MANILA, Philippines—Former lawmaker and governor Ace Barbers flashed fine driving skills in a go-kart he acquired as a kid and prevailed over a motley crew of bloggers in the first Bloggers’ Blaze Karting Race held recently at the City Kart Racing track in Makati.
Barbers topped his category in 52.68 seconds.
“It was fun to drive a go-kart again,” said Barbers, the three-term congressman and former governor of Surigao del Norte.
Although it was obvious that the 43-year-old Barbers was a cut above the field, having excelled in karting as a youngster, his skills were enhanced by the sleekness of the 600-meter track on the seventh level of Park Square 1 in the business district.
“I didn’t expect I still had my go-kart skills with me,” said Barbers, who has a political science degree at La Salle and a Masters degree in public administration at UP Diliman. “I felt like I was a kid again. I had a great time with the bloggers.”
Barbers said he also focused on sports when he was still a congressman and governor.
“Sports must not be ignored,” he said. “It must be a priority.”