Motorcycle Philippines

Last Aug 29 to 30, nineteen bikers from all over the land with all kinds of motorcycles got together to have the First Ever Bikers Ride Retreat at the lake Garden Hotel in cold Tagaytay City. From the very beginning, it was clearly blessed by God – an exact number of attendees, sponsors pouring in, materials arriving just in time, great weather, no accidents during travel, (except one or two prior to the group’s take off) for etc. It was as if God had seen things thru and planted everything at the exact time it was needed and for the exact reason.

At 5am on the morning of the 29th at Shell the Fort, bikers with underbones, cruisers, sportbikes, scooters and the like started to arrive. Right off the bat, the friendship these strangers shared was already showing evidence of a great turnout. There was a sense of sincere camaraderie in the air equaled only by the fine crisp cool morning breeze. Although a few delays occurred, nothing could stop this group from having fun and riding in unison in search of the Spiritual experience offered by the retreat.

At around 7am, we were on our way. The travel to Tagaytay was pleasant and fun. As usual, the pack did not hold together in one line but instead met up & re-grouped at every turn. This is a trademark of the FaithRiders. It seems that no matter how hard they try to hold the line, it just wouldn’t. BUT it always turns out for the good. Everyone arrived safely and had fun as every ride should be.

At the retreat, God worked slowly but surely in ever single participant. This was seen thru the initial cold start of sharing amongst strangers which got warmer and warmer until the night of the first day where everyone was feeling God’s presence and was being awakened to the reality of His love and sacrifice. By the time the night session was closing, everyone has a more refreshed spirit, a renewed passion for God.

It was discussed how life is a spiritual battle more than the physical. It was also discussed how important God’s love is in our lives if only we would pay attention to it. Many of us refuse or forget God’s love and sacrifice for us but during the retreat, these points were reiterated and made a welcome invitation to love God back in ways we either have neglected, forgotten or misunderstood. The discussions and presentations were both enlightening and realistic.

As bikers, the need to ride was of course still to be pleased so most of the participants joined in for a quick night ride for bulalo (as if they haven’t eaten dinner yet). It was a cold night to ride but that was all part of the experience. Safely back, everyone retired for the night.

The next day was more fun and fellowship than anything. There were a few more topics discussed, a fun presentation and a few games. The previous day’s homework of reflecting on one’s life and deciding to make a commitment to God was also discussed and its importance explained by the invited Pastor/Biker Ronnel (aka Cruizer_Byker). Awarding of the winning teams and giving away the gift tokens was the ending activity and the retreat was closed by a solemn prayer.

All in all, the retreat was a refresher for most, an eye opener for some but definitely a memorable experience for all. Everyone, young & old, easy rider or speed freak, small or big bike owner came home with a renewed attachment with God and a fresher perspective on their mortal selves.

For all the participants of the First Ever Bikers Ride Retreat – AWOOoooH!

God bless you all and lets all ride for the greater glory of God!

Special Thanks
In alphabetical order

Boni – for his financial support
Danny – for the financial support, admin support, his enlightening talk & bulalo dinner treat
Dencio – for his financial support
Emz – for the assistance in preparing for the retreat & the gift items
Jandi – for his help in preparing for the retreat and his interesting talk & games
Jeff – for dropping by despite his family situation & helping out
Jim – for his financial support
Jimmy – for his moral and promotional support on his Hardcore Brothers Radio show on NU 107 (every sun night @ 8pm)
Lake Garden Hotel – for their hospitality & discoutns
Nica – for helping out unconditionally
Overdose – for the gift items given to the attendees as token remembrances
Pat – for his financial support
Restie – for his financial support
Terminal Hopper – for his financial support

Most Especial Thanks to Pastor Ronnel for being the spiritual leader on the retreat.

Next scheduled Bikers Ride Retreat is 4th quarter 2010. All interested groups who would like to have their own private Bikers Ride Retreat (Minimum 10 attendees), feel free to contact FaithRiders Motorcycle Ministry thru Kaskasero at 0918-9067409 and frmotoministry@gmail.com.

Jesus ROCKS!

July 26, 2009 was the most awaited date for Volunteer Riders who wants to join the Ride For A Cause (RFAC).

Now on its second year, another successful ride of RFAC was accomplished.  This ride was delayed for a week because no beneficiary has been selected.  Due to time constraint and the Volunteers don’t want to miss the once a month RFAC ride, the COE’s decided to revisit the first beneficiary a year ago.  It was the children of Brgy. Maate, Famy Laguna.  This place is situated in the highland of Laguna Province.

With the volunteerism in mind, Once COE’s braved the dark of the night and bad weather to coordinate with Barangay Officials of this planned ride. Since his most dependable and reliable is now with the new owner, this COE’s borrowed a motorcycle to accomplish his assignment.

Now there is a selected beneficiary and date it was posted in the Rides and Touring Section of www.motorcyclephilippines.com/forums/. From the opening of the said thread, Volunteer Riders one after the other posted their names as the list grows longer and longer, from the Regular Riders of RFAC to Newbies (first time to RFAC).

As the Ride day come, early morning rain starts to fall, SMS was transmitted from COE’s to COE’s for weather check at their locations.  From Season 1 and first two (2) Rides of Season two, rains didn’t stop these volunteers to continue their mission.

At the assembly point, Volunteers started to arrive one after the other. The organizers started to distribute red ribbon to Riders and White ribbon for Ride Officials. These ribbons where use for easy identification.  A brief rundown was made for the basic Riding Rules and a prayer before take off.

A gasoline station in Famy, Laguna was the last stop before proceeding to the children. In here donations was collected, from goods to cash.  They were able to raise funds enough to buy rice and instant noodles aside from the same brought by the Riders. Some donated canned goods and used clothing.

A few kilometers ride from gasoline station to Baranggay Hall with narrow and twisted cemented road was tackled by the Riders and a couple of minor mishap happened due to slippery and rough portion of the road.

From a far we can see the children are lined up and waiting for the Riders.  As the merchandise arrived Volunteer Lady Riders packed the goods for easy distribution.  While waiting the children was treated with candies.

The Baranggay Captain together with his Two (2) Lady Kagawad welcomed the Riders and he was very happy that his constituents were chosen as the beneficiaries.  As a token of their appreciation, the Riders were treated with fresh coconut to quench their thirst.

As the children leave one after the other with a bag of goodies, seeing their smiles makes the volunteers to look for the next RFAC Ride.

We would like to thank all the Volunteers and Donors for the next RFAC Ride.

Your kind heartedness is not for the RFAC but for our less privilege countrymen.

As our motto “Naka Ride Ka Na Nakatulong Ka Pa”

See you All

Happy and Safe Ride

“Alay sa Pamilihang Bayan” is the theme for ArtPetron 2009, the nationwide art contest promoting Philippine art, culture, tradition and values to the Filipino youth.

By focusing on Philippine markets (pamilihang bayan), ArtPetron 9 sends out an open invitation to bask in the sense of community and abundance in the different traditional markets all over the country. Much of Philippine culture is deeply embedded in these public places, reflecting values of trust, industriousness, and pride in one’s produce.

Entries to ArtPetron 9 must feature pride in the Filipino vendors and in our country’s produce. Markets depict richness of life; each speaks of the unique identity of its locality. It proudly highlights its hometown’s distinct products — tuna market in Saranggani, danggit market in Cebu, strawberry fields in Baguio, vegetable market in Benguet. Philippine markets define who we are.

ArtPetron’s 9th National Student Art Competition is open to all students 15 to 28 years old who are enrolled in a college or university program or in a museum-based painting/photography class.

Student artists may compete in three categories, with the following criteria: Watercolor or Water-based Media — surface must be watercolor paper or illustration board; unframed size not more than 4 ft x 4 ft. Oil or Acrylic — surface must be canvas, canvas paper or wood; unframed size not more that 4 ft x 4 ft. Colored Photography — unframed size is between 8 x 10 inches to 10 x 15 inches; original photograph taken after 28 February 2009; not previously exhibited or awarded a prize in another contest; not corrected or manipulated in any post-production activity. Entrants must declare type of camera used; digital photography allowed; filters allowed.

Six grand prize winners (three from each painting category) will receive P50,000 and an ArtPetron trophy made by National Artist Napoleon Abueva, who is also the chairman of the ArtPetron board of judges. Six runners-up (three from each painting category) will receive P20,000 and an ArtPetron trophy. In the photography category, six grand prize winners will be awarded P30,000 and an ArtPetron trophy, while six runners-up will receive P15,000 and an ArtPetron trophy.

Application forms are available from the President’s or Fine Arts Dean’s office in all schools and universities, participating Petron service stations and bulk plants nationwide, or from the ArtPetron Secretariat office at Studio 5 Designs, telephone 8953971. A downloadable application form is also available from the website: www.artpetron.com.

Deadline for submission of entries is 24 July 2009 at Petron bulk plants nationwide or 31 July 2009 at the ArtPetron Secretariat.

With the “Swine Flu” craze comes Mo2rista 7!!!!! The Mo2rista Crew takes a peak into the world of road hogs and cruisers!!! Two wheels and an attitude. A rebel without a clue!! Get your copies now at Booksale, Filbar’s, Papyvore, Shell Select outlets nationwide and now E. R. money changer outlets.