Paquito Rivas, a native of Laoang, Northern Samar, is a legendary Filipino cyclist and the third Visayan rider (after Rodrigo Abaquita, Jose Moring, Jr.) to claim victory in a national cycling tour since the historic 1955 Manila-Vigan Race and Tour of Luzon.
Rivas made an explosive debut in the 1973 Tour of Luzon, showcasing his prowess as a rookie with a dominant performance in the Burgos-Baguio Individual Time Trial (ITT). His remarkable reign in the event continued for three succeeding editions, 1974, 1976 and 1977, earning him the moniker “Eagle of the Mountain”—a tribute to his exceptional climbing ability and endurance on challenging terrains.
That same year, Sgt. Rivas was among the elite professional cyclists enlisted into the Philippine Constabulary (PC) by then PC-INP Chief Fidel Valdez Ramos, further cementing his rising prominence in the sport.
Despite early setbacks in his career—once earning the label of a “heartbreak kid”—Rivas acted with resolve and ultimately clinched the Marlboro Tour championship in 1979. Notably, he became only the second cyclist in history (after Gonzalo Recodos) to win a national cycling tour without securing a single stage victory, a testament to his consistency and strategic racing.
After his stellar and illustrious career as a competitor, Rivas transitioned into a leadership role in cycling. He later served as the Race Director General and Race Manager of the now-defunct Marlboro Tour and Le Tour de Filipinas, contributing his expertise to the sport beyond his years as a rider.
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