Community service on tap for Ronda ’15

MANILA, Philippines - Ronda Pilipinas 2015 presented by LBC will do community service on the side while it launches its nationwide search for cyclists with potentials to make it to the national team.

Nena Wuthrich, head of LBC Foundation which has partnered with Ronda the last four editions for its social work, said they have lined up several programs, including environment friendly activities starting with mangroves planting in Bacolod on Feb. 12.

“This is in line with LBC’s thrust to reach out to the community using Ronda Pilipinas as one of our vehicles,” said Wutrich.

Other activities lined up by LBC Foundation during Ronda is a visit to cancer victims of Kythe Foundation in Tarlac City on Feb. 16, refurbishing and installation of a selected school in Antipolo City the next day, and a feeding program in Dagupan, Pangasinan on Feb. 26.

Tree-planting activities are also being planned in Dumaguete City where Ronda will come off the wraps and in Baguio, the traditional finish line venue of every big cycling event.

“Ronda Pilipinas is not just all about the race, it’s also about promoting local tourism by showing off some of the country’s beautiful places, doing community service and promoting environmental protection,” said Ronda executive director Moe Chulani.

Ronda unfurls with a three-stage Visayas Qualifying Leg on Feb. 11-13 in the Negros island where 54 slots (50 elite and four juniors) will be up for grabs. The two-stage Luzon qualifier, on the other hand, is slated Feb. 16 and 17 in Tarlac and Antipolo City where 34 spots (30 elite, four juniors) are at stake.

The 88 Visayas and Luzon qualifiers will then join last year’s champion Reimon Lapaza of Butuan, the nine-man national team spearheaded by Mark Galedo and a composite European team in the Championship round on Feb. 22-27 which will start in Greenfield City in Sta. Rosa and end in the country’s summer capital.

Visayas’ Stage One will start at the Negros Oriental Prov’l Capitol and end in Silay City Plaza (172.7 kilometers for elite, 120.2 kms for juniors); Stage Two will start at the Bacolod City Plaza and end at the Bacolod Government Center via Don Salvador Benedicto and San Carlos (158 kms for elite, 110.5 kms for juniors) on Feb. 12 ; and Stage Three will open at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol and end in Cadiz City (123 kms for elite and juniors).

The race is backed by the Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation and Petron and minor sponors Cannondale, Standard Insurance, Tech1 Corp., Maynilad and NLEX and sanctioned by PhilCycling under Cavite Congressman Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino with TV5 and Sports Radio as media partners.

Interested parties may get their registration form online at Ronda Pilipinas’ official Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/RondaPilipinas, and Twitter account, @rondapilipinas, or aspirants may register a day or two hours before Qualifying Race Day for just P1,000 per entry per Stage.