Up, up to “Mickey Mouse”

was in Baguio City for work, and since have an extra free day, i brought along Ani and finally visited one of the city’s famous landmarks – “Mickey Mouse”.

coined from Walt Disney’s famous character, Baguio City’s “Mickey Mouse” is actually an old two-disc-shaped radiotransmitters used for communications by the US Army decades ago. located in Mt. Cabuyao, the highest point of the city at 2,060+ meters, locals also refer to this site as “radar”. the said discs can be seen as far as La Union.

aside from the disc, various transmitters and telecommunications antennas are installed in the area.

since Mt Cabuyao and the nearby Mt Sto Tomas are already populated, there are public utility jeeps going to the said sites. if you have your bike (or vehicle), from the city proper proceed to Marcos Highway (formerly Palispis Hway) and then turn left to Green Valley. got lost along the way hehehe but after reviewing my map, asking directions, finally was able to reach GV.

then more than 5 kilometers uphill to Mt. Cabuyao. 95% of the road though is already concrete.

enjoy the relaxing, cool breeze and the magnificent view of Cordilleras. be mesmerized and identify the peaks of some of CAR’s famous mountains - Mt Ugo, Mt Panotoan and Mt Pulag.

a birds-eye view of the congested Baguio City (a city whose population is already 3x its carrying capacity).

lots of birds along the way. passed by small terraces intended for vegetable and strawberries. too bad its not strawberry season, tsk

still a very happy day. solo bike ride in the cordilleras can really relieve your stress :)

sorry for the photos. don’t have a camera so just relied sa powers ng aking mobile phone.

Mt Cabuyao, Benguet

11.29.11

riding adversity: a tribute

braving the congested and polluted streets, scorching heat of the urban jungle, fatigue and toil... Carmela Yap, 39, is one of the 4,000+ bikers who trooped the streets of Metro Manila on the 20^th of November to celebrate the Araw ng Siklista.

the cyclists here in NCR leg and other major areas in the country unite on this day to highlight the need for policies and programs that will make our roads safe both for bike commuters and pedestrians.

but during the course of the bike tour, Carmela was hit by a passenger jeep. she was dragged for a few meters before the vehicle came into a full stop. the accident happened in front of Manila City Hall. the driver, who was detained, claimed that the jeep lost its brakes. Carmela suffered multiple fractured ribs, damage to her kidney and other internal organs, bruises, etc. as of today, she is still confined in Manila Doctors Hospital and continuously needs blood transfusion and medical attention. she may also undergo a medical operation.

Carmela before the accident (photo from CYCAD)

sadly, Carmela is just one of the many cyclists who became victims to road accidents and mishap because of lack of discipline of many motorists and lack of bike lanes that will make our streets safe for pedestrians and friendly to cyclist and non-motorize commuters.

the government and we, for that matter since government is the people (I wish), allowed that our streets should be utilized only by motorize vehicles. yet, only less than 20% of Filipinos owns a vehicle!!!

i love my mountain bike and I always encourage my friends to experience again the joys of biking, just like when we enjoyed it during our childhood. it’s like riding the wind amidst all the world’s adversities. It’s the ultimate eco-friendly and sustainable mode of transportation, a small contribution to our Mother Earth.

i salute all the cycling advocates all over the world. and my salute to Carmela. we wish for your speedy recovery so that you can ride again.

Carmela needs our help. if you wish to donate any amount to help her survive her medical expenses, please directly send your donations to Ms. Carmela Yap's bank account at Banco de Oro - Savings Account No. 005540126913. or drop them at Water Bottle for Carmela Fund at Carlito's BikeShop at CP Garcia ave. UP, Diliman, Q.C.

ArtBike: Museums

with typhoon Quiel looming in the horizon, I and Ani (my bike) pedaled to Manila City from Quezon City (distance of 13 km) to join the 4th ArtBike*, a unique biking event that promotes the country's proud history, culture and talents.

this month features museums - visits to some of our vaults of arts and cultures.

first, bike ride within the old-walled city of Intramuros. been to this famous tourist spot countless of times but it’s my first time to navigate the cobblestone streets of Intramuros in a bicycle.

next stop, the National Museum (http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph). the main building houses some of the country’s treasures such as the famous “Spoliarium” of Juan Luna and the “Assassination of Governor Bustamante”, a famous and awarded work of Felix Resurrección Hidalgo.

the country’s primary museum also houses the works of our national artists – Fernando Amorsolo, Botong Francisco, Juan Arellano, etc.

then a quick stop to Hiraya Gallery (530 UN Avenue, Manila). the gallery is a small virtual space that showcases the works of new and emerging artists.

it started to drizzle when we arrived at the Metropolitan Museum (http://www.metmuseum.ph/). located at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas building along Roxas boulevard, the Met houses modern and contemporary visual paintings and installations.

the Met also kept another famous work of Hidalgo titled the “Las Virgenes Cristianas expuestas al populacho” (The Christian virgins Exposed to the Populace), the silver medallist during the 1884 Exposición Nacional de Bellas Arte, the same competition where Luna also gained international recognition. too bad, only a reproduction of the said painting is available for public viewing.

the weather turned bad when we arrived at Galleria Duemilla (http://www.galleriaduemila.com/). yet, we were received with warm hospitality by the owner Silvana Ancellotti-Diaz. the galleria showcases contemporary paintings, sculptures, paper works, installations, etc.

Silvania also gave us a quick tour of her compound, working stations, their vintage car collection, etc.

raining still, we arrived at Avellano Gallery (House A-19, 2680 F.B. Harrison, Pasay City). the gallery showcases unique spiral metal installations, glass work, etc.

decided to break out from the group (missed the GSIS Museum) because of the bad weather and an expected long ride back to QC (more than 20km). encountered the wrath of Quiel on the return trip – strong winds and blinding downpour, exciting hehehe. but when both brakes of Ani failed, it obliterated the fun, tsk.

a very informative day and wonderful urban bike tour :)

ArtBike

10.01.11

Manila – Pasay

*the ArtBike was conceptualized by group of friends who loves biking and art. thru this initiative, they hope to promote the country’s diverse natural wealth, talent and culture. ArtBike is held every first Saturday of the month.

Biking with the Fireflies...

42kms bike route (total of 57kms for me since I started in QC), 5 cities, and thousands of advocates and bike enthusiasts.

my second tour with the fireflies.

rides ranging from old-school "marry poppins", mountain and road bikes, tiklop, to high-end custom-made bicycles. weird to fashionable costumes. bikers calling for a revolution.

and finally, very glad to meet again old friends on the streets.

13th Tour of the Fireflies

04.17.11

Pasig City-CCP-Pasig City

Busy Bee in Burdeos

Due to persistent pangungulit of Liza and her sister Willie, thank you sis, my butt was able to reach the beautiful town of Burdeos!

One of the five municipalities in the Polillo Group of Islands, Burdeos boosts geographical wonders such as islets with white sand beaches, rich coral formations, waterfalls and limestones caves. Its luscious forests and ecological sanctuaries serve as a habitat to some of the countries endemic but critically endangered fauna and flora such as the Philippine Cockatoo, Butaan Tree Lizard, Polillo Tree Frog, etc.

This is my third journey to Polillo Group of Islands- been to Polillo and Patnanungan, thanks also to Liza, and Jomalig, courtesy of my dear friend Iori.

For this trip, I was part of the eleven volunteers who helped facilitate various activities organized by Liza, in coordination with the local government of Burdeos. The team is compose of "mother hen" Liza, me, the Cristobal flower-flower girls Willie, Ana, Judith and best buds Cherry and Hilda, father-and-son Saar and Kaseem, and wild dudes Jon and Leo.

Our activities include:

Paper jewelry workshop for the ladies.

Art contest and face paint exercises for kids.

River clean-up and waste audit. Plastic bags, again, is one of the top litters.

And mangrove treeplanting in Barangay Cabungalunan.

And yes, yes, Ani also joined us. This is her first trip to Quezon, yey! Since Raymond buses going to Real (jump-off to the Polillo islands) have small compartments, I was forced to dismantle Ani and put her on a bike bag. It was also my first to assemble and dismantle Ani on my own. No choice hehehe. Great tips from bike guru Shyo.

Bike itinerary involved a visit, and of course swim, to Tamulaya Waterfalls located in the town of Polillo, the 16-km bike ride in the muddy Polillo-Burdeos national road and quick bike wash in an unnamed river.

Other highlights of the busy weekend: swimming and camping at Ikulong Island, visit to Sitio Puting Bato Cave and the dark-dwelling bats, spider and pygmy frog,

snorkeling at Aniwan Island, takla (crayfish), Willie's adobo and grilled fishes for lunch/dinner, meeting the wonderful people of Burdeos, and bonding with old and new friends.

Still planning to bike around Real but the weather turned bad when we arrived at the Ungos Port. So sad.

Well, another reason to go back hehehe.

Burdeos, Quezon 04.01-04.11

Going to Burdeos? Proceed to Ungos Port in Real, Quezon. If you are coming from Metro Manila, you can take the Raymond Bus going to Infanta, Quezon. Bus terminal is located at Sampaloc, Manila City. From Ungos Port, take a boat to Barangay Anawan, Polillo. It leaves at 9am in the morning. Disembark at Barangay Anawan and take the jeep going to Burdeos. Another option is to take the Burdeos jeep from the town of Polillo.