TSP in Green Living on ANC

Paolo Abrera recently featured folding bikes and Tiklop Society of the Philippines (TSP) on his ANC pro-environment TV show, Green Living.

I hope the 10 minute segment convinces many others to commute by bike. People don't have to go drastic and junk their cars. Of course not, I myself still drive. But for short trips from the house (Let's say to the sari-sari store, the village association office, the church, etc.), may be people can just pedal their way rather than drive. 

Later on, if they're comfortable with biking already, may be get a folding bike and start integrating it into their daily commute. In the mean time, enjoy the video clip! 

Mini Bike Tour of Burgos, Bangui and Pagudpud

Last weekend, around 30 of my friends from TSP visited my hometown of Laoag, Ilocos Norte, for a 3-day bike tour. On their first day (Saturday), the group biked from Laoag to Paoay and Batac following a similar route Al and I took last April with our foldies. Unfortunately, I was not able to join them because I had to attend an FGD on enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings (Don't ask me, I also don't know why I was invited).

Anyway, the next day (Sunday), I joined them for their Laoag-Pagudpud bike ride. Most of the group were billeted at Ilocos Rosewell Hotel in San Nicolas town, near Robinsons mall.

They originally planned to bike all  the way (80 kms.) from Laoag to Pagudpud, however, they were so exhausted from the bike ride the day before that they decided to start midway, in Burgos town, instead.

So, I borrowed our Kia Elf truck and hired a passenger jeepney for the day. We loaded our folding bikes on the truck, boarded the jeepney, and we were on our way at 8:45am.

Our first stop was my grandfather's shrine in Brgy. 20, Laoag City. We got off the jeepney and had our first group photo.

After that, we proceeded north and passed Bacarra town. We took a short break at a bakery in Pasuquin town where the group tasted our local pastry, the Biscocho. And then we continued with our journey.

At the Pasuquin Bakery

When we got to Burgos town at around 10am, the group went up the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. We spent a considerable length of time there due to non-stop picture-taking. 

Al and I waiting for the others

Anyway, after about 20 minutes, when we got to gather all the people together, our TSP contingent transferred to nearby Kapurpurawan Rock, where we enjoyed the scenery of the natural rock formation next to the South China Sea (Ehem, I meant West Philippine Sea).

Although I'm a local, this was my first time at Kapurpurawan!

At 11:45am, we boarded the jeepney and proceeded to Burgos Poblacion. Once there, we were met by the bikers of Sokisok Bike Club. They were there to support and assist us.

Yes, this is a bike ride, Virginia! And, yes, after riding a jeepney for 40 kms., we finally unloaded our bikes and unfolded them!

Papa Rocky getting some help from Sokisok in replacing his Vector's inner tube.

So we started our mini bike tour in Burgos at 12:15pm! From poblacion to Bangui town it was all uphill! I was supposed to be the ride leader since I'm from here, but people just kept on overtaking me. I was biking so slow! (I hate uphill climbs!) 

The group took a break at Bangui Viewdeck. We rehydrated, ate siopao (Thanks, Marc!) and took lots of group pictures.

With Sokisok Bikers of Bacarra.



From the viewdeck, we biked downhill. Reached speeds of up to 45 kph! At the base, we took a left turn at Brgy. Taguipuro and biked towards the Bangui Windmills.

BCP Represent!

Brommie Skywalker at the Bangui Windmills

Tina, Ruth and I leaving Bangui Windmills

From there, the group left the bay and rode back to the national highway. We biked further up north, passed Bangui Poblacion until we reached the welcome arc of Pagudpud town!

That's me on the bridge before entering Pagudpud!

We all caught our breath and had another group picture taking. And then another uphill climb as we entered Pagudpud town proper. After 3 hours (including stops and breaks), we reached our final destination, Saud Beach! We had pedaled a total of 34 kilometers.

We ate late lunch at our family resthouse at 3pm. Later, the others rode the jeepney to visit the Patapat Viaduct. I stayed behind, chatted with Marc, Ruth, Romy and Mang Joseph, and enjoyed a cold beer.

At 5, we cleaned our bikes. We loaded them onto the truck. And at 6-6:30pm, we all drove back to Laoag City.

The next day (Monday), the TSP bikers boarded a bus and this time took a day trip to Vigan in Ilocos Sur--folding bikes in tow, of course. I had already left for Manila.

Anyhoo, I think my friends enjoyed their visit. (Thanks to Al and Geraldine Castillo for arranging their transpo and lodging!) They got to tour most of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur within just 3 days, and do so on their bikes! So cool! I wish we can do this again in other places here in the Philippines, like let's say, Corregidor, Cebu or even Davao. Heck, there's even a call to organize one in Batanes! Go, go, go!!!

Good times! Ride a bicycle! You get to appreciate the scenery way better!

*Photos in this post courtesy of Al Castillo, Christian Ronquillo, Ruth Rodriguez, Zaldy Austria, and Dr. Glynson Cua. Thank you.

TSP

My bike riding group here in Manila is Tiklop Society of the Philippines (or TSP).  I joined them about August last year during one of the critical mass rides organized by the Firefly Brigade. The TSP members I first met were Paul Siochi, Froilan Guevarra, Arman and Mia Lee, Abel Lazona and Ricky Cosai.  I didn't know them from Adam, except that they rode folding bikes. 

Back then I was still using my Dahon Jack--a folding bike with 26" wheels.  Despite its standard size, I didn't feel comfortable riding that bike with either mountain bikers or road racers.  I felt out of place with those bicyclists.

Buti na lang may TSP! 

Because my bike was essentially a folding bike, I ended up riding with Paul, Arman and the others that day.  And that was that! I instantly became a member of TSP!  No application form. No entry fee. No qualifying bike ride. Nothing! They immediately accepted me into their fold (pun intended) like I was their long lost friend.

So, since August 2010, and in all rides of the Firefly Brigade, I bike with TSP.  Our group eventually grew bigger and bigger and I got to make other friends including Pio and Ethel Fortuno, Ruth Rodriguez, Papa Rocky, Pia Faustino, Diane Flaviano, Dennis Ng, Lisa Camara, Lawrence Tan, Mike Donadilla, Mark Mortel, Arnel Andal, Larry Perico, Brznf Yu,  and my kababayans Al and Dhine Castillo. 

We come from all walks of life: From bank managers to doctors; photographers to entrepreneurs; businessmen to retired military officers; both professionals and students; young and old; men and women; you name it, our group is diverse as it gets.

And we ride all kinds of folding bikes: Dahon, Peerless, Doppelganger, Strida, Brompton, Flamingo, Giant, Orbea, Bike Friday, Jaguar, Chevrolet, Codi, Japanese Surplus, whatever--basta nati-tiklop pwede. There's no bike discrimination in TSP.  And like I said, no application form, no entry fee and no initiation whatsoever.  As long as you own a folding bike and you want to ride with us, just ride with us.  That's it!

Aside from sharing the same passion for folding bikes, there are other reasons why I enjoy riding with TSP.  First, I like the pacing of our bike rides.  It's relaxed.  Not too fast, and yet not too slow (from 15 to 20kph)--just the right speed.  I appreciate it also that we wait for one other and we don't leave people behind.  Second, I like the places we go to.  I mean I don't need to drive 25 kilometers to San Mateo, Rizal to use my mountain bike, or 55 kilometers to Tagaytay so that I can ride my road bike.  No. Most of the time, TSP rides are right here in Metro Manila!  We've explored Intramuros and Binondo; Glorietta and Greenbelt; Greenhills adn Tiendesitas; QC Circle and UP Diliman; Bonifacio High Street; Malabon, Navotas and Marikina.  Lately, we've travelled as far as Bulacan in the north and Laguna in the south.  It's great because we can bike as far as we want. When we get tired, we just fold our bikes and board a bus to go home (You can't do that on a regular bike).  Finally, and most importantly, I ride with TSP because I like the people in TSP.  They're generally friendly and helpful.  What can I say, whenever I ride with them I don't feel like I'm just riding with acquaintances who I see every Sunday morning.  No.  I feel like I'm riding with family.  While we bike, we get to talk about everything under the sun: current events, our work and our problems.  I even get to consult with some of them every so often.  Most of the time though, we talk about bike upgrades! We call this sickness 'Folderitis.' (More on this next time) Nevertheless, the important thing is we talk.  And conversations always make the journey shorter. 

So I'd like to dedicate this entry to my friends in Tiklop Society of the Philippines. 

Thank you for (almost) one year of fun rides around the metropolis!  May we have more adventurous bike rides in the future! 

Thank you for (almost) one year of friendship and camaraderie!  May our folding bike tribe increase! And may we continue influencing other people to leave their cars and go by bike!

Cheers! Cheers! Cheers!

Mini Bike Tour of Calamba, Laguna

Brommie Skywalker with a Jose Rizal decal in front of Rizal's new statue in Calamba, Laguna

Last June 19, 2011, I went on a bike ride with Tiklop Society of the Philippines to Calamba, Laguna, to join in the celebration for our national hero's 150th birth anniversary.  The main group met up and started at Luneta in Manila, where Jose Rizal was executed more than 100 years ago.  I joined them in Puregold Supermarket along NAIA Ave. in Paranaque at 7am with 2 other bikers, Richard and Karlo.

Brommie Skywalker waiting in front of Puregold

Brommie Skywalker ready for the wet weather

From Puregold we biked south to Sucat Road.  We stopped at GoodAh!!! (yes, that's the name of the restaurant) and had breakfast there.  There were 27 of us present--pretty good attendance for TSP!

That's us lining up to give our orders.  And that's our jersey!

Dr. Arman Lee, Al Castillo, me and Mike Donadilla

I had Arrozcaldo, Asado Siopao and Coke, all for P145.  Not bad.

Group photo in front of GoodAh!!!

From there, we proceeded east towards the the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).

We crossed the bridge and entered the East Service Road and headed south to Alabang.

Once we got to Alabang in Muntinlupa City, we entered the Old National Highway.

We continued biking south and we passed San Pedro City in Laguna.  Saw a funny sign which read, "Welcome to Laguna--The Resort Capital, Detroit and Silicon Valley of the Philippines!" 

Really now, Gov. Ejercito.  Resort Capital, may be.  But Detroit AND Silicon Valley?  You've got to be kidding.  

After San Pedro, we passed by Binan, Laguna.

And after that, we passed by Santa Rosa and Cabuyao.

Here we are at Seven-Eleven in Cabuyao, Laguna

Having pedaled more than 40 kilometers, we pedaled some more.  We continued going south until we reached Calamba, Laguna, hometown of our beloved national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal.

Entering Calamba City Proper.

Passing through SM City Calamba.

We turned right just before the Old National Highway would lead us to Los Banos.  We entered the 6.7 hectare Tinahuyan Park where we were greeted by protesters and policemen in full battle gear.  I think they were farmers calling on President Aquino to amend the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform law, among many others.  It's a good thing the police blockade allowed us to pass through.

After biking over 50 kilometers, TSP finally reached the new Jose Rizal statue in Calamba! The statue was unveiled by no less than President Aquino earlier that day.  Standing 22 feet, it is allegedly the tallest Jose Rizal statue in the world.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Arman Lee

After taking a million group photos, we decided to have lunch.  We biked a couple of kilometers more until we reached Aviles Restaurant in Brgy. Real, and had Bulalo.  Yum!

Photo courtesy of Dr. Arman Lee

After lunch, some members went back home to Manila.  Doc Arman invited the rest to visit the Rizal Shrine, and so about 20 of us biked back to Calamba City proper.  


When we got to the main intersection, the road leading to the shrine was blocked because of a parade.  Apparently, the whole city government of Calamba was participating in this big parade to celebrate Rizal's 150 years.

The 5 of us: Doc Arman, Abel, Gerry, Papa Rocky and I, managed to pass through the security cordon and some how, some way, got to join the parade as 'participants' of the Human Resource Management Office.  Hehehe.

Those at the back, including Al, Ruth, Tina and Ronx, weren't as lucky.  The police didn't let them pass.  So they turned around and went home.

That's Papa Rocky following the parade.

That's Doc Arman leading us.

Abel, Papa Rocky, myself and Gerry

We finally reached the Rizal Shrine, our national hero's ancestral house and birthplace.  Here I am with Gerry.  That's Rizal's house behind us!

This is us with soldiers dressed up as Katipuneros.

And this is us with the whole PNP of Calamba right at our backs.  It's a wonder none of them ever questioned our participation in the parade.

From the Rizal Shrine, we biked 2 kilometers back to SM Calamba.  Abel's knees were hurting so he folded his Brompton and took a tricycle to Brgy. Turbina, where the bus station was.

Papa Rocky, Gerry, Doc Arman and I continued biking 3 kilometers heading west to Turbina.  When we got to Turbina we folded our bikes and boarded a bus for our trip back to Manila. 

Brommie Skywalker sat next to me in the bus.  The ride back to Manila was fast.  It took only about 30 minutes. I got off at the Magallanes Interchange and biked back to my car in the nearby village.

Great ride with TSP!  Biked a total of 55 kilometers from Paranaque, Manila to Calamba, Laguna, to visit the new Jose Rizal statue and Rizal's ancestral house, on the very same day the whole nation was celebrating his 150th birthday.  How cool is that?!

Good times!

PS: Special thanks to Doc Arman Lee and Al Castillo for some of the photos in this entry.