Ang to recognize the prowess of the kid on the water.
“BJ approached me after that race because he saw that Anton can be trained to be a better rider. Who am I to say to a BJ Ang, who has the know-how and vast experience in this sport. I am so thankful that he took my son in his team— Networx Jetsport. I am grateful for his dedication and help to train these kids. I completely attribute the victory to him,” Bombet stressed.
Sharing victories together
Just recently, father and son Bombet and Anton won the first prize in their respective categories—novice and expert during the third leg of the JSAP National Tours held in Caliraya Lake in Laguna on August 10 and 11.
Their victories again were unexpected because for one, Bombet since he retired from racing in 1998, had never joined nor trained for any competition. He only joined the race just to accompany his son and a wishful thinking that maybe they could both share a triumphant moment in the No.1 podium.
And for Anton, though his sharpness in the race track has been proven already, it’s not a guarantee that he will bring home the bacon because it’s just his second race, he is the youngest player and too skinny to outdo everyone on the water.
But that day was a day of blessings for the Ignacios, Bombet who raced first came through the finish line first. “I was really surprised to have won in that race because I was competing with younger guys, most of them half my age. And while on the race, I was really pressured to win because my son in his first try in this sport won,” said Bombet.
Bombet attributes his victory to Ang, their team manager, and to his teammates who supported him all through out the competition—Javi Ignacio, Bim Ignacio and Jeff Yeo.
Anton who was next to race, riding his Yamaha EX1100 tuned and modified by his coach, Ang, according to him was really worried upon learning that his dad won, “I am sure they’re also expecting me to win. So when we were all lined up waiting for the go signal, I told myself that I must win and I must stay focused,” Anton shared.
And after several minutes of heart-pounding and thrilling moves and ploys, Anton was named the winner, making him the youngest jet ski racer winner in the country.
“I am so blessed that I got the chance to share the No.1 podium with my son. Who knows that I will share this moment with Anton. I actually can totally give up jet ski racing because I already had this moment with him, but as his dad I will always support him. My wife and I will be here to help and assist our son to realize all his dreams.”
A father’s wisdom and a son’s advocacy
Bombet knows exactly what his kid needs in doing jet ski racing. According to him, as a father he could say all the words of wisdom he also learned from his parents, other people and experiences to Anton, and he could buy all the safety gears and gadgets to guarantee that his son will be safe, but there is one thing can guarantee his safe ride and can ease his worries—prayer. “Before and after our races, we always start with a prayer. I know Anton could easily learn what we are teaching him, but we also tell him the importance of prayer. Aside from prayer, we also tell him that building a good relationship with everyone in the competition is another rewarding perk of being in this sport. Camaraderie, sportsmanship are good in building a better character,” Bombet stressed.
For Anton, who at a very young age finds joy and contentment in doing meaningful hobbies and recreational activities, wants to influence other kids to focus on their studies and join any sports activities available in their schools or communities.
“I am very lucky to have loving and supportive parents. I adore my mom and dad who have been with me in everything that I do, I am really lucky to have them and I hope to be the better person that they want me to be.”
On August 31 to September 1, Bombet and Anton will compete again for the fourth leg of the JSAP National Tours, which will be held in Subic. Having each other side by side and with the care and love of Joyce, the father and son tandem hopes for another victorious day.