Best buddies on and off the track: The winning team of a student-athlete and his aspin

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MANILA, Philippines – While his neighbors in Cainta, Rizal, are either still asleep or eating breakfast, 17-year-old student-athlete Ralph Vincent Velasco and his aspin Mia are already out for their morning run.

Together, they make an unstoppable duo, ready to conquer any challenge that comes their way.

Velasco and Mia have built an impressive track record of victories in pet races. Their bond goes beyond just training; it’s a partnership grounded in discipline, patience, and unwavering determination.

One of their most recent wins was on March 23, when they topped GCash’s first Eco Run.

Mia’s journey

Velasco discovered Mia’s potential for dog racing when she would follow him on his morning runs. “Mia follows me and I decided na isama po siya…. Sumusunod siya palagi.” (Mia follows me and I decided to let bring her with me…. She follows me all the time.)

Velasco’s racing coach, Eugene Lim of Team Valenzuela Young Runners (VYR), introduced him to owner-dog racing competitions. For over a year now, Velasco has been training Mia, and the duo has been racing together for more than half a year.

From that morning on, Velasco and Mia’s bond evolved into a partnership that flourished on and off the track.

Mia also undergoes consistent training to keep her fit and race-ready. They train every morning before Velasco goes to school. Mia exercises by going up and down the stairs in their house so that she can build her muscles and develop her agility.

When asked about the challenges of training Mia, Velasco laughed and shared that Mia is very rowdy and active, making him more tired than Mia. Their early morning training has become a daily routine, helping Mia stay in peak condition for competitions.

When the running stopped

Last year, Mia’s training had to be put on hold due to Velasco’s study commitments at the University of the East. The shift in routine wasn’t easy especially for Mia. He noticed a change in her energy and overall performance. “Parang nawawalan po siya ng endurance and speed (It seemed like she was losing her endurance and speed),” Velasco recalled, referring to how the break affected Mia’s usual stamina and agility.

Without their regular training sessions and early morning runs, Mia lost not just physical conditioning but also the excitement and joy she found in staying active. It’s clear that the time they spent apart was a difficult period for both Velasco and Mia, as their daily routine had become more than just exercise – it was a source of bonding, connection, and finding mutual happiness.

Ralph, the varsity athlete

Velasco is an accomplished student-athlete, running for the University of the East’s Track and Field Team. He has been joining numerous competitions across the country since he was a kid. Most recently, he competed in UAAP’s Track and Field Competition held in Tarlac, where he and his team secured a bronze medal in the 4×1 meter relay race.

Velasco had also showcased his speed and determination in competitions like Batang Pinoy in Vigan, PATAFA Weekly Relays and National Open at the PhilSports Arena.

Velasco has pre-competition rituals that help him succeed in his competitions with and without Mia. Before every competition, he prays, meditates, and centers his thoughts on the race ahead. He makes sure to get enough rest and mentally prepares himself by keeping a calm and positive mindset.

“Nasa isip ko po ‘yung…‘pag nanalo po ako, malaking opportunity po namin ni Mia or sa akin po (What’s in my mind is that if I win, it’s a big opportunity for Mia and me),” he shared, noting how every victory opens doors for himself, his family, and Mia.

The successful UAAP Varsity athlete shared that when he races solo, he feels more pressure to deliver and tends to get anxious. But when he races with his furry companion, the pressure melts away.

“Kapag kasama po si Mia, parang may tumutulong po sa ’yo na tapusin po ‘yung laro,” he said. (When Mia is with me, it feels like someone is helping me win the race.)

Eyes on the prize

After their Gcash Eco Run victory, Velasco has his eyes set on the next competition. They are always training so that they can prepare for fun runs, the next one in a few weeks. His goal is to win more competitions and strengthen their bond.

“‘Yung journey po namin na sumali po sa mga fun runs at pumunta po sa iba’t ibang lugar para po sumali sa mga fun runs.” (Our journey of joining fun runs and going to different places to participate in these fun runs.)

The two are gearing up for competitions in Antipolo and Manila. While they originally joined competitions for fun, Velasco saw that there are also fellow athletes competing with their pets, shifting his focus to also become more competitive.

More than just a pet

For Velasco, Mia is more than just a dog. “She’s not just a dog for me, she is part of my family and I consider her my best friend.”

For Velasco, what makes Mia truly special is her remarkable ability to outrun a variety of dog breeds. “Mas nalalamangan niya po ‘yung ibang breed sa speed and endurance (She outperforms other breeds in speed and endurance), he proudly said.

Beyond their victories, Mia has made an impact on Velasco’s life. Their racing and viral videos have not only brought them recognition online, but have also helped him support his family.

“Nagiging sikat po siya sa social media, mas natutulungan ko ‘yung mga magulang ko dahil po sa mga prize na nakukuha niya.” (Mia gets famous on social media. I get to help my parents more because of the prizes she wins.)

Velasco is also very grateful to those who have supported them throughout their journey. He credits Team Valenzuela Young Runners, his coach Eugene Lim, and his teammates, Marione and Ralph Danza, for giving them the opportunities, motivation, and support to succeed. – Andrea Martija/Rappler.com

Andrea Martija is an AB Communication student at Ateneo de Manila University, specializing in Journalism, Advertising and Public Relations tracks in her program. She hopes to apply her knowledge as a volunteer for Rappler.

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