Inside "Full Throttle: Jamboree"

MANILA, Philippines - Creating a local version of the famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is not an easy task but with the success of last year’s Full Throttle: Rock and Ride, Von Dutch in partnership with MotorCycle and Power Wheels magazines are back with Full Throttle: Jamboree, a motorcycle event held last April 21-22 at Casa Corazon in Lemery, Batangas.

It started with MotoFiesta motorcycle shows, Bikers’ Night parties and now the Full Throttle Bikers’ Night grand events. The success led to the Jamboree that Two-Wheel Enthusiasts Network (TEN) Inc., president Lester Dizon envisions to be the local Sturgis and will be held annually to promote the motorcycle lifestyle as well as the advocacies on safe riding, equitable road usage, and the upliftment of the Filipino motorcyclist.

Arriving at the venue with my Makati Moto Club buddies, I met up with Shawie Dizon, vice president for sales and marketing of TEN and better half of Lester Dizon for our registration. Lester arrived with his 500cc Royal Enfield Classic motorcycle, which is unique with its bulletproof chassis. Upon dismounting he asked me if I wanted to take it for a spin, which I happily replied yes to, to the envy of my clubmates.

Casa Corazon is the added attraction to the event as it has a museum that houses a collection of more than 100 classic scooters and motorcycles that took twenty years to complete. One can see fully restored BMWs like a 1926 R42, a 1939 R12, 1940 R35 and a 1941 R75, which is the most sophisticated motorcycle during World War II complete with a sidecar, trailer and its original M34 machine gun.

As the high noon of the midday sun took its toll, we took an early tour of the museum to give us respite from the searing heat.

The fun began late afternoon as local riders from small and big bike clubs were treated to an early raffle draw, with two of my clubmates winning a helmet and a sunglass. A brand-new Demak Duta 125cc scooter was the grand prize. This was followed by a variety of activities such as parlor games and a mechanical bull challenge that I participated in and sadly lost (being on the bull for only 26 seconds—you had to be on it for at least 5 minutes).

The locals too had a good time as big bike clubs graced the event with Mad Dog bikers and the Luzon Motorcyclists Federation, Inc. (LMFI) headed by club president retired Gen. Reynaldo Berroya.

As the night progressed, more raffle prizes from Von Dutch and Spyder were given away in intervals as bikers reveled with the rock band Epic performing songs from Led Zeppelin and other rock hits. The sexy GoGirls Dancers’ sizzling performances heated up the night with a red-hot fire dancing routine, parlor games and a wet-and-wild water gun match that included the spectators.

To wrap up the night, lucky clubmate Robert Achas became the proud new owner of the Demak Duta 125cc scooter.

“My wife and I were planning to buy a scoot this year; luckily we don’t need to buy anymore!” said the ecstatic Achas.

With any luck, I’ll be the one bringing home the grand prize next year.