Shake, rock and Roro

It is amazing how P1 million could have a profound effect on one’s life even without it being in your hands.

I discovered this fact as I travelled via bus and Roro ferry with 30 contestants of The 3rd “Ready, Set, RORO!” Development Bank of the Philippines Interisland Race last   Nov. 7 to 12. As I joined their first leg, I saw these 10 groups, composed of three members each, run the 2km San Juanico bridge, paint each other’s face on a Roro, dig for treasure in Bohol, and sign up to brave each other’s temperaments for six days to win the grand prize of P1 million.

The money though from these huff-and-puff races was not the ultimate goal. It was something deeper, as aptly described by DBP president and CEO Reynaldo G. David in his welcome speech to the racers in Tagbilaran City, Bohol: “The challenge of the competition is to conquer oneself.” Thus, the one and six zeroes soon become more than personal bragging rights. The game turns into a battle of vanquishing your waterloos and discovering uncharted internal riches as you will read these contestants unearthed themselves.

Starting On The Right Foot

Hence, it was well suited that this DBP Interisland Race was developed to promote the Road Roll-on, Roll-off (RORO) Terminal System (RRTS). It is because this infrastructure network under the Sustainable Logistics Development Program (SLDP) aims for the country to work with its natural archipelagic barriers so that transportation of people and goods could be faster, cheaper, and more efficient.

To convey this game of man wrestling with nature, DBP teamed up with Think Ideas Advertising to chose a cast of players who have already tamed parts of themselves, claimed personal wins, and now seek to reach greater heights. And as I met the teams, the common link between all of them is that they are all accomplished individuals for distinct reasons. For Team Narra, Will Nocom has been running his corporate giveaways company for over 10 years and his teammate Super Perez, who he met two weeks before the the competition in Hong Kong, is a karate blackbelt instructor and a medical surgeon in training, too. Meanwhile, Tamaraw’s gym buffs Rayn and Tina Yu and Kanlaon’s twin brothers Jojo and Jedtz have settled many sibling rivalries to reach this road. On the other hand, strengthening lifelong friendships is the goal of Sikatuna’s martial artists Rasm Mendez and Ian Caingat, Apo’s students Cams Lozano and Kynz Flores, Sampaguita’s “sisters from another mother” Tine Grande and Kat Sanga, and Lapu Lapu’s forever friends Eds Saguin and Toni Cañeda. And for couples like Agila’s artists Derek Grey and Peaches De Guzman, Anahaw’s students Chad Venades and Roxy Barrio, and Mayon’s newlyweds Jenny and Nitoi Vilaflor, it is about giving a free trip to your better half and bringing home the bacon, too.

Celebrities who were paired with these teams carried their own weight, too, as many were no stranger to pressure. Rainer Castillo, Mike Tan, and Aaron Villaflor have been through the fire of talent competitions. Ketchup Eusebio climbed the showbiz ladder to reach the star title of Best Supporting Actor for the Gurian Awards. Bea Saw stayed four months in Bahay ni Kuya and won Pinoy Big Brother. Bombshell Jen Rosendahl left Germany to live in the Philippines. On the court, Ateneo Blue Eagle pointguard Jai Reyes shoots and scores under a time clock. As for Ryza Senon, Charee Pineda, and Zyra Dela Pena, these petite girls have disciplined themselves to fight the rigors of showbiz life.

Unearth Your Inner Magellan

Despite their God-given virtues, the DBP Roro race tested each contestant’s mettle. For starters, team Lapu Lapu from Cebu began the game early as they rode a small fishing boat to make it to the briefing night in Bohol because airplane flights were cancelled due to the storm. Others were not daunted by this show of will as they were equally prepared. Teams Agila’s Peaches researched facts about the delicacies and intricacies of each province. For his part, Narra’s Will Nocom used his pocket notebook to jot down goals, tokens, and information he got from the medics on how to survive the grueling schedule. Some teams brought maps and carefully chose the load they carried in their Oakley bags.

As the game journeyed on, it became clear that winning the game was not about fighting against nature but working with it like how the Roro is in harmony with the country’s topography. Most teams were close-knit and efficient because they balanced each other out and accepted the strengths and weaknesses of each member. Team Sikatuna’s musclebound boys carried Jen’s bag when she got extremely tired and she helped rouse the team with her fiery personality in Cebu City. Jai Reyes carried his teammate Peaches as his team ran the San Juanico bridge and she watched the whirlpools.

Dealing with mother nature also meant rolling with its surprises or “moments” as Mayon’s Jen would say after her team left a crucial clue for their next pitstop. Thus, forcing her group to return and land in last place for a challenge. It also meant working out their differences as Agila’s Lasallian Derek paired up with Atenean Jai Reyes. Bea Saw got a boost on San Juanico bridge from a fan who kept cheering her on in his car as she walked to the end of the bridge.

Natural Winner

After traversing Leyte, Camarines Sur, and Masbate via the Roro, the competition winded down in Lucena Quezon with the final four teams Kanlaon, Narra, Mayon, and Sikatuna heading to the DBP office in Makati with any transportation means available. Sikatuna who had a 30-minute head start was expected to win. But unaccustomed to the urban terrain, they got lost. Then, Kanlaon won the competition as they rappelled the 7th floor of DBP because they had the advantage of knowing the small byways of the city as Jojo’s office was nearby. They proved that conquering your own world involves knowing who you are, understanding the people around you, and dealing with the environment.

And if you are able to balance these three elements, you might be able to find treasures beyond P1 million in your life!

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Read more about the competition at http://www.dbprororace2008.com.

Watch the DBP Roro Race on Dec. 5 and 6 (Friday-Saturday), 6-7 p.m.at Studio 23.

Wanna ride the Roro Ferry? Learn how at http://www.lakbaypilipinas.com/blog.

Book a ticket at:

http://www.lite-shipping.com,/

http://www.montenegrolines.com.ph.