Rain or Storm

MANILA, Philippines - The 15th Annual Motorcycle Convention of the National Federation of Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines, Inc. (NFMCPI) was successfully held last May 8-10, 2009 despite the triple threat of the global financial recession, the swine flu pandemic and the onslaught of typhoon Emong. Held at the Baguio Convention Center in Baguio City, the bike convention, which was hosted by the Lawin Motorcyclists Club (LAWIN) and the Luzon Motorcyclists Federation, Inc. (LMFI) under the helm of DOTC Assistant Secretary and LMFI president Reynaldo Berroya, and co-hosted by the Vigan Heritage Riders Club under Jose “Bonito” Singson, proved the resilience and resolve of the Filipino motorcycle riders who rode all the way to Baguio City “rain or storm.”

Berroya used the event to unite the motorcycle community and foster camaraderie among bike clubs to show the growing strength of the local motorcyclists so that government can direct some programs for the bikers’ benefit. He coordinated with the directors of Motorcycle Philippines Federation (MCPF), Atoy Sta. Cruz and Jojo Medina, to conduct a joint activity and make the convention’s central theme of “One Philippines” a reality.

Unity Ride for the Environment

One of the activities jointly conducted by the NFMCPI and the MCPF was the Unity Ride for the Environment (URE), which was the prelude to the Baguio motorcycle convention. Spearheaded by Engineer Bobby Fariñas of the Philippine Ports Authority, almost 4,000 motorcyclists gathered at the People Power Monument at White Plains Avenue and EDSA in Quezon City. The riders were flagged off by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, DOTC Secretary Larry Mendoza, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., Asst. Sec. Berroya, Eng’r. Fariñas and Gen. Fernando “Ding” Pace (Ret.), who was the president of the Law Enforcers Riding Association of the Philippines (LERAP) and the committee chairman for the bike convention.

The long convoy of motorcycle riders traversed EDSA and the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), which was declared open by the President herself, and proceeded to the Centennial Park at the former Clark Air Base in Pampanga, where a mini-program was held to celebrate the Unity Ride. The URE, which is one of the most ambitious projects undertaken by a local motorcycle club, allowed the NFMCPI to purchase tree saplings that were planted around Ambuklao Dam after the convention proper.

Camaraderie and Warmth in Baguio City

On May 7, typhoon Emong battered the shorelines of Pangasinan and La Union, felled some trees along the roads going up to Baguio and caused some landslides along Kennon Road. But the morning of May 8 saw a sunlit Baguio City, which was celebrating its centennial year, and bikers started arriving at the Baguio Convention Center (BCC) to participate in the annual bike fest. The riders who joined the Unity Ride were delayed on their ride up to Baguio and some were discouraged by the road debris created by the typhoon. Yet, despite the threats, the hardcore bikers made the trek up and the BCC was swamped with motorcycles of all kinds and vintages.

In the absence of Mayor Reinaldo Bautista, Acting Mayor Dan Fariñas extended the city’s hospitality as the host city and welcomed all the participating riders, who were entertained by a lot of programs, exhibits and activities including a hot outdoor concert by Sani Pilif (Filipinas, spelled backwards) sponsored by Honda Philippines (HPI) and a sexy Bikini Biker Babes contest conducted by MotorCycle Magazine and Bikers’ Den bar. Various Honda, Suzuki, BMW, Ducati and KTM motorcycle models were prominently displayed by HPI, Guanzon Honda, Suzuki Philippines, Autohaus BMW and Access Plus while Motolite, Castrol, ELF Moto, MotoSpray, West Eagle and Dan’s Bike Shop displayed their wares with Honda Safety Driving Center operating their computerized riding simulator for the riders.

The next day (May 9), NFMCPI Federation member-clubs enjoyed several exclusive activities inside the BCC like an indoor concert sponsored by Suzuki Philippines that featured great music by hot bands Epic and Juice. Eng’r. Fariñas provided the afternoon entertainment with Allan Matas on the keyboards while Bonito Singson turned up the heat that night when he invited KO Jones to perform hot rock and roll numbers and the Go Girls to perform hot dance numbers. Suzuki and MotorCycle Magazine teamed up to provide the finale, a trio of hot mud wrestling bouts featuring the ladies of Zimah Bar in Baguio City.

C. U. in Cebu

Another accomplishment of the bike convention was the recognition of the role of motorcycles as a mode of transportation for millions of Filipinos. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Proclamation Order 1720 declaring May 4-10, 2009, as Philippine Motorcyclists Week, which directed the DOTC to coordinate the observance of Philippine Motorcyclists Week. And in a fitting show of respect for the host city, Baguio, Asst. Sec. Berroya transferred the NFMCPI presidency to Rolando Ting, president of next year’s host club, the V-Max Owners Group (VOG) of Cebu City using the traditional Ifugao head gear instead of the traditional NFMCPI flag turn-over.

The 15th National Motorcycle Convention was sponsored by Castrol (BP Philippines), Motolite, Suzuki Philippines, Honda Philippines, Total/Elf Moto, West Eagle, Stradcom, Access Plus, Imarflex, YRS Motorcycle Modifications, Dan’s Bike Shop, Destiny Cargo, Sting Energy Drink, MotoSpray. Media partners include Gadgets Magazine, MotorCycle Magazine, Inside Racing, Scooterista, Mo2rista, The Philippine STAR, Clickthecity.com, Yehey.com, motorcyclephilippines.com, 103.5 Max FM, NU 107, Wave 89.1, and NBN Information Channel and Stoplight TV.