Ride For A Cause (RFAC) is like a virus that continuous to spread among the motorcycling community. From its humble beginning and a tag line of You Ride and Help, the initial 40 Riders from its inaugural ride 18 months ago, the once a month Ride, number of Volunteer Riders continuous to increase every time there’s a RFAC Ride.

It just concluded its 18th Ride and the 6th for Season Two last October 18, 2009. The recipient was Galilee, Home for Spiritually wounded individual in Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan.

The once a month Ride cannot be stopped by any reason. Despite the country was visited and devastated by typhoons, specially the Northern and Central Luzon, these kind hearted Volunteers continuous their mission. Volunteers are eagerly waiting if this Ride will push trough because another typhoon is entering Philippines, fortunately it was in the ocean. Reminiscing, no RFAC Ride met any heavy downpour.

Galilee was revisited because it asked for assistance, since they are relying only from the donations and no support from the Government. It was learned that the Priest who head the institution was outside the country and needs medical attention, it was left to the care of the staff.

Volunteer Riders from Bulacan was tasked to do the coordination with Galilee for this mission.

At the MCP forum, volunteers are excited to be part of this undertaking. Even though that RFAC was busy doing relief operation, this once a month mission ride cannot be taken for granted.

Assembly point was pinpointed, unfortunately, there was an International Marathon Event scheduled on the same day. The Quezon Memorial Circle, the supposed assembly point was closed to vehicular traffic same with portion of Commonwealth Avenue.

The supposed 6:00AM take off was not followed because the Volunteers had to find ways to be at the assembly point. With modern communication such as SMS, the group decided to transfer location along Commonwealth Avenue. From this, Volunteers started arriving individually or by groups. These volunteers had to inch their way from the traffic caused by the Marathon Event to be at the next stop at a Gasoline station somewhere in Fairview.

Ride Officials started to bring together the volunteers for the pre ride meeting and Prayer.

As the Ride proceeded, the safety hand and foot signals can be seen from the Riders. They have to tackle different kind of road conditions, from well paved, asphalted, potholes, road construction and even land slides along the route, until the group reached their destination.

Due to the delay, the supposed Mass for the Riders was not held because the Priest has a prior commitment and no time to wait for the Riders. Only Volunteers from Bulacan who was there earlier had their motorcycle blessed.

A program was prepared by the Staff of the Galilee. The Volunteers was given a brief introduction of what this institution was all about. Three of their Residents shared the reason why they are in Galilee. With varied reasons and ages, from 53 years old to the youngest at 14, the Volunteers learned on how these residents changed their life and outlook in life inside the institution.

A Certificate of Appreciation was awarded by Galilee to RFAC.

A light moment happened, a raffle draw was made and the price was a T-shirt from Galilee. Congratulations to the winners.

COE’s was introduced to the Volunteers. Past tasks of RFAC were echoed to the Volunteers, future plans were lay-out.

The Mission ended by asking the Volunteers what are their plans. Others left for their return home, others have their side trip. Some had a picnic along the river bank.

We would like to extend our gratitude to All Volunteers, Donors and Supporters for another successful edition of RFAC – Naka Ride Ka Na Nakatulong Ka Pa.

See you All in next RFAC Ride

Happy and Safe Ride

God Bless Us All

Photos by: francismalasig, hawzwife_rider

October 1, 2009 was the start of the month and also a start of another bonding moment with a new found friend of RFAC, they are the people of RRVA or the Roman Recto Vendors Association of Divisoria, Manila headed by Sir On On.

Sir On On or Marvin Chuan in real life, a MCP Member donated foods such as Hopia, bread and various clothings. Volunteers repacked these together with other donations from RFAC Volunteers. To name a few, they are Anne2dmax, Gucci, Sir Pong and Wife, Karlyanic, Pogi and Wife, Trigger and Irisiantayag.

The set take off time at 6:00 pm was moved to 7:00 pm to wait for RRVA that are joining the Mission Ride. To our surprised, they have a L300 van full of relief goods and a group of motorcycle riding men. Included in the packages are foods, clothing for adults and kids. Fortunately, we were able to load to this van the packages from RFAC. After loading the packages, a tricycle arrived with bottled water of 500ml each numbering to hundreds, and it was donated by former Baraggay Captain, Father-in-Law of Irisiantayag.

The convoy Spearhead by Sir Pogikasmut, took the Katipunan Avenue via, N.S. Amoranto, right to G. Araneta, left to Quezon Avenue all the way to Commonwealth Avenue right to C.P. Garcia Avenue and right to Katipunan, and to our destination.

Due to the congestion of traffic at the intersection of C5 and Ortigas Ext., some Riders missed the turn, and time was consumed waiting for them to join the pack.

Residence of Brgy San Roque, Cainta Rizal was the recipient of the relief goods. The Volunteer Riders controlled the crowd and maintain order in the line. These people leaves near the river bank which over flowed during the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy.

After the residences received their shares, and there are more left in the van, we transferred to another location for other residence received their relief goods.

You can see from their smiles their appreciation from this simple deed of Volunteers and RRVA. You can hear every where the word Thank You.

To All the Volunteers who are with us in this Mission Ride and to RRVA, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for bringing smiles to typhoon victims.

To the Donors, most importantly, without your unwavering support this undertaking would not be possible.

Maraming Salamat PO!

September 20, 2009 was the most awaited date for RFAC Volunteers.   This ride was the 17th for enthusiastic Riders and the 5th for Season 2.

General Trias was the place of destination named after Filipino revolutionists Mariano Trias together with Diego Mojica and Nicolas Portilla in staging the uprising of the “First Cry of Cavite” in the morning of  August 31, 1896.

The beneficiaries are the Children of Bukid Kabataan.  This orphanage was established in 1989.  It used to be under the auspices of Caritas Manila and because of financial difficulties it was left after the care of Good Sheperd Sisters to continue the care for the children.

The Staff Consist of Sister Lilian, Marilou, Gemma, two Housemothers, a cook, a driver, Administrator and farmers.

Their main missions are the Sagip Moral in helping the street children and for the Marian residence who are abused and prostitutes.  Psychological healing, physical development, social interaction and after care are some of their undertakings to help these children.

They have an elementary school inside the compound in multi level curriculum. They have three teachers who handle Grade 1 & 2, Grade 3 & 4 and Grade 5 & 6.

They sustain the maintenance of the Center through the donations from Good Samaritans and they don’t have any support from the government.

In the morning of September 20, 2009 at the assembly point in Macapagal Avenue, one after the other individually or in groups started to converged. As the break of dawn, the throng were almost complete and the set time of arrival was fast approaching, a short run down of the basic safety rules was echoed to the riders. A Prayer was said and asked for guidance for safe riding.

With a long train of Riders traverses the route from Macapagal to Ninoy Aquino Avenue to C5 Extension to Pulang Lupa, Las Pinas to Aguinaldo Highway that gave the Riders difficulties because of pot holes along the stretch, Governors Drive and to the Destination.  Group of Riders from Cavite and nearby places hooked-up with the main group along Aguinaldo Highway.

AT the Centre, the group were warmly welcomed by the Staff and the Children.  Donations were given one after the other.  As planned, the Riders were given a pandesal and hot coffee but because of it huge numbers, hot water was exhausted and other have to wait.

We were given a briefing or backgrounder about the Bukid Kabataan.  The Children had prepared a dance number. The Girls was first to perform a modern dance followed by the Boys doing a hip hop number.  What touches our heart most was the song rendered by the Children.  It was written by a Nun from the words of children, from their experiences, from the hardship they are undergone, from their loneliness. The message of the song was that they saw hope and the silver lining in the centre.

A light moment was happened when some of the Volunteers doesn’t want to be outshined by performance of the Children, three of the Volunteers and members of COY’s danced that brings laughter to the children and the volunteers.  A couple of New-Volunteers also joined the fun by dancing.

Sister Lilian extended their gratitude and appreciations from the donation they have received from the Riders.
Before leaving the place, a pre departure meeting was held. Since there are various clubs who joined the Ride, by groups or by individual proceeded to their destinations.

With the same passion in motorcycling and willingness to help the needy, there was no barrier to be a hindrance for this good deed.  A group of Riders from another Forum of motorcycling joined and helped. We would like to welcome you all.  In this Ride there was a huge numbers of New-V’s or New Volunteers, they are the J2Cab of Quezon City, District 1 Riders Club of Manila, Madass Club Phils and X-5 to name a few.

With this, we had established a new record and break the magic number of 200 Riders. As of this writing there are 204 Riders in the list.

Thank You All Riders, Donors and Supporters…

God Bless Us All

Happy and Safe Ride.

See you in Bulacan for R6S2

Photos by: Francismalasig, tebanwuds, braveheart-99

RFAC 4 Season 2

RFAC invades City of Angels or City of Angeles, Pampanga last August 23, 2009.

Duyan ni Maria Childrens Home in Mabalanias, Angeles City was the chosen beneficiary. The place houses abandoned children.

This place was visited by Sir Speedmaniac, one of the RFAC Council of Elders (COE’s) a name coined by some volunteers from a simple joke and even went there twice to survey the best possible route to be used by the Riders. Since there are road construction along Mc Arthur Highway in Pampanga, COE’s Ride Officials Sir Pogikazzmut (Spearhead) and Sir Blacknaz (Sweeper) chooses the Mexico, Pampanga Route, with a well paved road, though it’s a flat and straight road, the Riders was treated with natures best, a rice paddies along the road and a view of Mt. Arayat.

The once a month RFAC Ride, number of Volunteer Riders increases in numbers, this time we almost hit the 200 mark, the biggest number of Riders. From Clubs to individuals who are willing to extend their time and wealth to less privilege children. Thank You All
The assembly point was in a gasoline station in Valenzuela City, the group numbering around 65 Riders departs around 5:45am. As the train traverses the route, additional Riders joined the train, from Bulacan to Pampanga from Groups to individuals, thanks to the Marshalls. Some stops due to mechanical trouble occurred such as flat tires and worst a loosen bolts of valve tappet cover.

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Sir Natt of JET Riders Club of Pampanga and its members numbering about 20, for being the Marshalls of the train when we arrived in San Fernando, Pampanga. They lead and guide our way to our destination and to our lunch venue, a cheap 100.00 pesos per head, eat all you can. Again, Thank You JET Riders of Pampanga.

While at the Duyan ni Maria, flicks of camera flash bulbs come from different directions. One Rider even climbed the roof to have a good angle.
To All Volunteers, individuals or Groups and Donors, though we cannot name you one by one, you know who you are. RFAC will not be a success without you help. We will continue our humble mission as long as we can and thru your support.

With the effort of COE’s such as Sir Lance, Sir Papabert16, Sir Extremevelocity, Sir Kaloi our Photographer (absent in this Ride), Sir Dennon who is physically absent (OFW) but has been supporting RFAC from the start we hope and pray to continue this undertakings. To other Ride Officials, many thanks for being there.

To ALL Volunteers, be ready and prepare you iron horses for R5S2 and enjoy the long and hilly road of Gen Trias, Cavite our next destination.

Report by: COE Edfertor
Photos: francismalasig