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Almost 3,000 riders join summer jamboree.

About a week before the jamboree over 60 leaders from various motorcycle and scooter clubs showed up at Motortrade Cubao for a pre jamboree briefing for those who be marshals during the jamboree rides. Some came from as far as quezon province.

The program was started by lecturer for safety Mr. Val Curamen of MDPPA (Motorcycle Development Program Participant’s Association). Mr. Curamen gave some useful and practical safety tips for the club leaders and handed out group ride hand signals that will be followed during the jamboree.

Mr. Atoy Sta Cruz, Director for membership for the MCPF and Jojo Medina Director for Operations of MCPF & PSF gave out some pointers that the riders should follow and what to do within the 3 days of nonstop bicol jamboree action.

The Bicol Jamboree started on May 6, 2005. The original plan was for all riders from the Manila area to meet at the Luneta Grandstand at 5 a.m. and the take off at 6 a.m. but as arrangements evolved this changed to groups of riders leaving dozens of different locations at around the same time. One of the reasons for the change was that we planned on a member of the first family being at Lunetta to send off the riders but Presidential Son Congressman Mikey Arroyo decided to fly down to Bicol and meet the riders there which was a much better plan.

Lucena City PNP headed by Col. Capa, Lucena City Chief of Police welomed all the Motorcycle Philippines Federation Jamboree deligates at the boundary of Tayabas and Lucena City to give assistance as they passed through at around 9:30 in the morning. While other Lucena City Riders Clubs welcomed the deligates at the Sariaya and Tayabas boundaries on the way to the first gas stop.

The following is a report taken from the forums and is by the MCPF Director for Government Affairs and Southern Luzon, Tope "Mayor Bandido" Flores who was the chief organizer of the event. 

When Joseph and I left for Daet on the morning of the 6th, I was nervous. I did not know what was going to happen. Will the Jamboree be an unqualified success or a big flop? I could only offer a prayer to the Lord, placing everything in his hands. Thy will be done.

We left Guinobatan at 9 am and arrived in Daet at 11. In Daet, we hooked up with other Steel Horses. Joseph Arevalo, Randy Nuez and I were the Albay-based Steel Horses, with Mang Rey, Ferdie Yu, Omar Ong, Roland and 9 other Norte-based Steel Horses. Mariano "Nano" Balane of the X3M Riders was only hand to greet us with his clubmates. They other Norte clubs were still in their assigned areas for the Salubong.

At 2 pm, The MIBs arrived, with Herc leading the pack. Ed Pascual was there with NGK Philippines representative Takashi Nakamura. Next to arrive were James Raterta and the Mad Dog MC. When King and Marvin arrived, I knew that the others wouldn't be far behind. The Chosen Few were already sighted but they wouldn't make their appearance until the next day.

At 4 pm, when the riders from Manila had not yet arrived, I became more nervous. We finally got messages that the riders were now passing Labo, Talisay and Vinzons in groups of more than a hundred.

When the last group arrived at about 6:30 pm, and with King, Jojo, Atoy and motortrade top brass around to help out, I began to breathe a little bit easier. But I was still jittery. We were still only about 650 riders.

Nano and I then made the rounds, asking the Norte clubs to mobilize for the 7th, the following day. The Santa Elena Gatekeepers, X3M Riders, Happy Riders, Two Liners, Talisay RATs, Bow and Arrow Riders, all the Camarines Norte clubs complied, sending promises that more riders will join the following day.

I really don't know how the party went that night as I was so jittery. From the stories, the riders did have a lot of fun. So off I went to dreamland, tortured by the prospect of the following day.

I woke up to a sun lit beach with blue skies. Perfect riding weather. The Lord is truly good.

When I checked my phone, there were 67 messages, most of them from the clubs further south, informing me that they were waiting and assembled at their respective salubong points. Sorsogon riders were taking off, the 6 brave souls of Catanduanes were now in the ferry crossing the Albay Gulf enroute to to join the Albay and Sorsogon clubs at the boundary of Albay and Camarines Sur at 1 pm.

I began to smile. At last I can truly enjoy the event that everyone had worked so hard to to make a reality. The Lord is truly great.
Herc was great in offering his assistance and was a great help during the formation. Compadre, I owe you two. The first for the assistance and second... Oh, you know what the second is. :-) While the arrival in Daet was dominated by motortrade jerseyed riders, the departure from Daet now had a few hundred more riders from Camarines Norte wearing their club jerseys.

With Atoy, Jojo, Joseph, King and I leading the pack, we depart from Daet. It was a slow leisurely ride going through the towns till Basud when Joseph and I broke away from the pack to ensure that the Camarines Sur riders were in their positions.

By this time we already knew that Toto Villanueva and Dencio of MIB had already proceeded to Legazpi to get a glimpse of majestic Mayon. We were also informed that more than 100 big bikers were already sighted in Albay doing the rounds of beaches and bars since the night before.

Nano of the X3M and Sephellen of the RATs were with their clubs and shepherding other riders. Hats off to you guys!
Some riders had left earlier and we caught up with them in the twisties of the Bicol National Park, between Basud and Sipocot. How I admire those underboners and scooteristas! Their skills are unparalleled. The lady riders were truly great! Man! They were ladies with balls! It was unfamiliar virgin territory but they were taking the curves at speeds only a bit lower than us.
In Sipocot, the 2 Sipocot clubs, Sipocot Riders Club and the Sipocot Motorcycle Riders were waiting. The first salubong in Camarines Sur exceeded expectations with close to 200 riders waiting before the town poblacion. The motortrade sponsored riders were also there proud in their jerseys. I wondered, Will the other clubs do the same?

The flatlands with the straights was taken with ease. The Dogs joined us with James Raterta zipping in the straights. Every town I passed had riders in their positions, waving and acknowledging us. Pasacao Forerunners, Libmanan Thunder, San Fernando Power Gear, Libmanan Power Jaguars, Calabanga Motorana.

We hit Naga City. Naga Wings and Naga Storm Riders are massed at the approach of Mabolo Bridge and at the junction of the diversion. I see Manny Yang of the Alliance tending his group. Manny, I salute you! I saw that the Alliance was really prepared. Houndreds of riders in their club jerseys.

The Bicol Steel Horses were massed at our usual hang out and cheered the riders as they passed, giving the courtesy rev up. The Bicharas were there, Anton in his BMW R1150, Vice-Mayor Steve in his HD Heritage Softtail and Fons in his HD Fatboy; Chief of Police Carding Gallardo in his XJR, Col. Arnold Revilla in his R1, Bernard Moyano in his Aprilia Touno; Raul Destura in his R1, Joffrey Peralta in his BMW Mamola; Boy Aguilar in his FZ600 Fazer; Boning Billiones in his CBR600F; Basil Gutierrez in his ZX6RR; Frank Apache in his CBR400RR; Raffy Toledo in his CBR600 F4; Deng Berdin in his VTR and Rommel Aspe in his R1. Joseph Arevalo in his FZR600R Thundercat, who was with me from Daet, decided to stay with the other Steel Horses who decided to sweep the main body from front to end and back.

We finally hit Pili Airport for the arrival of Congressman Mikey Arroyo. Sambalas was already there and so were the Rinconada clubs. Rinconada Trackwolves were present in full force with close to 100 riders. What a sight when the main body arrived! Close to 2000 riders! the airport parking lot was overflowing with more riders parked along the street going to the airport.

The plane with Cong. Mikey Arroyo finally landed. Camarines Sur Governor L-Ray Villafuerte was with him. Jojo, Atoy Sta. Cruz, Councilor Celoy Chan of Legazpi City and I were at the recieving line with top motortrade execs and the mayors of Camarines Sur.

The trikes that Cong. Mikey was supposed to use until Legazpi was unavailable so Cong. Mikey and Gov. L-Ray rode on a pick-up. Cong Mikey gamely made the rounds and had pictures taken with the different clubs.

As we motored down to Iriga City, people all along the route were coming out of their houses into the streets to see the motorcade as it passed by.

In Iriga City, we were met by a band. Stopping at the town plaza for lunch, the numbers still swelled with the addition of more than 100 riders from the Rinconada Pirates. Federation Secretary Rodel Garbin was there in their Yamaha jerseys but most of his clubmates wore their club jerseys.

Lunch was taken in the park and in all corners and overspilling into the streets were the multicolored jerseys, riding jackets and uniforms of the different clubs.

While taking lunch, Cong. Mikey and Gov. L-Ray addressed the riders. Cong. Mikey was very perceptive and spoke of resolving biker woes and problems. He mentioned that he will file in Congress, legislation that would address biker issues and concerns. Finally, a voice that will carry biker issues and a member of the country's first family at that.

Thank you Cong. Mikey for your presence, for your promise to help out bikers and for your being one with us.
Thank you also Bossing Dato for all your support. The Pili Capital Riders of Bob 30_33 and JoeyRR joined up with the main group. Budz and sniper_budz of Power Gear were in their playful best and mixed with the riders.

Jacques and HenryFord with the United Xtreme Isarog Scooter Club had a field day taking shots and footages for ABS-CBN which covered the whole ride. Naga PowerGrip was well represented in their SYM jets.

At 1:30 pm, we ride out of Iriga. The 10 Philippine Suzuki Riders Club (PSRC) boys composed of King, Jonbaq, Akogoku, Bugoi, noel_nash, paulgizer, Milton, 7th_sign, allan and Bien, I took with me to help out manage the formation. Thanks to you all, managing the formation was a breeze.

In Nabua, I see the Nabua Chapter of the Adventurers by the roadside, waving madly, smiles pasted on their faces.
We pass Bato. Again the people are spilling into the streets and just like every town that we pass, fireworks were exploding in the air. Thanks motortrade.

The PSRC guys and I take off for the Albay and Camarines Sur boundary running full speed to alert the Albay, Sorsogon and Catanduanes clubs that the main body was only minutes behind us. When we reach the boundary, Lo and behold! Bikes parked diagonal to the road for more than half a kilometer!

Yes! Albay, Sorsogon and Catanduanes clubs kept their word! Almost 800 riders from the 3 provinces! In a few minutes, the full force of the Bicolano riders will be complete, merging with visiting riders.

The sight of Popong Dugan, MCPF governor of Sorsogon and Arnel Arellano was a great booster. There they were, Sorsogon Road Runners, Casiguran Riders, Bulan Riders, Matnog Riders, Sorsogon Motorists, all smiling, proud in a mixture of jerseys.

As I move down the line, I see Fallado, the tireless MCPF-Bicolandia Director for Operations, Terd Tabuena, MCPF-Bicolandia Director for Motorcycle Sports and Julius Dizon, Burnout MC president and MCPF governor of Albay's 2nd district. Still further I see Pading Romeo Borbe, Gie Madarieta and Councilor Ronnie Realuyo of the Guinobatan Motorcycle Club, my hometown club. Ligao City Riders are in full force led by Boy Villaroman and Uncle Arecio Rendor. Pur-Bik of Vic Laran and Peter Borcelis are there, Sporty Riders of Nepthali are there, Bliztkrieg Riders of Jun Carillo and Backbone are there. Hot Stone Riders of Chris Botor are there. Bicol Riders Legazpi of Boboy Morga and Harley Rañosa were present. Bicol DT was there. Cinemar Riders of Art Rivera and Sonny Razal were there.

As I reach the end of the line, I see my congressman, Cong. Joey Salceda. Guys, he's in a riding jersey! Gov. fernando Gonzales, Vice-Mayor Rico Salazar of Legazpi and Vice-Gov James "Bayan" Calisin with his Albay Motocrossers. Vice-Gov. Bayan was really cool with his long mane proudly displayed.

After Gov. Nando, Gov. L-Ray, Cong. Joey and Cong. Mikey transfered to Cong Joey's vehicle, We proceed.

We enter Polangui to greet Mayor Jess Salceda, Cong Joey's father. Enroute, the Steel Horses pass the front of the main body near the Polangui-Libon junction and inform me that riders are still passing Bato, Camarines Sur. Wow! Bato, Camarines Sur is about 12 kilometers from Polangui!

We leave Polangui and pass by Oas and Ligao. The PSRC boys would like to see Guinobatan so we stop at the junction. Standing at the junction, i could feel the road shaking from the rumble of thousands of motorcycles! Man! Rolling thunder! The approaching riders could be heard a kilometer away!

Yes sir! Bikes in one continuous formation is really a sight to behold! As a townmate of mine put it, Yor' monster ride yan!

By now it was easier to track the ride's progress because Kabalikat Civicom was on hand to monitor the ride in strategic locations. Thanks Kabalikat! Your help was invaluable.

We pass the ride but we don't catch up with the front until we reach Cagsawa Ruins in Daraga. The roads were cleared by the TMG and the local PNP under Col. Roque Ramirez, Albay PNP. He's a biker too. He rode his Yamaha Dragstar from the boundary to Legazpi City. Kudos Colonel!

In Cagsawa, Cong Mikey does the rounds again to meet the Albay, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon and Catanduanes clubs.
As we proceed to Legazpi, the ride splits in two. One group brings Cong Mikey to the Legazpi Airport and another group proceeds to the Pacific Mall grounds.

It was a blessing that the ride split in two. The parking space of the airport would surely have overflowed.
At the airport, I met Nong Rangasa, a friend who had helped invaluably in making arrangements for the Jamboree at the press conference of Cong Mikey.

After the press con, Cong. Mikey waves to the bikers and enplanes for Manila. We then proceed to Pacific Mall and find the parking space filled to capacity! Bikes of all makes are there. Bigbikes, small bikes, dirt bikes, underbones, scooters, china bikes...  I haven't seen such a variety of bikes in such numbers and in one place.

At the mall, I see Elly Manlangit of Nabua's Finest Riders. They are parking their bikes. I can see they are tired but happy.
I make the rounds and all bikers are happy! The first major activity of the MCPF was a success. The Bicolano riders specially were very proud. :-) Indeed, there was cause to rejoice. The Bicolano riders proved that cooperation, amity and dialogue will do wonders. The differences were forgotten, club rivalry was set aside. Standing united, the Bicolano riders are truly Oragon!

Familiar faces reassure me. Hugs and high fives are exchanged. All bikers have high morale. After all the blood, tears and sweat shed to to make the Jamboree a reality, everything is good.

I see Cecille Gamboa, the mall manager, we exchange pleasantries and I thank her in behalf of the MCPF, Nong Rangasa too.
I meet Albert of Tayabense Riders and we're happy that we made it. MGee and Rico were at the party. Thanks guys! You made it in time. Mayor Rosal came late but was loudly applauded for his support for the Jamboree.

Before I forget, on behalf of MCPF and MCPF-Bicolandia we would like to extend our warmest appreciation and gratitude to all those who contributed in one way or another towards the success of the Jamboree.

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