Triathlete Kim Remolino rises from ashes of burnt house


Remolino juggles time helping family rebuild home, training for future races
kim remolino
Triathlete Kim Remolino, silver medalist in the 2019 SEA Games, juggles his time helping his family rebuild home after a fire accident and training for future races. (Photo from Kim Remolino's Facebook account)

Kim Remolino’s faith and competitive spirit never wavered despite losing his possessions – including his prized racing bikes – to a fire accident last month.

The 19-year-old triathlete, who won silver at last year’s Southeast Asian Games, said he chose to move forward by helping his family rebuild their house while continuing his training for future races.

“Actually po, it didn’t really affect me that much kasi I know na lahat nung nawalang mga bagay po is mapapalitan naman po,” Remolino told the Manila Bulletin.

“I’m actually happy nga po kasi walang casualties during the fire.” Remolino’s house in Talisay, Cebu burned to the ground, forcing his family to take shelter at his grandparents’ house.

kim remolino
Triathlete Kim Remolino, silver medalist in the 2019 SEA Games (Photo by Marvin Manala of AsiaTri.com via Kim Remolino's Facebook accoun)

It didn’t stop him though from resuming his training. He sought permission from the City Hall so that he could run outdoors due to quarantine restrictions brought by the coronavirus pandemic.

He hasn’t trained on the bike yet, but is looking forward once he receives new bikes from his sponsors.

Despite the global health crisis putting sporting events on hold, Remolino is looking forward to qualifying to the national team that would compete in next year’s SEA Games to be held in Vietnam.

“Yun po ang pinagtutuunan ko ng pansin as of now. Aside from that, wala naman po akong naging masyadong problema,” he said.