By Mikey™

Who says chivalry is dead? In these modern days there is a new breed of knights, modern knights with armored riding jackets on iron horses. They are forumers of MotorcyclePhilippines.com who have banded together from different motorcycle groups and clubs that wanted to share their blessings to the less fortunate. These riders are local tourists who mostly take rides along the countryside to get away from the busy urban life we are all used to.

Usually, rides are scheduled on Sunday mornings when the weather permits. Riders meet at a Shell gas station at Marcos Highway around dawn, go up the mountains thru Cogeo and thru Tanay. These riders traverse the twisting and winding roads to get to Laguna or Quezon, enjoy hot meals of bulalo and inihaw or hot lomi soups at a popular bulaluhan or lomi house then go back to Manila thru the same twisting and winding roads. And be back home in the afternoon, and have enough rest to go back to work the next day.

Since the popular destination of most riders in MCP go thru a route that we call “MaRiLaQue”, which stands for Manila, Rizal, Laguna and Quezon, it was only but natural they start here. These riders wanted to give back to the community so that the people who live here would not have a bad impression that these motorcycle riders are a nuisance but rather are known as friends of the community.

It all started from a single post by an MCP forumer asking to give back to the community. The suggestion that stood out from the different suggestions shared were to buy school supplies for students residing along the mostly traveled roads by these motorcycle riders. The original plan was to have each rider share at least one pencil and one notebook, considering that the school year is about to start. One by one, an MCP forumer steps up to take charge of the logistics of the project, from the initial ocular inspection of the target area, to the coordination with the concerned public official who had jurisdiction of the target area. And thus, the “Ride For a Cause” project was born. Volunteers popped up from these riders to provide support for the project. Pledges poured in from individuals, from clubs and even from forumers outside the Philippines joined and gave donations.

The first target area was Barangay Tunhac III, a remote barangay in Famy, Laguna. Famy is also one of the popular destinations of these riders. Thru coordination with Vice Mayor Melvin Laminero, he had provided the necessary data for the beneficiaries of the project. A total of 101 kids were chosen to be the beneficiaries of the Ride For a Cause. These kids range between Grade 1 and Grade 6 pupils. The project’s volunteer organizers have collected enough funds to buy the kids about 6 notebooks each with pencils, ball pens and crayons. One rider had also donated a set of old encyclopedias.

On the morning of April 20, 2008, riders from all over the metro including riders coming from Bulacan and Bicol were in attendance. Around 50+ riders and back riders, assembled at Shell, some arriving as early as 5:00 am. After a pre-ride briefing and a short prayer for a safe journey, the riders took off at 6:30 am and proceeded to Famy in Laguna. First stop over was at Nature Lovers’ Point at Garden Cottages in Tanay. Next stop over was at Caltex; riders gas up then preceded to Barangay Tunhac. Arriving at the destination, they were greeted by Vice Mayor Laminero and his staff who had already gathered the 101 students. The parents were there to join and witness the event. The students were very happy for the gifts given by these good Samaritans who just wanted to share their blessings. A few residents even provided free buko juice, from coconuts freshly picked from the trees, to some of the riders to extend their gratitude. The project was a huge success. It was so successful that there were enough funds and additional pledges to cater for a 2nd round.

Plans for “Ride For a Cause II” were underway. After identifying the next target, an area that was along the road most traveled along MaRiLaQue, in Barangay Cayumbay, Tanay Rizal. Thru the coordinated efforts of Barangay Captain Rading Juco, 124 students were targeted as the next beneficiaries of Round 2 of the project. It was said that these children are descendants of Aetas called remontados, who have married outside their tribes and some of these families live on collecting wood to sell as “uling”. Again thru the forums of MCP, funds were gathered and the schools supplies were purchased. Riders from the different groups and riders without clubs, who frequent the forums, were invited to participate.

On May 25, 2008, again riders from all over mega Manila gathered and assembled at the same take off point, Shell Marcos Highway at 5:00 am. Due to the success of Round 1, it was evident that a lot of riders joined round 2 where 80+ riders and back riders had participated; most are veterans of Round 1. They took off at 6:30 am, traveled the same road. Riders stop over at the Nature Lovers’ Point. Once gathered, riders proceeded to the location. Riding thru the twisting and winding road is always a treat for these riders and this is one of the reasons they frequent this route, as well as enjoying the scenery of green rolling hills, the fresh mountain air and the slow pace of life in this part of the country. Upon arrival of the group at Barangay Cayumbay, most of the students were already there. Bgy. Capt. Juco organized the kids by grade level as the riders were preparing and packing the school supplies in plastic bags; 4 notebooks, 2 pad papers, 2 pencils for grade 1 to grade 3; and 4 notebooks, 2 ball pens and 2 intermediate pad papers for grade 4 to grade 6 students. The kids and the parents also brought some gifts. They gave us freshly picked pineapples, papaya and one big “Langka” as a show of gratitude. After distributing the school supplies and after some pictures were taken, the volunteer organizers held a short meeting to account for the expenses. As with the first round, there were still funds left, enough for a starter fund for Round 3. As of press time, funds are still being collected and plans for the next round are being discussed, possibly “Plant a Tree” or maybe “Tsinelas para sa Bata” are among the choices.

These groups of riders barely know each other. Some recognize each other by the handle name they use in the forums. Most of them are total strangers from each other but are united by one goal - to ride and to help the less fortunate at the same time. They are the modern knights on iron horses, willing to extend a helping hand and share their blessings to the less fortunate. Showing that the spirit of “bayanihan” is still alive as this “Ride For a Cause” is a purely voluntary project, these modern knights will continue to ride the countrysides and lend a hand in whatever way they can.