BIKE AND BEYOND Philippines

Been A While And Back (... some vampires still? Hope not)

2012-11-05T11:15:00.000+08:00

November 3, right after All Saints' and All Souls' Day Ahlie and I decided to pedal once again on the city streets. With people still in the provinces for the holidays the streets are awsomely better. Fewer cars and less pollution, just perfect to do the most awaited.

Mr. White and Ms. Red so eagerly waiting to roll out once again.

Meeting some bike friends along the way (err... on motorcycle :) Buddy and Azon (Ahlie's cousin)

Dusk is always gorgeous!

Dusk is always gorgeous with Ahlie!

Palm beauties.

Every Nation (Victory Christian Fellowship) building, our church in Fort Bonifacio.

Sorry, no Mercato... only drills at the soccer field.

Always misty at The Grove Rockwell in Pasig.

The facade of the residential complex is indeed a head turner! The Grove Rockwell rocks!

Stopping by Razon's at Tiendesitas for some cool treat of halo-halo.

Razon's of Guagua never fails to magnet our appetite. Cheers!

Just glad to do it again, finally.

Mr. White and Ms. Red can't be any happier!

This is it! The famous tandem. (halo-halo and pancit luglug)

Glad they provided a table and chairs outside so we can dine with our bikes.

Bike And Beyond rolling back after Halloween. We hope there will be no more vampires around, lol!

November 4, the recovery ride.

Bagong Ilog from Sta. Rosa bridge.

Cool Christmas air so nice on the bridge.

Hello night ride once again (at least for the two of us for now).

Buying some pandesal for our kids' breakfast tomorrow.

Tiendesitas at night. Padyak Trails For Hope revisited.

Never thought we can wear this again on purpose.

From The Four Corners of the World (to the Mangyan Tribe)

2012-06-12T06:33:00.000+08:00

May 3, 2012 -A group of foreign missionaries have visited our mission field in Mindoro once again. This time it was MV Logos Hope, a ship operated by the German Christian charitable organization organisation GBA Ships e.V (Gute Bücher für Alle, English: Good Books for All), that sent us two groups namely the Global Challenge Mission Team and the Communication Team (media).

THE MV LOGOS HOPE OF GBA SHIPS MINISTRY

I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’

Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. ”

Isaiah 43:6-8

Our tribal mission exposure program was blessed to host these gifted and wonderful people who came from the four corners of the globe. Just imagine them gathering in one small tribe in a small island in a small country in Asia, how amazing indeed! The mission team trained and have ministered to the Iraya-Mangyan tribe and the Tagalogs of Paluan in Occidental Mindoro for 3 straight weeks. The communication team stayed in the tribe for 1 week only to work and complete their documentation on the tribal mission ministry we have there. But their short stay did not prevent them from doing what they really do best -minister to the people.

The Mission Team was led by Enrique Martinez (Ecuador) and his team members are Jay Yoo (South Korea), Chris Philip (United Arab Emirates), Bethany McGookin (Northern Ireland) and Sol Rivas (Ecuador). While the Communication Team was composed of Augustine Park (South Korea), Rowell Galarido (Philippines) and Marlene Park (South Africa).

We were also joined for the first time by Ahlie's colleague in the university, Joy Santillan. In our local DFCM Team we had me and my wife Ahlie, Marlene Teodoro, Bong Suarez, Janet Tababa and our lovely kids Francis Erl and Eanda Franciel. Once we got to Mindoro we were joined by our local counterparts who has been working with us in the mission for many years. They were Datu (Rolly) and Patchie, Zai, Kim, Ptr. Jay-ar Torreliza, Ptra. Jane and Toto Poblete, Ptra. Che and Nilo Palasan, Micha, Jonas and Kristine, together with the workers of the local churches.

People say a picture paints a thousand words, but all these pictures can tell you more! Hope you'll enjoy them and be blessed.

"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called ; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Ephesians 4:1-6

TO GOD ALONE BE ALL THE GLORY!

A Family Visit To GCF-Pasig

2012-04-27T01:35:00.004+08:00

April 22, after our series of mission travels our family finally got the chance to attend a church in Manila. This time it was through the invitation of one of our mission staff, our DFCM Secretary to be precise, Jhen Santos. The invitation was actually a week overdue already as their church inaugurated their newly constructed building in Bambang, Pasig City. The name of their church is Gospel of Christ Fellowship-Pasig (GCF Pasig). If I got it right the fellowship started back in May 1, 2009 as a Bible Study group which was held regularly at the house of Jhen's uncle, Jerry Librea (or Bro. Boy as we call him). The young group was comprised of only 15 people from within the vicinity and was discipled by Pastor Andy Villaluz who is also from the same place. By God's grace and favor the group has grown in size and maturity and has become the herald of Good News and a channel of blessings in this locality, a full grown church. They have conducted ministries not only within the group but also reached out to the community just like to the students of the elementary school to name a few.

Today, by God's overflowing goodness a church building was raised and built in a vacant lot right in front of Kapitolyo Homes, just a few steps from our house. Last April 15 in their inauguration worship service we happened to be out working on the tribal mission so we missed attending it. My family regularly attends Victory Christian Fellowship in Fort Bonifacio and our kids, Cid, Erl and Eanda are already happily growing with us in that church, but it was also a pure joy to visit and worship with this church.

The congregation is fairly small compared to the congregation we belong to, yet one thing you will appreciate about churches like this is the "family" atmosphere, so intimate, so loving. It brings me back to the memory lane of our old community church just across the Pasig River. People here in this kind of church knows each other well and it is almost impossible to miss a smile or shake a hand. And as a pastor I used to handle churches like of this size in the past and I am sure that this is the kind or size I am very comfortable with. It is so easy to connect to people, so easy to reach and touch lives, shepherding is not so complicated -just a happy and caring place. So homey!

If I may say, this church is also blessed to have Jhen who has a big heart for the kids. Back in the old community church she was just one of those little kids me and Ahlie were shepherding (I was the Kid's Pastor and Ahlie was the Kid's Ministry Superintendent then), through the years we saw her grow up in stature with the Lord and has become one of the children ministry teachers. When we were called for missions she joined us and became a missionary teacher to the Mangyan kids in Mindoro too. That Sunday our hearts were filled with joy as we saw her lead the children to the altar for a prayer of dedication, we saw in her the legacy of our passion for little children. We know a church with strong kids and youth ministry is a growing church while a church giving less importance to them is a dying church. As Jesus said:

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Matthew 19:14

"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 18:3

The message was delivered by no other than Pastor Andy Villaluz. He preaches from the book of Ephesians, in chapter six verse twelve it says: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." His timely message gave emphasis on barking at the wrong tree and I believe everyone got a piece of spiritual learning from it. To this powerful message I say "AMEN".

Right after hearing God's message for us there was an altar call. At that moment Pastor Andy's wife, Sis. Aida, approached me and asked me to assist the pastor. I am so glad to be given an opportunity to minister in their church in spite of being there just for the first time. So I jumped in and do the things needed in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was a moment of power -of God's power as everyone who came forward was blessed and moved by the Holy Spirit.

By the end of the service I was also requested to give a Word and do the benediction. I can't help but to remember this old feeling. I've been out in the mission field for so many years and it has been long since I stood in a church like this in my own place. Of course through the years I stood to preach and teach in churches of different sizes in different places, but for a time being ...not in my own place.

That Sunday was an awesome experience with God and His people. We are truly grateful to Him and to GCF-Pasig, to Pastor Andy and Sis. Aida, to Bro. Boy and Ate Malou, Jhen and Anthony, and to the whole congregation for the warm brotherly welcome.

We pray that the Lord will continue His marvelous works in this place, in this flock. May this church stand strong and be the salt and light in our community just the way God wants them to be. And may the Name of the Lord be glorified through them now and until the coming of the day. All praises be unto His Name!

"...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Philippians 1:6

Gospel of Christ Fellowship Schedule of Activities:

Morning Devotion: Monday to Saturday 7:00am.

Prayer Meeting every Wednesday 7:30pm.

Discipleship Group every Saturday 7:00pm.

Kids' Service every 1st Sunday of the month 3:00pm.

Worship Service every Sunday 9:30am.

June 24

More updates...

Is It Easy To Forget?

2012-04-26T12:51:00.000+08:00

By Pastor Ernie Catanghal

As a missionary to the tribes here in the Philippines I have experienced a lot of travelling on land, on air and on sea. I have been doing this for almost a decade and a half now, and travelling only on sunny days is not my privilege. Being called by God to "go" and do His work as for me means most of the time to do what needs to be done, where it is needed to be done and when it is needed to be done. There is no luxury of choosing but rather plain obedience and dedicated service.

In doing so I have been through a lot of rough and tough times, and to share one of them it was when going through the borders of China Sea on a small boat getting caught in an ugly storm. This one unforgettable experience happened while I was trying to bring in some food and medical supplies to a place where the people of the tribes were perishing because of the continuous beating of heavy rains and strong winds for weeks. These people were part of the groups I've been reaching out in my missionary work. The Iraya-Mangyans of Mindoro. Well, it's not about the mission work or the Mangyans that I am going to talk about this time but about my experience on that 12 feet long wooden boat.

When I stepped on this "small" fisherman's boat all I remembered was the four inch clearance of the top edge of the boat from the surface of the troubled water. It was not because of my weight that caused the boat to sink that low but because when the boatman together with some locals helped me load a few sacks of rice, a sack of sugar, a sack of dried fish, some boxes of canned sardines, some bags of used clothing and several boxes of medicine. Right at the shore it was calm, or there was a window of calmness in the sea and we thought we will get just enough time to cross over with all these heavy baggage aboard.

To get the picture there was a storm, there were dying people desperately in need in the other side of the island, I got the supplies they need, and the only way to get to the place is by boat. Normally, no one goes out to the sea in this kind of harsh weather condition. But there was only one fisherman in the town who was crazy enough or should I say desperate enough to earn some money by taking me there to that storm-beaten side up north.

At first it seemed like any ordinary boat ride and I even cared to pull out my camera for some shots. When all of the sudden the wind have shifted speed and direction, the sky grew very dim and everything suddenly changed, from calm to worse and escalating to worst. I have been in the sea with this kind of condition on a large ship but not on a tiny and overloaded boat. I have to admit it was one of the scariest moment of my life. With my heart pounding so hard even with the noise of those huge waves beating the sides of our boat and splashing all over us from all directions it wasn't enough to hide the beating sound of my chest. Then somewhere more than half of the way our boat developed a leak from the side and down beneath, water slowly filling up! Oh, I couldn't be scarier more! Yet from a distance an enormous shadow suddenly casted on us, at first I thought it was a whale but no it was not! It was like a wall, growing bigger and everything that surrounded us in that very moment turned to shade of gray. It was a huge wave in a size I can't tell, just huge. And it was right in front of the boat about to capsize everything and I knew it will be just be in a blink of an eye.

The only word I was able to utter at that very moment was "LORD!" Then something flashed before me, like a silver screen in a movie house suddenly rolled down and like a movie I saw a scene of a boat of almost the same size being beaten and battered by the waves in the darkness of the night, with men inside so scared just like me and as they panicked knowing not what to do a man from one end stood up and raised his arms heavenward. And the ghastly winds and corkscrewing waves just like breath calmed down. It was a vision of a story from the Bible.

Jesus Calms the Storm

Mark 4:35-40

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

This event took place just after Jesus went so busy teaching, preaching, performing great miracles upon miracles right before his disciples' eyes. Multitudes followed the Master because of these things and the disciples where not separated from the awesome sight, as a matter of fact they were in the front row every time. Now who could say they have missed a thing of wonder?

Yet just few ticks from those events they all went aboard with their Master on this small boat and somewhere the disciples found themselves deeply troubled by the winds and waves, it was a fierce storm as the bible have said. They were all rattled, totally soaked and shaken. Fear has entered the abode of their hearts and mind while the Master resting peacefully on one end of the same boat.

Was it easy to forget?

Did these fresh facts totally slipped out of their minds? Have they forgotten of their master? Or him being on the same boat? Or those amazing things he just performed few hours back? Have they easily lost the truth they found in him? Have their hearts gone capsized by those waves? And they bothered the master in the middle of his peaceful rest, and questioned him if he do care.

The rest is history. The master on that boat was their Lord and Savior and so do mine!

Going back to what happened on my boat, it was just on time as we have pulled ashore before the boat totally sink. How about the supplies? It was the Master's hand that scooped them out and pushed them to the shore. Nothing was lost for the Master was calm and true, and as much as He has done for His disciples same thing He has done for me, and also for you.

Today as I continue the work of the Lord I am being threatened by winds of persecution, waves of affliction, storms of insufficiency. But should I easily forget? Should I doubt?

My Master is always aboard and whenever He raises His hands heavenward I know miracles do happen. Today, as I write this blog Jesus raised his saving hands again, and His hands came in the form of some people who selflessly came to the rescue. Thank you Lord Jesus for sending Raul, Lani, Marga and Darwin! Lord, You know Your hands well and I know you will bless them for being so.

Jesus is never early nor late, He never fails! He have done it before, He has done it today and He will do it forever. Trust in Him! That I will never forget.

_______________________________

Another good blog reading below:

Channels And Vessels

Fulfilling God's Promises

Sun And Rain For Everyone

LOVE IS THE GREATEST

and more, please visit us at:

Bike And Beyond Philippines

Fulfilling God's Promises

2012-04-24T09:43:00.002+08:00

I - The Journey

II - Our Building Project Update

III - A Birthday Ride and Afternoon Delight

IV - Homeward Bound

The Journey

It has been a week after week traveling we have been doing for the mission work, Ahlie and I once again have packed our stuff for another one this week. We truly thank the Lord for giving us loving, responsible and very diligent children leaving them at home was never a problem. But there were times they also go with us to let them understand and learn the things we do in the tribes, the life of love, faith and service. Since it's summer vacation once again Cid, Erl and Eanda will stay with us next month in the tribes for three weeks.

After fixing all the thing at home for our kids and the dogs we left for a week of stay again in Mindoro to manage our mission center/orphanage building project which is about 80-85% done. The entire travel from Pasig to Paluan, Occidental Mindoro normally takes 8 to 8 1/2 hours and since it's always more comfortable for us to travel at night we left around 9:30pm so we can make it for the 2:00am Roro (ferry) Trip.

Upon reaching the Buendia Bus Terminal Ahlie dropped by a fast food store to buy a couple of tuna pie for our snack while we wait for our Roro trip schedule at the port terminal.

Upon reaching Batangas Port which was at that moment very clear from the usual jam-packed crowds we proceeded to the ticketing booth to secure for the 2:00am schedule.

A ticket today for a Roro bound to Abra De Ilog is 260 pesos per person plus a mandatory terminal fee of 30 pesos which is reasonable enough since the terminal facilities here in the south had improved a lot from their security system, the passengers lobby, comfort rooms and all the way to the boarding gates and docks.

Around 5:00am we safely docked at the port of Abra De Ilog and with no time wasted we looked for a shuttle service that will take us up north. This time there were no trip bound all the way straight to the town of Paluan, only a trip to Mamburao was available so we were committed to look for a transfer vehicle once we reach the middle town.

In Mamburao it was difficult to find a shuttle service that heads up north since very few people move in and out of the last town in the northern tip. The only way we can get there is to hire a tricycle which is very uncomfortable and a bit more expensive for us, but who had a choice? It was still a blessing there was a tricycle willing to drive us through those mountains and bumpy roads.

After a dusty, jaw-shaking, back-breaking, err... am I getting too excited or exaggerated? Well, to get to the point it was just time for breakfast when we saw ate Marlyn excitedly waiting for us at the front door of the mission center. It was a good trip! Thank you Lord for your travelling mercies! Once again we were headed for the big days ahead.

-----------------------

Our Building Project Update

There are a lot of times when words are not enough and a Chinese proverb once said "one picture is worth ten thousand words" so as much as possible I will try to let the pictures here do most of the talking. Here's the collection of the most recent pictures of our building construction. The Lord is faithfully providing for our needs.

The roofing for the kitchen at the back of the building was suppose to be made of "pawid" (nipa) but God has intended something more durable. We have upgraded the materials to iron sheets.

Even Ahlie is all-hands on the project, well that's very literal in this picture. We were trying to be handy in every way we can to expedite the process. By using heavy wooden floor tamper we help prepare this last remaining portion of the floor for concreting.

The building is slowly taking its detailed form from the inside. For now what is left to be prayed for are the windows (jalousy), the 2 flush doors for the kitchen and service bathroom door, the bedroom partition walls, some plastering of walls, the electrical service connection and we are good to move in.

We know the rest will be provided by God in His time.

-----------------------

A Birthday Ride and Afternoon Delight

April 18, I woke up in the middle of my life. It was just yesterday when I was on my 30's but now I have crossed over to another decade ahead. I am really grateful to God for giving me a wonderful life for the past decade, all but memories now and I can say God has been so good to me. Today I celebrate as I enter the next frontier of my life with my Lord, my family and my ministry. As usual my birthday falls in time when I am busy at the tribal mission and the people who will celebrate it with me is no other than my wife, my fellow mission workers and the Mangyan tribes as usual.

I woke up a little bit late that day since I was full handed during the previous days in the construction. I had a quiet time with God and when I got off the bed and headed towards the kitchen there I found Ahlie and ate Marlyn very busy preparing pansit (noodles) for the Mangyans of Agdilao tribe. The plan is to have my birthday party there with them. On the table I also found some party toys and clothes to be given to the Mangyan children once we get there. As we have packed everything in our bike baskets we all suit up and pedaled our way to Agdilao.

When we reached their place at the foot of the mountain nobody was around, not even their dogs. They all went up on the summit of Mt. Calavite to do "kaingin", a slash and burn crude way of farming. So we just went back to the town and came back later in the day for the feeding program. Unfortunately, it was our camera batteries that was out this time so we can't share to you the fun we had with them in the tribes that day.

On our last afternoon in Paluan, just before we head back home to Manila Ahlie and I decided to do a short ride around the place just to unwind a little. Proudly sharing to you again the splendor of this place.

How about a bike and horse race? Ahlie just passed by a lose horse along the road and I was egging her to challenge this native horse for a sprint. Well, of course you know what happened next. The horse refused because he just had enough dust for lunch and he can't afford more from Ahlie's bike tracks and that he can't just stand the shame hahaha!

Before reaching town we passed by an old Mangyan couple from San Pablo who happened to be resting after a day's work in the farm, they are Nanay Lydia and Tatay Carding. We stopped by as they have waved at us and had a very pleasant pep talk with them while being back-dropped by the glimmering sea and the red fading sun.

It was always an awesome sight and encouragement to find souls along the way with so much stories to tell, specially from a Mangyan couple like them who have went trough all the toughness of life in the mountain. Very few people reach that age in their tribes, though no one really had an idea how old they are, not even them but only their Creator. For we have found God's faithfulness in their lives, and we were reminded that there's nothing we should be worried about because what God has done in them why can't He do it for us. As we turned our back and ride our bikes we felt so much blessed by these two wonderful people. The day after that we brought them some clothes and supplies as our way of saying "thank you and God bless you more".

-----------------------

Homeward Bound

Oh how time flies so fast! A week has once again passed but we can strongly feel how big God was during this week, He was totally awesome! God's glory was in the place and we have just all immersed in it.

After wrapping up all the job accomplished and the things needed to be done we left that night of April 20. Since there was no van available again we just hired a tricycle to take us this time all the way from Paluan to Abra De Ilog. Another tough ride in the darkness of the night. Along the way somehwere in the dusky mountains between Mamburao and Abra De Ilog we suffered a busted tire. It was good the driver was ready with a spare inner tube and tire pump to get it fixed. Ahlie is used to this kind of travel as she always wear around her neck her head lamp in case of emergencies and it came in handy in fixing that tire. It was also a blessing it happened on a paved portion of the road and not on the dirt road where things can get a lot messy.

We were able to reach the port just in time before the Roro left for Batangas, thank God the flat tire did not cause us to miss the 10:30pm trip or else we will be waiting for another 3 1/2 hours for the next trip schedule.

April 21, 2:00am, we were back to mainland in Batangas. Just a bus ride and were back to Manila. From the Roro we walked straight to the bus terminal inside the port and took a ride bound to Cubao. After more than a couple of hours we touched down at Megamall in Mandaluyong City. It was just before dawn and were both tired and hungry so we just had a quick light breakfast before reaching home and seeing our kids and dogs again.

This is just another chapter of a victorious mission trip in Mindoro and we give all the glory to God! Thank you for following our blogs and hope you are enjoying the trips with us as we bike and beyond!

-----------------------

For more readings in our blog:

Sunny Side Up In Paluan (Part 1)
Sunny Side Up In Paluan (Part 2)
AGDILAO: A New Horizon For Christ
A Ride To The Land Of "Truth and Fulfilled Promises"
A Bike Ride From Pasig To Pagudpud of Ilocos Norte For The Mangyan Tribes
Bike and Beyond in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

and more...

Bike and Gallery

2012-04-12T16:49:00.001+08:00

We've Got Mail!

2012-04-10T21:32:00.003+08:00

Father's Love Letter

An Intimate Message From God To You.

My Child,

You may not know me,

but I know everything about you.

Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.

Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.

Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.

Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.

Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.

Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.

Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.

Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.

Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,

for all your days are written in my book.

Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth

and where you would live.

Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.

Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.

Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented

by those who don't know me.

John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,

but am the complete expression of love.

1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.

1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child

and I am your Father.

1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.

Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.

Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.

James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.

Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.

Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless

as the sand on the seashore.

Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.

Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.

Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you

with all my heart and all my soul.

Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.

Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,

you will find me.

Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you

the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.

Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you

than you could possibly imagine.

Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you

in all your troubles.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,

I am close to you.

Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,

I have carried you close to my heart.

Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away

every tear from your eyes.

Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain

you have suffered on this earth.

Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you

even as I love my son, Jesus.

John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.

John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.

Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,

not against you.

Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression

of my love for you.

1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved

that I might gain your love.

Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,

you receive me.

1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you

from my love again.

Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party

heaven has ever seen.

Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,

and will always be Father.

Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…

Will you be my child?

John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.

Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad

Almighty God

Father's Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications

To watch a video of this love letter kindly check out the link below:

The Father's Love Letter (HQ Video) -Youtube

You might also enjoy seeing other blogs of Bike and Beyond:

Sunny Side Up In Paluan

A Ride To The Land Of "Truth and Fulfilled Promises"

Bike and Beyond in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

AGDILAO: A New Horizon For Christ

Sun And Rain For Everyone

BIKE AND BEYOND on Ahlie's Birthday

A Bike Ride From Pasig To Pagudpud of Ilocos Norte For The Mangyan Tribes

Sunny Side Up In Paluan (Part 2)

2012-04-07T16:09:00.002+08:00

The journey continues...

April 1, Sunday, very early in the morning I spent time with God as I seek guidance for His Word to be shared to His people. There in the stillness of my soul He lead me to His fountain of wisdom found in the story of three amazing people of the Bible. We were blessed as we dwelt on the Scripture from 2 Timothy 4:11, "Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you. Because he is helpful to me in my ministry."

The message is about Paul's painful truth and HONESTY, Mark's humility in ACCEPTANCE and Barnabas' encouragements and COMFORT. We were all spiritually energized by God's powerful message that morning. The Holy Spirit has moved and ministered in our midst as the people worshiped and thank the Lord.

After the Worship Service we spent visiting houses sharing more of God's love through counseling and prayers. It was an awesome day with our awesome God as it passed so swiftly with all the things we have accomplished in His name.

April 2, Monday, the day started early as usual with His Word and a hearty breakfast prepared by ate Marlyn and nanay Patchie. It's the start of the holidays in the city but not here for the work of the Lord must be done. We were all prepared to go to Agdilao tribe as the program for this day was spearheaded by Ahlie herself. The group will reach out to them in their new location bringing God's love through His Word, with some food and medicine supplies.

Later in the day I went to the construction site again to supervise the work. The newly installed column and beam in the dining hall area are cured already and is ready for carrying additional loads like the hallow blocks and trusses. Pastor JR and I also went to Mamburao on a motor bike to buy all the needed electrical materials, few pieces of floor tiles for the bathroom and a toilet bowl. Then we loaded them all on a passenger truck bound to Paluan and have it delivered for a fee. Back at the mission center the electrician started lay-outing the receptacles on the wall in preparation for the wall finishing.

We were also visited by our good friend Sandy from Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) who is also very excited about the building project. He is one of the locals who is very supportive to our mission work with the Mangyan tribes.

Later in the evening our team went to a wake service in barangay Marikit for a sister in the Lord. It was very dark when we ride home on our bikes, it's good we have built in head lamps on them which is powered by a dynamo when engaged contact on the front wheel, big help!

April 3, Tuesday, just right after dawn Ahlie suggested to spin around the farm lands of Maduron for a quicky exercise before another big day. Before when I was still into regular running this route is one of my favorites. It is very quiet in here and has scenic view of the mountain ranges mixed with local farmers working while the farm animals are gazing around. The route includes some steel and old wooden bridges over natural streams and irrigation pathways. The loop ends up in "barangay uno" which is a long paved road along the shores.

After a good morning spin we went straight to the construction site where we found the workers very early in their job. A lot of work needed to be done this day because there's only two days left before they take a long holiday rest.

We ordered additional materials like Portland cement, good lumber for trusses and ceiling joists, both rough and fine sand, PVC pipes just among others. Pastor JR is doing hands-on this time on the installation of the trusses. We have hired two extra laborers for finishing masonry, and an electrician who will lay-out the wiring. The work must be done fast before the month of April ends because we need to move out of our currently rented building and we need this place ready for occupancy by that time.

We have gone way beyond our projected budget and and we are already short of funds because of so much adjustment being done on the actual construction process. But we know God will provide through ways yet we cannot see.

Extra! Extra!
Penitensya or Public Penance is an age long tradition here in the Philippines which was brought about by the Spanish Catholics who invaded our land long time ago. This gruesome tradition is being observed by some Catholics every Lenten season or holy week. It is said that people do these self-infliction acts for the belief that their sins will be forgiven, wishes will be granted or illnesses will be healed. There are different forms of practices they do in different places like carrying of the cross, actual crucifixion, inflicting wounds and whipping of bodies, walking a long way under the heat of the sun barefooted or on knees, etc. All these practices has been discouraged by churches including the Catholic church itself because it is found to be "unnecessary" and "non-biblical". Still these taboo observance of Lenten season has been a tourist attraction in the country.

In Paluan the most common practice is by inflicting wounds on their backs using razor blades then whipping them using an improvised whip made of nylon chord with strips of wood or bamboo attached at the tip. Then they would walk around for a day (or days) barefooted. Some would cover their face with cloth and banana leaves while others would just expose their faces as they do it.

In this mission trip the last itinerary that we need to accomplish is to visit Hinugasan Tribe to meet our KKP scholars and their families there, and to visit the tribe elders specially Tatay Pedring who is very dear to us and the oldest among them. We intended to travel by our service motor boat and just load our bicycles so we can bike on the way back to the mission center. Since we moved kind of late already we will then be needing to sleep over Datu's place in the mountain since the walk up there will be long and steep as usual.

We have loaded our backpacks with clothes, food supply for dinner and breakfast, a pair of two-way radio, flashlights, and other utilities needed in the mountain. We also brought Tatay Pedring a simple present, his favorite milk which he normally calls as "puti".

As usual we staged for a while in Pastora Jane's place just to regroup and check if we have everything we needed with us. It was quite late and we need to catch up with the remaining daylight as much as we can, so we got moving fast. It's going to be a long dusty climb to Hinugasan and for sure we will be reaching the place in darkness.

Along the way I was able to spot a gecko which was stunned by the very strong light coming from my flashlight. Gecko is an exotic tropical reptile with a very unique loud vocalization or sound. It was rumored that this specie of lizard is being sought after by some scientists for cure of cancer and that geckos that can pass the size requirements can be very expensive. Well, I am not sure about that and even if I have seen a lot of gecko in the mountains but I am not interested. First, because I don't want to harm these endangered species. Second, the government said it was illegal to catch them. Third, I haven't seen any proof that these creature can be a cure for cancer and haven't seen or heard of a successful sales deal made. So, enough with my gecko talk and just proceed with the climb, hahaha!

When we reached Datu's hut it was kind of late and everyone was already tired and very hungry so the

ladies rushed preparing "ginataang kalabasa" and fried "daing" (dried fish) for dinner, yummy! Everyone was happy and satisfied with what we had. Now once your very tired and had your stomach full the next thing you will think of is bed. It was already late and the day after this must start early as usual so no need to explain things, we just cleaned up and changed our clothes, had a little group devotion and the day has been concluded.

April 4, Wednesday, we were all greeted by the awesome beauty of the mountain. It was always like that in the morning, so glorious and so blissful! Fresh air with scent of hay, late noise of the crickets, rooster's early crowing, birds chirping, farm animals making their own morning melodies... so amusing, so amazing!

We are in the middle of the mountain and there are no mornings such as this. A perfect place to contemplate on God's Word and feel His presence in every creature around. Soul nourishing indeed!

For breakfast nanay Patchie slaughtered one of her native chickens while Ahlie and ate Marlyn prepared the ingredients for "tinola". Tinola is best defined by wikipedia as a soup-based dish served as an appetizer or main entrée in the Philippines. Traditionally, this dish is cooked with chicken, wedges of green papaya, and chili pepper leaves or Bird's eye chili leaves in broth flavored with ginger, onions and fish sauce. A common variant substitutes pork for chicken, chayote instead of papaya, or moringa leaves known as marungay or malunggay or "kamunggay" (in Cebuano), instead of pepper leaves. However, an all-vegetable broth in Cebu with 'kamunggay' in prominence is called "utan kamunggay" or "utan bisayâ".

After we had a quick breakfast we set off to Hinugasan Tribe to visit the Mangyan villagers. Hinugasan belongs to the Iraya group of Mangyans, they are one of the established tribal communities in Paluan. I started my mission work here in this place and has serve these people for years. But before I came to this place the people were under the Seventh Day Adventist mission program. But due to some conflicts between the Adventists and the tribe they were abandoned for more than a year before I arrived. We were able to establish the ministry there and was able to help a lot of families, but somewhere along our ministry the Adventists decided to comeback and reclaim their rights to the tribe. We soon just gave way since we found their means and strategies kind of offensive to us. But there are people in the tribe who are still connected with our mission, those people whose lives were somehow touched by our ministry, Tatay Pedring is just one of them.

The minority school was first established here by the Adventists, but when they abandoned the tribe their school operation stopped too. When I came to the place one of the programs we focused with is their para-schooling for the children. Time came when the local Dep-Ed people noticed what we have been doing and saw that the children are very interested with schooling so they brought their extension program to this tribe. Today the Adventist resumes their school operation and Dep-Ed also is building a concrete classroom there, and we are somehow happy with this because at the end of the day the Mangyan kids are the ones who would benefit. We were able to meet our goal as we also met the families of our three KKP scholars from the place.

Before we left the tribe one family handed us a "langka" (ripe jack fruit) and some bananas. When we returned to Datu's hut we sliced open the langka and and had it for snack. A Mangyan farmer also gave us a liter of fresh carabao's milk. Also, I was able to buy a gallon of pure wild honey from a Mangyan for Php500.00 only which we have taken with us back to Manila.

We now head for Pamutusin, time to wave Hinugasan goodbye. It was an awesome experience as ever and Hinugasan never failed to bless our souls. Our group will have to descend fast since it's almost noontime and it's getting hotter and we still have a long way back to the town.

Back in the mission center Ahlie and I just had enough time to take a bath and pack our things before we hit the road back to Manila. It was Maundy Thursday and we were informed late that there was a chance if we move a little bit later then we will be stuck in Paluan for the rest of the week because we heard passenger vans and jeepneys will stop traveling to Abra De Ilog Pier starting in the afternoon of that day until Easter Sunday. We got to rush because it was only a blessing that there's a truck of onions bound to the pier that is moving out and we are allowed to squeeze in just to get there. We can't miss it.

Upon reaching Abra De Ilog the port was already almost empty. Everybody's coming to the provinces at this time and very few are moving out. So when the Roro ship which was jam packed arrived and have unloaded on the way back to Batanggas Pier there were very few passengers with us. And it was also the same with the Bus bound to Cubao, very few passengers and the road traffic was very light. This is the advantage of travelling on a Lenten season, it's just a matter of timing.

We were home safely by God's travelling mercy around 11:00pm. It was indeed a victorious trip for both of us. We were able to accomplish so many thing in just a matter of one week. Now that we're back in Manila it is necessary for us to continue the cause of the mission. The DFCM building project needs to be completed in time and we know for sure that God has already prompted people to bear with us the burden, the calling, and the challenge.

“Success is not a place at which one arrives but rather the spirit with which one undertakes and continues the journey.”

-Alex Noble

Our God is an awesome God and He never fails!
Thank you Lord for the golden privilege of serving You.

To go back to Part 1 just click the link below:

Sunny Side Up In Paluan (part 1)

For another good blog on Mindoro Tribal Missions you can click and read:

A Ride To The Land Of "Truth And promises"

Sunny Side Up In Paluan (Part 1)

2012-04-07T01:20:00.001+08:00

“The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same.

Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.”

-Don Williams Jr.

March 29, Thursday, at around 10:20pm Ahlie and I boarded the JAM Transit bus at Buendia Terminal bounded to Batangas City Pier. We are set to another trip to Paluan in Occidental Mindoro which is part of our missionary work. Being a tribal missionary one should have a good balance of obedience to God, affection towards people and a strong sense of adventure. In this blog let me take you there.

The travel via bus from Bunedia to Batnagas Pier normally take two and a half hours at night when traffic is light and around three to three and a half hours on day time depending on traffic condition in the SLEX and along the national highway in Laguna and Batangas. The fare cost on an air-conditioned bus like this is Php166.50. But the travel time can be an hour shorter when riding a private vehicle, it will only take you an hour and a half on a fair speed and light to moderate traffic.

March 30, Friday, 1:00am, upon reaching Batangas Port we proceed to the ticketing booth. Our destination is Abra De Ilog which is via Roro, this trip costs only Php260.00 per passenger. After securing our tickets we proceeded to Terminal 2 where we will be waiting for an hour for our scheduled departure. Before entering the facility we paid the terminal fee of Php30.00 for each of us then we passed through the x-ray scanning machine together with our baggage.

Five minutes before 2:00am the monitor speaker sounded and advised us to proceed to the boarding dock of Montengro Shipping Line's MV Maria Zenaida. This particular ship has been a regular on this route for quite a time already so we are very familiar with it. For safe and orderly boarding the cargo vehicles like trucks, buses and cars normally load first on the ship then the pedestrian passengers follow. Depending on the amount of load and passengers there will be a five to fifteen minutes grace period for late passengers before the ship leaves the dock, after which the late comers will have to board the next ship schedule which will come few hours after the missed trip .

It was the week before the Lenten Season, one of the mostly observed holidays in the country and we really tried to beat the heavy influx of passengers coming home to their provinces. During long holidays the front of the port is landscaped with overcrowded restless passengers coming from all directions, long lines to the ticketing booth and terminal gates stretches all the way to the "Park and Sail" lot. Inside the terminal it will be an SRO like (standing room only) and the temperature will for sure rise. Traveling three days before "Holy Monday" is indeed a big advantage to avoid this stressful condition.

Inside the ship since there was still light amount of passengers so we were able to enjoy the luxury of free benches where we can sit back, relax and read books, and even take a power nap. With His travelling mercies the sea was very calm that night that we were able to reach Abra De Ilog port in no time.

Immediately we proceeded to the shuttle service terminal outside the port to secure a van that will take us straight to Paluan. The first half of the total travel distance on van is from the Abra De Ilog to Mamburao and is around 32 kilometers on paved and relatively flat road, while the remaining half is around 30 kilometers from Mamburao to Paluan which will pass through mountains on dirt roads.

Normally the public transportation available in the port area is only to is Mamburao or southbound to places like Sablayan and San Jose in Occidental Mindoro. Praise God there was one van that is headed straight to Paluan and there is no need to stage by the town of Mamburao anymore. There were only two seats left when we found it that seemed to be purposely waiting and has reserved those seats for us, thank you Lord for your awesome provision! We were able to save precious time, money and energy.

Travelling to Mindoro by night is our regular routine and riding through this bumpy and dusty road to Paluan at the break of dawn is a usual thing but we never fail to enjoy the beautiful scenery around as it slowly take its form and colors with the gleam of the rising sun.

Just before 7:00am we reached our mission center with our beloved fellow workers excitedly waiting for us and a breakfast set on the table. It is always a delight for us to be with the great servants of the Lord in this place! Datu (Rolly Zambales), who just turned 64 last March 28 never fails to give me an overflowing joy whenever I see his face, he has been serving God with me in the tribes for the past 13 years. Another delight to us is the presence of ate Marlyn, who herself is indeed a great woman of the Lord, who is also serving as a missionary for 3 years now for the tribes. She is a big blessing to our Mangyan children as she plays the role of a loving mother to them in our mission center.

As soon as we have unloaded our things we headed straight to the dining table for our zesty breakfast. It was fried fish and salted eggs matched with vinegar with garlic plus tomatoes and onion salad.

Immediately after breakfast we just change our clothes to prepare for one of our KKP Scholars' recognition day, Megalyn Robles, is a freshman who by God's grace finished 8th in her class. It is truly a great joy and honor to attend ceremonies like these and witness how these Mangyan kids are being recognized as top achievers. Likewise the faculty and other students were very proud how our KKP Scholars are doing. This is made possible first and foremost because of God, secondly because of the perseverance of our kids, and of course with the steadfast guidance of their house mother.

Job well done kids, job well done ate Marlyn, congratulations and Glory to God!

Right after the ceremony we headed to the town's flea market to celebrate the kids' achievements. Along the way we met two of our mission workers, Pastora Jane and her husband Toto so we invited them to join us for a little refreshment.

When we got back to the mission center some Mangyans were already waiting for me. They came from far places and some even from the opposite side of Mt. Calavite, they traveled because they heard I am coming over and they want to apply for KKP scholarship for the next school year. After the interviews and agreements we have come up with two new scholars for June.

Ahlie and I were able to bring with us some small presents for our staff and kids and we gladly distributed those to them. We are always very happy to see their smile every time we share tokens and gifts like these.

In the afternoon we brought out our service bikes to survey on the condition of the Mangyans of Agdilao. Along the way we met some of them who were on the way back to their village. They came from a days work in an onion farm. We had a few chat with them, handed some food and drinks and asked them to inform the rest of the tribe to expect our visit in a day or two.

Before the first day ended we dropped by the construction site of our mission center to meet Pastor JR Torreliza and make an initial inspection. There we met him and his wife Racquel just before dinner time. It was almost dark yet we were able to see the big developments on the structure and Pastor JR excitedly showed us the work being done.

March 31, Saturday, it is going to be another big day for all of us. As we will be preparing salaries for the construction workers and buy more building materials needed for the days to come, I will also have to attend to some details of the project and monitor the work personally this time. Afterwards Ahlie, Datu and I will be visiting our brethren in Pamutusin on bike.

Around 9:30am we pedaled away to Sitio Pamutusin in Brgy. Harison, a very remote community in the northern side of the town. Before the only way to get there is by motor boat via China Sea but thank God today a road has connected this small community to the town. Currently it is still a dirt road and it passes through farms lands, rice fields and mountains side, some portions are even along the shore that provides a very scenic travel experience.

Along the way we were glad to be able to pass by some friendly farmers working on their freshly harvested onions, one of the major crops in the place. They were busy cutting off the leaves from the bulbs to prepare it for shipping to the market, but not to busy for some pictorial.

Just to give you an idea this bike ride is from easy cruising to moderate climbing on the mountain, this is a surely "can-do" ride even for newbies. As you have noticed we are just using our surplus bikes which are single speed (meaning no extra gears) and are purely made of steel so it is kind of heavy to pedal specially in the uphill portions. But that has not been a problem for us since pushing our bikes up is just part of the fun and adventure. The breathtaking view of the distant mountains, the farms below and China Sea is just so much refreshing and entertaining that one will hardly noticed the distance.

Now for mountain bikers using sophisticated light weight bikes complete with suspensions and gears the ride is a piece of cake and blissful! Along the road there are also plenty of trails interconnected that can give a biker an "extra" of trail fun and adventure.

We reached Sitio Pamutusin around 11:00am and we headed straight to Datu's place to meet his wife Nanay Patchie and their family. When we arrived everyone's busy preparing for the upcoming wedding of one of Datu's daughters, Jenelyn. She used to stay with us in Pasig and we have helped her finish highschool and take up few years in college.

Ate Marlyn, Zyrene and Kim were already there when we arrived. They got ahead of us since they left the mission center earlier and they used our motor boat by the sea which definitely covers a shorter distance than us travelling by land that goes all the way around the mountain.

Riding till almost noon time during summer requires a lot of drink to replenish the body well. We brought one liter of drinking water in this ride and we just consumed every drop just right before we touched down. After a hot morning ride a treat of unlimited fresh and juicy watermelon is truly a paradise!

My missionary work in this town in this northern tip of the island all started here in this small corner of this small community, Pamutusin. This place has been my staging point on my way to Hinugasan Tribe which is a few kilometers up on the mountains. I began as a total stranger but turned out to be a family to these people. Datu and Nanay Patchie, Pastora Jane and Toto, the church and the community has played a very essential role in my ministry here.

The barangay hall of Harrison is situated here in Sitio Pamutusin because majority of the Tagalog population of the community is settling here. Around the place are small clusters of houses in the mountains and bay area, while the rest of the communities in this barangay are the minorities, they are the Mangyans.

We have our own service motor boat which is being maintained by Datu. It is also used to fish for their families, for our KKP scholars, for the mission workers. It has also been very useful to us specially in transporting people, relief goods and supplies for the mission from the town to Hinugasan Tribe.

Sitio Pamutusin is a remote and tranquil Tagalog community between Mount Calavite and China Sea, the people are mainly farmers and fishermen so it will give anyone an idea the kind of lifestyle they have here. They are simple, peace loving and hard working which is very typical in a place like this. This is one of the places I have tasted the best seafood, they are always fresh from the catch and are cooked naturally over fire. They produce rice during season that is just enough for their families due to limited farmland areas at the base of the mountain so during off season they buy rice or trade fishes for it in the town. Like Datu some of the families got few livestock that help them feed their families or sometimes even help them with their other basic needs and even send their kids to school.

One thing that affects progress in this community is the lack of power supply. And in our so-called "space age" these community here still doesn't have electricity. They just depend merely on small automotive batteries which are being charged on a solar panel for Php25.00, this is owned and operated by the barangay. The batteries are used to power their energy saver lamps and transistor radios.

Right after we had our lunch together at Pastora Jane's place we then decided to hang around on the fish cage which was being maintained by Toto's brother. The structure is just around a kilometer away from the shore.

In each "cell" of this cage they have different fish specie and the most common is the salt water bangus or milkfish. The water at this point is already very deep and is very good for breeding fishes. Since the morning ride was too hot I decided to cool down and take a plunge just right outside the cages, and with the use of a divers mask which is I just borrowed from the cage operator I enjoyed viewing those colorful tropical fishes just below me. If only I have an underwater camera then I can share the marvelous sight of them.

The rest of the group took their turn when we returned to the shore, well perhaps they also love the sand in the beach than just plain sea water.

It was rare occasion to have siesta like this in the beach with our mission team. We had an early dinner afterwards and we truly enjoyed our fresh catch, Pastora Jane made them "sinigang" and some were grilled.

Our plan is to get back to town on our bikes within the same day, because it is Sunday the day after and I am invited in the church to exhort on God's Word in the morning and prepare food and medicines for our Agdilao visit on Monday. With no time wasted immediately we packed our things and ride off back to our mission center. We reached the town at around 6:45pm, and it was a super dooper day indeed!

The journey continues on part 2, just click on the link below:

Sunny Side Up In Paluan (part 2)

Maryden Learning School: A Decade of Steadfast Stewardship

2012-03-27T22:58:00.001+08:00

By Ernie Catanghal

March 24, 2012

Maryden Learning School of San Pablo, Laguna is owned and managed by our friends Reden and Jinky Urmatan. They have started this business in 2002 after Jinky, who was my former colleague in a private school in Manila, resigned and decided to follow God's new direction down south. Jinky's passion for teaching small kids has found a new home in their own hand-built school that specializes on preparatory level. Through those years we have witnessed how the Lord flourished their school ministry and how it has made a strong impact in the community.

During that time I too was already resigned from being part of the administration of our school and was doing full time in pursuing my calling as a pastor/missionary to the tribes. Though we have parted ways our relationship with each other has grown stronger than ever as me and Ahlie has committed supporting their school in prayers and every time they would need us we would come over to aid in any way we can.

One thing I was doing for them is that I have been their guest speaker in their school's moving-up and graduation ceremonies. Out of ten years I just can't remember enough how many times I have stood in their ceremonies but Jinky's sister, Maricris, just told us this year is the seventh time. Is that right guys?

One of the greatest gift this amazing couple has received from the Lord for their years of faithfulness is their hija de promesa, my beautiful inaanak, Yza. It seems like it was just yesterday when I was speaking for their graduation ceremony and this little girl was lying down in her trolley with an infant feeding bottle in her hand. And now look at her! She's already a part of the moving-up ceremony and was even the fluent scripture reader. Now I know what these gray strands on my head means... oh, how time flies so fast!

The graduation theme was the same as ever which was taken form the school's verse, Proverbs 22:6. It says "Train up a child in the way he should go. And when he is old he will not depart from it." This time I gave emphasis on the importance of proper training, and the trainers which are the teachers, the parents and the guardians who took the center stage of my message. For an illustration I used the story of Manny Pacquiao and Coach Freddie Roach. Both the children and the adults were captured with so much enthusiasm by the story I shared. Who would be not interested with the story of our "Pambansang Kamao"?

We are always happy to see the achievers, the pride and the living legacy of the school, they are the former pupils who never forgotten to look back and take part in their school's moving-up ceremonies. This year Sherlyn Mae Estrellado, a part of the first batch of graduates and now graduating in high school lead the ceremony.

There were 24 pupils for this school year. Maryden Learning School is always maintaining this small number of kids every year to maintain their high standard of teaching and provide each kid the best learning experience.

The "Address To The Graduates" was delivered by the very fluent Danna Chrysabel C. David, the Preparatory Level first honor. One thing the school is proud of is that no pupil have left their school without being able to read and write proficiently.

The ceremony started and ended very orderly just like as ever before. Small crowd, very intimate, very family! Me and my wife, Ahlie, are always honored to have a part in Maryden Learning School be it in the part of praying or speaking on occasions like this. We are forever grateful to you Reden and Jinky for the opportunity to share our lives to your school ministry. May the good Lord bless you more of your hearts' desires!

Sun And Rain For Everyone

2012-03-26T21:46:00.002+08:00

Who haven't passed through darkness? We all do, as much as we have enjoyed the light. Life is a journey on a bowl of salad, it's a mixture of everything and it's best eaten together. We cannot choose what we like for life is full of surprises. Sometimes we get what we feel we deserve but sometimes we feel like somebody up there is sleeping and things down here are falling on wrong places. Sometimes we would grumble about on things happening on us while doing what we believe is right, and for seeing others flourish with their iniquities.

Often times when we are troubled and battered we ask, "Why Lord?" or "Why me?". These questions has brought us doubt, animosity or feeling of injustice which made us lose our grip and start wondering if God is really cares.

"In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike."

Matthew 5:45

For those who walked in the truth and yet are hurting this verse has become a bile to the suffering soul. But this verse written by Apostle Matthew shows the kind of love God has for us. It is not a feeling based on emotion but rather on will, it is Agape. This kind of love is not self-seeking or self-serving, this is a sacrificial kind of love, deliberate and divine. God's love is never selective for He offered and sacrificed His very best for all of us.

The good news is no matter how we feel God is the same yesterday, today and forever. His Words has been established from the very beginning of time and it has not forgotten any single thought or concern in your life. His love is freely offered to all of us and is merciful, but it does not say His love would be oblivious to justice.

The book of Psalms has clearly showed a picture of how a righteous feel about his sufferings while evil prosper. But it also provides God's truth on the matter, and this truth will be revealed on time and no one can escape it.

The Psalms of Asaph (לְאָסָף) are the twelve psalms numbered 50 and 73 – 83 of the Book of Psalms. The Asaphite priests had a pre-exilic role to provide musically-based or induced prophecy, and a post-exilic role singing praise to God.

PSALM 73

A Psalm Of Asaph.

1 Surely God is good to Israel,

to those who are pure in heart.

2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;

I had nearly lost my foothold.

3 For I envied the arrogant

when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4 They have no struggles;

their bodies are healthy and strong.[a]

5 They are free from common human burdens;

they are not plagued by human ills.

6 Therefore pride is their necklace;

they clothe themselves with violence.

7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity[b];

their evil imaginations have no limits.

8 They scoff, and speak with malice;

with arrogance they threaten oppression.

9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven,

and their tongues take possession of the earth.

10 Therefore their people turn to them

and drink up waters in abundance.[c]

11 They say, “How would God know?

Does the Most High know anything?”

12 This is what the wicked are like—

always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.

13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure

and have washed my hands in innocence.

14 All day long I have been afflicted,

and every morning brings new punishments.

15 If I had spoken out like that,

I would have betrayed your children.

16 When I tried to understand all this,

it troubled me deeply

17 till I entered the sanctuary of God;

then I understood their final destiny.

18 Surely you place them on slippery ground;

you cast them down to ruin.

19 How suddenly are they destroyed,

completely swept away by terrors!

20 They are like a dream when one awakes;

when you arise, Lord,

you will despise them as fantasies.

21 When my heart was grieved

and my spirit embittered,

22 I was senseless and ignorant;

I was a brute beast before you.

23 Yet I am always with you;

you hold me by my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel,

and afterward you will take me into glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?

And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart

and my portion forever.

27 Those who are far from you will perish;

you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

28 But as for me, it is good to be near God.

I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;

I will tell of all your deeds.

Cast all your cares to God, be at peace and rest in Him. He knows well of our tears, heartaches and sufferings. Our name is written on His hands and He takes care of our today and tomorrow. Let's give everything to Him for our God is pure and just.

Bike and Beyond with Friends in the Academe

2012-03-21T20:48:00.007+08:00

by Ahlie Catanghal

For what I am now is not because of me and myself alone. I am forever humbled by those "winds beneath my wings" and to them I will always offer what I have been, what I am and what I will become. I am forever grateful first and foremost to my Master Potter for molding me and loving me unconditionally, to you my God will I offer all that I am. God has also favored my life with a very supportive parents who have made nights into day just to send me to school and finish college. I can still hear the echoes of their words of wisdom that has kept me strong and steady through my schooling years. Salamat po itay at inay, my heart will always beat for you.

And to my best friend forever, my mentor, my partner for life, my husband I thank you. You have continued what my parents have started in me. If not for you I will not be in the position where I am right now, for you have helped me become a licensed professional and earn more degrees. I'm amazed for all the love, the sacrifices, all the wisdom and the unwavering support you have given me.

Through the years of my career I am also embraced by people whom i consider as flowers in God's beautiful garden. They have made my life sweeter and more colorful! For me every encounter is a window to a new horizon, a new opportunity to experience life's beauty and God's wonderful plan. These people are my true friends in church and communities who shared with me the wonder of learning through life while having fun. Also, there are my colleagues and students in the universities I have been with, in the hospitals and communities I have served. Thank you for making the work place better and more meaningful, I owe you all the joy and laughter that kept me strong and steady.

Just a way to cherish our precious moments together please allow me to share this memory lane with you.

More pictures to follow...

Dakilang Maylikha

2012-03-16T10:12:00.002+08:00

Dakilang Maylikha

Lyricist: Gary Granada

Composer: Gary Granada

Arranger: Mel Villena

Dakilang Maylikha

Sa kalinga’t pang-unawa

Mangyari ang iyong diwa

Sa langit at sa lupa

Bigyan mo ng sapat

Ang lahat sa araw-araw

Turuang magparaya

Gaya ng iyong gawa

Iadya nyo kami

Sa pagmamataas

Upang maiwaksi

Ang lupit at dahas

At samahang lumikha

Ng pamayanang payapa

Sa kalikasan, kabuhayan

Kakanyaha’t paniniwala

Siya nawa, siya nawa

Siya nawa siya nawa

Channels And Vessels

2012-03-15T22:57:00.000+08:00

By Ernie Catanghal

I believe all of us have experienced God's goodness and somehow we have received that goodness through His channels or those who we call as vessels of God's goodness. In one way or another we have also been that carrier to other lives and it was indeed a privilege to be called and to be chosen to play such a noble role.

"The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. This they did, sending their help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea."

Acts 11:29

From the very beginning the early Christian Church who were moved and empowered by the spirit of God has learned how to open their eyes, their minds and their hands. Each one understood the deeper meaning of being a "koinonia" or community in Christ. The true Christian community was founded on a life-long commitment that has no difference to a blood family relationship. Christ made the brotherhood stronger for in Him the connection doesn't start and stop on our earthly bodies' existence but rather it flows throughout eternity in God's kingdom. Being part of the koinonia one brother will do things to others what he would normally do to his blood brothers, which is not bounded by time, activities, affiliation or origin. A brother will treat the fellow brethren as his very own just like a father and children or a brother to brother relationship. The koinonia has really practiced their being one in mind and one in their heart, there was no mine and no yours but only ours.

"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. "

Acts 4:32-35

But things have changed when the definition of this community was reformed by time. Christian communities are obviously standing strong and are actively growing in number but if we will carefully observe these communities somehow has displayed a difference from where it all started. Brethren today still experience being one in faith but has bounded themselves by affiliation, availability and willingness. The brethren are private once again.

But there are some who are still observing the beauty of the fist koinonia for they have shared to the brethren just as like to their own family. They have shown strong interest and intense desire to relieve the needs of others who ever they may be. Regardless of capacity they have given selflessly and sacrificially. For some have pulled out their resources, some have given time, and some have rendered service to anyone who is heavily burdened.

"And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you see that you also excel in this grace of giving."

2 Corinthians 8:1-7

They have given out in humility and unconditionally because of the spirit of being one in the Body of Christ and in observation of His law. Not out of comfort or excess but giving from the abundance of their heart. They have given in all forms without holding back to ease the burden and not to transform the burden, they have give out of pure love.

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Galatians 6:2

"As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Luke 21:1-4

Every kindness done will be rewarded either in heaven or on earth. Jesus Christ has guided all of us accordingly so that our deeds will not be in vain. He wanted us to remain pure even in the act of benefaction. Time may have redefined koinonia but there are brothers and sisters who still remain pure and zealous to its true form. They have embraced the Body of Christ not to display passion but to do what is right. Unavowed they have endowed.

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Matthew 6:1-4

I write not because I have received from you. I write because there are channels and vessels of God's goodness to those who are in most need. I write because in silence you have done what was good and right and that you will not speak of that kindness. I write not to make announcements of you and your deeds but I write to honor you. And I speak more basks of blessings be unto you today as you have given away unconditionally and without reservation. As you have freely received you also freely give, and what your left hand has done your right hand have known not. To you who have given out sacrificially like the widow who walked in the temple, may God forget you not. I pray that may in the presence of the Almighty your name will be honored and in His kingdom your deeds be declared throughout eternity.

The koinonia in Christ lives on because there are channels and vessels of God's goodness among us!

Is There Christmas In Mt. Calavite?

2012-03-12T12:39:00.000+08:00

"Paskong Mangyan" (The Mangyan Christmas)

Ever since we have found the Iraya-Mangyans of Agdilao we felt the passion of knowing them and their ways and discovering how we can help them. Other than their nomadic lifestyle one thing that have struck us the most is their animistic belief and practices, very typical with our indigents.

Animism is a word taken from "anima" which means soul or life. This belief is about the co-existence of the physical and the spiritual world. It is believed that there is a soul in every creature, not only in humans but also like in trees, rocks, rivers, air, etc. This belief can be found in different forms like that in Paganism, Neopaganism, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc. For the Mangyans they don't have any idea what others believe but all they know is that "a god" or "gods" can be created from almost anything if only one starts worshiping it or them. With this belief they tend to ways or practices that has made their condition more miserable.

Through the years of our ministry with these people we have taught and shared them new things that have helped them improve their living and have addressed some of the perennial problems happening in the tribe. The greatest thing we have shared to them that has brought true strength in times of hardships, true hope in times of trials and sufferings, and true courage in the face of adversaries is the relationship with God found in Jesus Christ our Lord. Since then things somehow changed for the better if not for the best. Since then the people have started to develop faith in them as they started to grow deeper into their personal relationship with God.

Among the great things they learned is that there's a loving Father in heaven who knows them by name, also there were stories and lessons they have heard that they cherished the most. To name a few are the story of how God delivered Israel from Egypt by passing through the Red Sea, the story of a stedfast Job, the story of courage in Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and so many more. But not to forget one story that truly stood-out in them is the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ into this world through a virgin birth, the true Christmas story.

Along those great Bible stories is the understanding how great God's love is for us and how we experience that love in our day to day life. We also have shown them how God uses His servants as His visible hands on earth. We reach them and serve them because we are God's love in action. That is what "PASKONG MANGYAN" is to us.

Just to share how we celebrate God's love...

The Preparation Stage
(Part 1) Founded in the Word and strengthened by prayers.

The Preparation Stage

(Part 2) Gathering the gifts for the "Koinonia" or the community. One big challenge is not with the sorting and repacking but on where to get enough boxes and how to transport them from the town to the mountains.

Putting God first before anything. "He calls His sheep by name, and he leads them out." John 10:3

The formidable footpath to Mount Calavite.

Approaching the serene community of Agdilao in the middle of the mountain.

Setting up the place for the most awaited day of the year. Ahlie has been doing this for years now and she's always grateful for the people who works with her unconditionally.

Everyone's in for a big surprise, their favorite rice toppings... sardines!

This is not a special day thing for us for this has been a part of our routine. Training the Mangyans with proper hygiene is one of the best ways to fight disease. We have been doing this regularly as we also provide them fresh clothes to wear.

We also monitor the progress of our work on the children's health. We regularly get their BMI (Body Mass Index) to see if our efforts are enough to eradicate undernourishment. Periodically we do deworming and provide the kids with vaccines and supplements.

We don't have the white bearded Santa here but we are sure we got presents for everyone, with their names specifically written on each package.

Mangyans can be happy too! Serving them for years has thought them many things, like how to have fun together as a family.

Afternoon delight. Our kids got hungry from running, jumping, playing and dancing around. It's noodle soup time! (Still with sardines in it.)

A few more gifts to go for the late comers. In Agdilao we try our very best to have something for everyone.

We may not have fancy lights and decors, we may not have pine trees and singing of carols, we may not have the glamorous celebration of the city, but we are sure we understand the true meaning of Christmas here in Mt. Calavite.

"The Lord inhabits the praises of His people." Psalm 22:3

This is our way of praising God, by serving our brothers and sisters in the mountains.

A Perfect Ride Day In Jala-jala Via Buruwisan

2012-03-10T10:16:00.000+08:00

January 23, 2012
Back tracking, sharing these photo collection of our unplanned ride with some of our friends to Jala-jala, Rizal. It was a holiday and a long weekend, yet Ahlie and I have no plans for anything. Ahlie was busy the whole week and I was sick lately when an invitation from our friends Franz, Ferdie and Jing, Jeffrey and Shirley came. They wanted a ride, even just an easy one and they want it different from the typical city rides the group does during week-day night rides. They wanted a ride that needs no planning. No hassle, no pressure and no limits. So they thought of going somewhere not so far like the towns of Rizal, just anywhere nearby.

Ferdie generously offered to bring his truck so the group can just load up the bikes coming from Pasig and just start riding them once we are in a less polluted and less traffic zone in Rizal. The idea was good for us since I am still recovering and not that fit yet to do usual long rides, and Ahlie barely got some saddle time lately. Also, the good thing about riding with ladies is that there will be slower pace and there will be expected plenty of rest stops.

Along the way one of our friends, Jeffrey, who has a place in Siniloan Laguna suggested that we just go straight to their place where we can safely park the truck then we can bike to Jala-jala which is adjacent to their town. Everybody agreed to the idea and in no time we were unloading our bikes in this surprisingly amazing place.

The blessed Siniloan, Laguna which is about 84 kilometers from Manila is a cradle to a series of magnificent waterfalls along Sierra Madre mountain ranges. To name the five popular ones are the Buruwisan Falls, the Batya-batya Falls, the Lanzones Falls, the Majayjay Falls and Taytay Falls.

This place is a regular destination for professional and neophyte mountaineers, light backpackers, day trekkers, horseback riders and some bikers too. It is well loved for its densely populated forest that shelters a network of trails ranging in different levels. The water here is freshly crystal clear and cold, you will have the hard time to plunge into the water for the first time but once you're there it is difficult to come out because it is very refreshing.

With proper fastening all our 6 bikes fitted in the truck well.

Jeffrey de Guzman is a mountaineer and his parents owns this piece of property in Buruwisan.

Looks familiar?

After setting up our bikes we had a moment of prayer and some briefing. The group decided to do a 30 kilometer out to Jala-jala then turn around to give us 60 kilometers of total ride.

We see to it that we pray before every ride. Nothing beats God's protection.

Starting to ride out!

Ahlie was greeted by a local farmer on a horse.

To reach Jeffrey's place you have to pass through a stream.

Over the bridge, everyone's sky high for this ride.

There is a long steep descent going inside Buruwisan, but on going out it will be a climb. The ladies found it wiser to walk and push on the way out.

Not very far from where we started we met another biker along the highway, a true biker for life! She is Nanay Conching, 67 years old. Behind her bike she carries a box for her newly harvested vegetables. Ahlie had a very meaningful pep talk with her while the rest of us amusingly watch her pedal with ease in such a fair speed.

Along the way we have passed by a field with rice stalks. Jing was so delighted to see for the first time these fresh grains still attached to the stem. So we stopped by for some picture taking, while Franz and Shirley had fun playing on the rice paddy. Rice fields never fails to remind me of my childhood days and its always refreshing to look at.

Is that Mr. Scarecrow? He doesn't look scary, he's funny!

One more unforgettable encounter along the road. As we stopped by a store to have some cold drinks we saw Tatay Rogelio who is a decade older than Nanay Conching, he is 77 years old. Really amazing! He is very smart and still very active with cycling. Another thing that caught our attention is his bike that has a small sidecar which Tatay Rogelio built himself. It was highly accessorized in spite of its size and it was accented by a rooster in front, something that speaks of his favorite pastime, cockfighting.

The day is getting hotter towards noontime and we decided to stop by a big mango tree along the road to catch some shade. Not very long we heard a familiar sound, it was the jingling of a popular ice cream cart bicycle, what a perfect treat in this time of day. How about that, an instant ice cream party! If there's still something lacking maybe the multi-colored balloons.

Let's Volt In!!!

Finally, somewhere in the middle of that long flat bay road of Jala-jala our distance registered to 30 kilometers. Because everyone was enjoying we all hardly noticed the distance. But even if the girls still got fresh legs we need to stick to our plan of turning around. It was 12:50 pm and our lunch is waiting for us in Buruwisan so we need to speed up a little or we will be starving on the way back.

On the way back we find it more challenging not because our legs were tired but because we were going against a very strong headwinds and crosswinds. It caused us more rest stops and gave us a longer time to get back to Buruwisan. But it only made our ride more fun as we enjoy the scenery better with our slower pace.

Break time again. It realy helps to rehydrate regularly during day rides like this.

An awesome view of a church on the hill along Siniloan - Jalajala Road.

Before touching down we dropped by a fruit stand in Famy to buy a watermelon that Ahlie has been craving about from the very start of our ride. It was a blessing to have carriers or racks mounted on your bike, in situations like this it will not be a problem how to carry big stuff like this. Ahlie had a better idea and suggested to cut watermelon int halves and we divide the load.

Care for some watermelon? Ahlie was so eager to get one of these huge watermelons along the highway.

We got the lucky one!

Now, we have to divide and load up. A half on Ahlie's carrier...

...and the other half on mine.

Almost there, the final stretch! Everyone's seems getting a second wind as the pedaling gets a lot faster nearing the last turn to Buruwisan. But the truth is it was because of our lunch long waiting for us.

Ahlie before re-entering Buruwisan.

Ferdie doing a steam crossing while Franz carefully watched.

Jing is all smile when she reached the stream again on the way back. Congrats Jing for the big ride today!

We touched down by 4pm with the exact distance of 60 kilometers. What a very precise reading for an unplanned ride. The table was all set when we arrived courtesy of Jeffrey and his mom, and the watermelon was also enticing so all of us dived into the table, said a prayer of thanksgiving and in no time the only thing left on the table are empty plates. We also had some fresh buko (coconut) treat.

It's watermelon time! We are so happy because we got a really sweet and juicy one.

Munch, munch, munch! What a well-deserved feast.

Extra treat to rehydrate, fresh buko (coconut) for us.

It's time to cool down, we had a chance too to have a taste of the famous crystal clear waters of Buruwisan. A perfect way of refreshing our bodies from the hot day ride before heading back home. This unplanned ride was really a blast!

Woaah! It's shivery in here. But why is it Franz doesn't seem to bother?

Jeffrey and Shirley's baby Ziv, very used to the cold water of Buruwisan.

What a wonderful day for all of us! No plans, yet wonderful!

Thank you Ferdie and Jing Alvaran, Jeffrey and Shirley De Guzman (with Ziv), and Franz Geronimo for the wonderful experience. Rides with not much planning yet awesome. More rides like this to us!

Proverbs 16: in the Bible says, "We make the plans, but God has the last word."
It is always better to let God's plan work in our lives because He is never wrong and He never fails!

A Ride To The Land Of "Truth and Fulfilled Promises"

2012-03-09T22:05:00.000+08:00

"For it is by grace that you are saved, through faith; and that not from yourselves, it is the gift of God: Not by works, so that no one can boast."

Ephesians 2:8-9

March 4, about nine in the evening Ahlie and I left for Mindoro. It was a trip to visit the mission field we have started and have been working on with for 13 years now. This is Drops of Faith Christian Missions (DFCM), the tribal mission ministry to the Iraya-Mangyans of Occidental, Mindoro. Our ministry which I have founded is an independent work and is never connected to any other organizations except that we partner with local churches within the area of our operations and we also host guests from other foreign mission organizations as we provide them with some ministry exposure to the tribes.

Our operation includes feeding program, medical missions, para-schooling, small scale livelihood programs, scholarship grants to selected Mangyan children, orphanage and we also provide other ministry helps to the local churches specially on evangelism.

THE DEPARTURE

Ahlie and I were able to avail of the door-to-door service van that will pick us up from our house in Pasig City and will bring us all the way to our mission center in Mindoro. Fare cost for this kind of service is 900 pesos per person. It's a bit pricey than commuting via cab-bus-ferry-van mode which would cost only around 830 pesos, but considering the hassle of transferring from one vehicle to the next, the risk of missing the ferry schedule and the long walk from the port terminal to the ferry dock (specially if you're carrying heavy luggages with you) this door-to-door service is a lot practical in many ways.

Our intention is to catch the 2:00 am "Ro-Ro" (short for "roll on/roll off ferry) trip schedule from Port of Batangas to Port of Abra De Ilog in Occidental Mindoro. After the long stretch along the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and the Star Tollway we safely arrived at the Batangas City around 11:30 pm. giving us an hour and a half to wait for the Ro-Ro to arrive, it was our chance to catch some power nap before the sea voyage.

Once the ferry arrived their crew handed us the travel manifest and Ahlie printed our names and basic info's there. It is very important whenever one travels on a sea vessel to fill up this official passenger list. Travel manifest or transport document serves as a tally-sheet, and gives a detailed summary of all bills of landing issued by the carrier for a particular voyage of a particular vessel or vehicle. With the vessel or vehicle carries passengers, it lists the names, port of embarkation, port of disembarkation, etc., primarily for use by the immigration authorities.

It normally takes three hours to cross over to Abra De Ilog on a Ro-Ro, sometimes during a stormy weather it would even take more than four hours. During this trip the water was so calm so it only took us less than three hours so before 5:00 am. we were able to dock on the island.

Once our service van rolled off the ferry we were on for an 80 kilometers dusty ride along the shores of South China Sea passing by Mamburao, the capital municipality of Occidental Mindoro, before reaching the last town at the northern tip of the island, a 4th class municipality in the province -the town of Paluan. This agricultural town is straddled by rolling to steep mountain ranges under the majestic shadow of Mount Calavite, a former forest reservation for the rare and famous Mindoro Tamaraws (Bubalus Mindorensis) or the Mindoro Dwarf Buffalo.

THE ARRIVAL

Ever since we have established our mission operation there in the mountains of Calavite we always secure a base camp in the lowlands within the town. By renting old houses and warehouses through those years we were able to house our mission workers, our Mangyan orphans and KKP Scholars. It also served as staging point for travelers who would be coming from the remotest places in the mountains. It is also being used as our safe storage for our supplies. Being a neutral ground in this small town with many churches it is also recognized as a gathering place for the different church ministers in the Paluan. As we provide training and exposure trips to other mission groups it also provides housing for our occasional guest both from local and foreign missions.

Today, the renting has ended, we are all excited to settle down in our very own DFCM Mission Center and Orphanage. The Lord is faithful and true to His promises!

DAY 1

March 5, upon reaching the place we were welcomed at the doorstep by our ever loving and very committed mission staff, Marlyn Teodoro. Mam Marlyn, as she was known by the Mangyans, has been with us for four years now and is also a very dear family to us. At first, Marlyn came to Paluan just to visit and have a vacation. Then she encountered the Mangyans when we brought her with our mission team to the mountains, and that's the beginning of an amazing historia de amor. She have shared so much labor of love to these people as she have served them like her own without reservation. Today, as she has been established by God as a missionary her special role is the house mother for our Mangyan kids in the center and also as a para-teacher to the tribes.

Next to meet are the people who have been with me for the longest time, Datu (Rolly) and Nanay Patchie. This couple has been working with me in the tribes since 1999 and has never left my side whenever I am ministering to the Mangyans. Since our trip this time was unannounced, a few minutes after we have arrived, the couple walked in the mission center and was totally surprised. Nanay Patchie has always been very emotional every time I would come over, it's funny she has never outgrown that reaction. She always break into tears and hug me very tight and it will take a while before she would release me. What a motherly love!

We also arrived just in time to catch up with our Mangyan scholars before they left for school. These kids are the beneficiaries of our Kalingang Kapatid Program (KKP). They are all from the mountains who were found to have the capacity to undergo formal education and has the potential of bringing hope to their tribes one day. This time we only met five of them namely Magelyn (1st yr. highschool), May (grade 6), Lisa (grade 2), Ledesma (1st yr. highschool) and Marita (grade 4). The rest of our scholars are still attending school activities in another place at the moment (Hinugasan), and they did not expect our coming so they were not able to come over to meet us, we just missed them so much.

We also brought some supplies with us in this trip like food, medicine and some clothes. The supplies were with us in the door-to-door service and right after the van has alighted all the passengers they came back to drop the boxes in our center. Shipping boxes to our mission center has always been a very expensive process. For this occasion they charged us 250 pesos for the small boxes (2pcs), 500 pesos for the medium sized boxes (2 pcs) and a hefty 1,000 pesos for the big "balik bayan" box. Just for those five boxes we already spent 2,500 pesos (not included yet is our 1,800 pesos fare).

After freshening up ourselves together we went for a ride to Pastor Artemio "JR" Torreliza, the chairman of the ministerial organization in the town. He has been working with us in the tribal mission since 2005. Right in front of his house is a small parcel of land which we just acquired and it is where our new mission center will soon arise.

After some inspection in the place and vital discussion about the project we headed back to the mission center to have our "brunch". Marlyn prepared some fish and squid as our menu for the entire day.

Our picture gallery in our pin board on the wall shows some of our past scholars who have already graduated in high school and are taking up college now in Mamburao, while some of them are those who have graduated in elementary and are now in high school.

Below is Lisa, one of the daughters of our Mangyan ministry workers in the mountain, Elmer and Sheila. After the devastating super-typhoon Ondoy in 2009 almost every child in their tribe died, Lisa is just one of the very few who was blessed to see this day. If you will look carefully at our poster behind her she is that little child at far left, she was very young then and had a very short hair that we have mistaken her for a boy. The picture in the poster was when these group of Mangyan kids were getting a bath time with us in the river, that was when we just found out what she really was.

Once a Mangyan child is brought to our center they were granted an outright second home and motherly care by our mission staffs. If they are in poor health condition we take care of all their medical and nutritional needs until such time they are fit to go back to their communities. And if the child is an orphan or have been separated from their families in the mountains we will take care of them until such time we find at least a distant relative to assume responsibility on them.

It is a great blessing to have a co-worker and a true inspiration in Teacher Gloria, a full-blooded Mangyan who once dreamed and have worked hard to become a good teacher. She then finished school with flying colors and now became a well respected faculty member in Paluan Central School (high school). She is well appreciated for always extending special care and assistance to our Mangyan scholars whenever they are in school, what a wonderful lady she is.

After the horseback era, biking is the next common and basic mode of transportation in Paluan. Surplus bikes from Japan are very useful here for its cheaper price, simplicity and dependable parts. This kind of bike is specifically designed for utility purpose with its front basket and rear bike rack that provides the capacity to carry things with ease, and it also have fenders and chain guard to keep the rider tidy even during wet and muddy season. Plus it has an attached dynamo powered headlamp that makes this bike usable even at night.

My 13 year old mission buddy: A surplus bike from Japan.

When I first came to Mindoro in 1999 I was blessed to buy my first bike there. Before, you can get a bike like this for only 1,250 pesos each. I got mine that has been my buddy for 13 years now. It never failed me in moving around the town and even visiting the tribes situated at the foot of Mount Calavite. That bike is still in active service as Datu Rolly is still riding it regularly. Got plenty of dings and dents all over but still working perfectly, a very durable and dependable bike!

Our mission's second bike, also faring out well!

Town Hall of Paluan, Occidental Mindoro

Ahlie going for a short ride.

Our main purpose in this trip is to survey the 160 sq. meters piece of land which we have purchased at Brgy. Alipaoy where we will build our dream mission center. We are now happy to announce that we have resumed with the construction of the building. The mission team has decided to use the funds for the intended purchase of the currently leased property (mission center) for the construction expenses instead.

The water pump we have drilled together.

The vision of building if not buying our own mission center and orphanage can be traced back in 2009. The mission team has prayed and worked together towards this vision. With an awesome God in spite of a limited capacity nothing is impossible to those who have faith. The vision has become our mission for three years and now the mission is finally turning to reality!

The entire mission family has prayed for this moment and now it's harvest time!

After layouting some details on the building project we headed back to our mission center to work on all the necessary documents. As I draft the revised floor plan and other remaining design details Ahlie, Marlyn and Ptr. JR were busy estimating the building cost. As it turned out we will be spending a little bit more with the building construction than purchasing the old house we are currently renting. But the size, the location and the design will be very much worth it. And perhaps with all the necessary repairs to be done with the old house, if we were still to pursue the idea of buying, we might still be spending a lot. It's a blessing the transaction with the lessor did not materialized as he withdrawn from the deal in spite of all the previous agreements and actions taken.

Another purpose of this trip is to secure some mission documents which are carefully filed in our center. These are the Lease Contract we have for a piece of 1 hectare land which we are providing as a temporary resettlement for the Agdilao Tribe (this is a different transaction for a different purpose), the Deed of Sale for a 160 sq.m. parcel of land where we will build our own DFCM Mission Center and Orphanage, our KKP Scholars Report Cards, and others.

The Lease Contract for Agdilao Tribe's resettlement for 3 years from August 2010 to August 2013.

The Deed of Sale of land for our own DFCM Mission Center and Orphanage.

18 report cards of our KKP scholars filed at the center by Marlyn Teodoro, our house parent.

Everyone's happy with the result of our day's work. We have done so much and were able to come up with a good plan because the Lord has been our guide and has provided us with wisdom. Now it is time to relax, have our dinner together and prepare for bedtime. Got to be ready for another big day ahead.

Preparing for dinner.

Our coal fueled stoves. Very economical!

DAY 2

March 6. Rise and shine for everyone! The day have started early with the aroma of pandan leaves steaming from the pot of rice in the kitchen. After a quick breakfast we hit the bathroom for a well-needed cool shower, it's going to be a very hot day and we will be moving around the town as we visit our scholars one by one in their classrooms and the communities around.

Paluan Central School is located in Barangay 6, today is our scheduled school visitation to meet with the teachers and principals who have been working with us hand in hand in building our Mangyan kids' future. They have two big campuses, one for the elementary and the other for high school.

Bicycles are left outside the school gate without locks yet they remain safe from theft.

Since 2005 we have launched Kalingang Kapatid Program (KKP) for those Mangyan kids that have the capacity to undergo formal education. We do the screening process by putting up small classrooms inside the Mangyan villages and conduct a non-formal schooling program to everyone in the tribe, that includes adults and elderly too. After a certain period we can carefully gauge those kids who have potential and then we talk to their parents, once they agree to send their child to the town for schooling we prepare the necessary documents and they become our KKP Scholars. This public school in town then will be the doorstep to their dreams.

Magelyn, our honor student and KKP scholar with Teacher Mylene Losito

Our KKP Scholar Ledesma with her teacher Ms. Janeth Fetalvero

Bike and Beyond having a wonderful conversation with the high school principal, Mrs. Suerlita D. Dangeros

Our tandem in building future, the faculty of Central School.

The student having a practice for their field demo.

Enough with the bike, let's try flying this time!

With the elementary principal/head teacher, Mrs. Emma Jarien and school secretary, Mrs. Marissa Viana

Lisa with her teacher, Mrs. Gecilyn Planta

Having a quality time with the teachers helps us a lot in providing our KKP Scholars a better schooling experience.

Emily with Mrs. Vivian Viana, Mrs. Susan Abriego and Mrs. Peby De Lara, her teachers.

Emily and Janet, our KKP Scholars in this classroom.

Marita's teachers, Mrs. Annie Sales and Mrs. Lerma Trillana. Marita is not in the picture because she is participating in an activity at the time.

Next time we will feature the other KKP Scholars we missed because of their activities in Hinugasan Elementary School, once their back in town.

As long as a Mangyan child attends school we provide everything to him/her from housing, food, other basic necessities, school materials and all other school requirements. These kids once in the mission center are also trained to be well-rounded and self-reliant as our staff teach them proper hygiene, housekeeping and good study habits. In the mission center every child is also discipled well in her spiritual walk with God. Once they are in our mission center their families are always free to visit them any time they want. Some of our kids are unfortunately orphans so they don't have family visits like the rest but they are happy and contented in the mission center none the less.

We also have extension center for KKP Scholars. Tertiary schooling is not available in Paluan, so if a child who has finished secondary education still desires to continue schooling we send them to the nearest local college which is in Mamburao, the Occidental Mindoro National Colleges. There they can get degrees in education or management. Our program here are not yet well established due to limited resources but we already have three kids who have enrolled there.

After the school visits Pastor JR and I went to Mamburao to buy some materials for the building construction. Once we have settled everything needed we hurried back to Paluan to attend our final meeting and mission briefing for the coming summer. When we arrived in the center most of our mission staff were already eagerly waiting for us. Datu and Nanay Patchie have already prepared tuna for lunch, Ate Marlyn have finished all the documentations we were working with the whole night while Ahlie have finished packing up our things for Manila and have given an initial talk with the team.

After the meeting, we just have few minutes left for us to at least grab something from the dinning table before the door-to-door service arrives to pick us up for the Manila trip. At exactly 2:00 pm. the van arrived and we bid each one goodbye, just for now, for in a few days I will be back to check on the building construction developments and attend to other needs.

We reached the Port of Abra De Ilog at around 4:30 pm., just enough for us to stretch out a little before our van boards the Reina Justisya ship of Montenegro Shipping Lines. Our ship left the dock at exactly 5:00 pm. and it took us 3 hours to reach the Port of Batanggas.

This particular ship is new to us, it is not part of the regular line up of ships from Montenegro that connects Batangas and Abra De Ilog. But we liked it because its interior and facilities are a lot fresher than those usual ones. We just learned from the signage posted on the wall that this ship normally operates in Sorsogon. Well, good for us we had a taste of a better ship this day!

We were home by God's travelling mercy by 11:30 pm. It was a pleasant trip on the way back to Manila. But I can say this one is a short but very meaningful mission trip for Ahlie and I. We were able to accomplish thing more than we have planned and expected. And we know well that the Lord's hand was upon us all the time for He found favor in our sincere love and service for our fellowmen.

TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!

TO BIKE AND BEYOND!

Coming soon! Our blog on the Mangyan Tribes. Please watch for it.

Bike And Beyond is charity and we really mean charity!

"The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made."
Psalm 145:13

For another good blog on Mindoro Tribal Missions you can click and read:

Sunny Side Up In Paluan (part 1)

JESUS DID NOT DEFEND HIMSELF (even if He was right).

2012-03-04T02:34:00.000+08:00

JESUS DID NOT DEFEND HIMSELF

(even if He was right)

Mark 15

"WHY DON"T YOU SAY A WORD?" asked Pilate.

Jesus Before Pilate

1 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, made their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.

2 “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate.

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

3 The chief priests accused him of many things.
4 So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.”
5 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.

6 Now it was the custom at the festival to release a prisoner whom the people requested. 7A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. 8 The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.

9 “Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?” asked Pilate,

10 knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.

12 “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them.

13 “Crucify him!” they shouted.

14 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified."

A crown for the king of the Jews!" And yet he accepted the crown of thorns without a word.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

16 The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. 17 They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him.

18 And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!”

19 Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him.

20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him."

The soldiers insulted Jesus. The crowd insulted Jesus. The convicted thief insulted Jesus. Yet He did not answered back.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

21 A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.

22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”).

23 Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.

24 And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.

25 It was nine in the morning when they crucified him.

26 The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS.

27 They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. [28] [a]

29 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 come down from the cross and save yourself!”

31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself!

32 Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him."

Behold, the lamb that was slain. Meek even to its death.

The Death of Jesus

33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.

34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[b]

35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died,[c] he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

40 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph,[d] and Salome.

41 In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there."

TO DEATH HE SUFFERED SO MUCH YET JESUS DID NOT DEFEND HIMSELF.

If he holds the truth, then why did He not defend himself, though He has all the capacity to do that? In spite of all the gossip and malice the Jews, the chief priests and the Roman soldiers have hurled against Him which yet cannot be proven. And for all what Jesus has done all throughout his ministry: the love, kindness, charity, miracles and more; yet the people have been swayed easily by pleasantry of words that is not founded on an open heart for the truth. Even how painful it was for His close friends to betray Him from Judas who did it passionately with a death kiss, to Peter who denied Him in the cruical moments, to everyone who went into hiding after His death. Yet Jesus did not defend himself.

For today we know why, because there is due time for everything. Where truth will set us free, and every slander and malice will be exposed and judged accordingly. Jesus dosn't want us to fall in this pit, for He have showed the people "the way" but yet in spite of all what He have showed them they killed Him. We on our time are just the same.

In His silence through all persecutuions and sufferingsJesus He was justified in the Spirit, a vindication in faith.

Looking back:

Jesus was wrongly and maliciously accused of the expensive perfume.

(John 12: 1-10)

John 12

The weak soul in faith has accused Jesus of allowing such a big waste.

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.

2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.

3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected,

5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.[b]”

6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.

8 You will always have the poor among you,[c] but you will not always have me.”

9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.

10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well,

11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him."

REMEMBERING THE BEATITUDES, Jesus' teachings on the mount.

Matthew 5:8-12

"Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth."

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

JESUS' WARNING ON SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS

Matthew 7

1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.

2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?

4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?

5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

"JUDGING A PERSON DOES NOT DEFINE WHO HE IS BUT RATHER DEFINES WHO YOU ARE."

Today, Jesus is justified of all the accusations, but never He was in His time.

LOVE IS THE GREATEST

2012-02-29T09:43:00.002+08:00

LOVE IS THE GREATEST

If i could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or clanging cymbal.

If I had a gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing.

If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud, or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever truth wins out.

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!

Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only a part of the whole picture.

But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless.

When I was a child, I spoke and reasoned like a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see with perfect clarity. All that I know partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me completely.

Three things will last forever -faith, hope and love, and the greatest of this is love.

From the first book of Apostle Paul to the church of Corinth in Greece.

________________

For more than a decade ever since I have heard God's calling I have laid my life on the line for others. Others means those who are in need materially, emotionally and spiritually. I do not say that I am rich and able, or wise and strong, and definitely not perfect when I followed that voice. But when I started pursuing the call not only me but my whole family has also given up what was ours for the love of God.

Through the years, as we have truly understood who they are, who are those people whom God has commissioned to us. As we grow together we learned to reason together, and it has helped me to understand their pure ways and sufferings. I have seen once too many imperfections in them that somehow affected me but it was also a constant reminder to me that I have my own share too. For this I have learn to accept, forgive, let go, and most of all love them as my own. Since then the following pages of our lives were written together. We tried to live with them and be like them for the reason of love and the desire of empathy.

Love is a pure and is a holy word. It is hard to understand yet it is available for everyone, for freely God has given it to us when He breath the breath of life from the very start of time. We are just confused sometimes of what it truly means and applies it on different purpose apart from God's true purpose.

Without pure love it will be hard to understand why we are called for others. Without pure love we will not understand humility and sacrifice. Without pure love we will not know how to forgive and let go. Without pure love we will not know how to reach out with holiness. Without pure love it will be hard to ask for forgiveness and be forgiven in return.

Today, we remain in that calling -to love, to help, to understand, to forgive. There are times when it gets rough and we fumble, we falter, we miss. But we can remain for our God is love, and His love is beyond fathom. Too great is His love for us!

I can only write of this things, but I am humbled continuously of the vast greatness God has in our lives. I am not worthy, not anyone is worthy of this. And I honor Him as I subject myself fully to Him and him alone, for He is my true Master and Him I will serve to the very last beat of my heart.

________________

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Matthew 6:1-4

THE GIFT OF BIKE

2012-02-26T12:48:00.000+08:00

THE GIFT OF BIKE

By Ernie Catanghal

People bike for a reason.

For others it depends on the season.

Some do it for the love of it,

While some pedal to make both ends meet.

Others bike to gain a friend, a companion,

And I know some do it to be alone.

Few blessed strong bike to train and race,

But common is to ride slow just to enjoy the days.

There are also bikers ride to get fit,

For others they bike for their odds to beat.

Some biker follow while others lead,

There are few bikes to serve other’s need.

No matter how many are the types of bike and ride,

I believe bicycle is there to unite and not divide.

True respect for all and no need to compare,

The more we ride the more we share, support and care.

BICYCLE IS ONE OF THE GREATEST GIFT TO HUMANITY.

LET US BIKE TO BUILD BRIDGES, LET US RIDE TO BE ONE.

GOD BLESS THE BIKE AND ALL THE BIKERS.

On a crossroad bikers of different sorts become one. Let us help build a better place, a better environment, a better earth.

Truly A Simple But Wonderful Bike Date

2012-02-26T02:00:00.004+08:00

Truly A Simple But Wonderful Bike Date

By Ernie Catanghal

Saturday, around eight in the evening Ahlie and I decided to take our bikes outside for a roll. We planned of having a little time out after a week of so much catching up since she just had a ton of paperwork for her teaching work as a professor in a university, while I just came back from a week-long ride to Ilocos Norte for Bike and Beyond's charitable cause.

Upon reaching C-5 (circumferential road-5) there was a light traffic already on both directions so we enjoyed our 5 kilometer ride to Tiendesitas which is found at the corner of E. Rodriguez Ave. and Dona Julia Vargas Ave.

Tiendesitas is a Spanish word for a small store or a collection of small stores like that of a market place. The shops here in Tiendesitas normally opens in the afternoon and closes late in the evening. They showcase a rich variety of Filipino native delicacies, clothes and fabric, furniture and antiques, plants and pets, and other novelty products.

Stopping by in front of Transcom Center which houses off-shore call center facility of NuComm International in the Philippines. This building is located on the northern side of Tiendesitas while on the opposite side is the SM Hypermarket.

SM Hypermarket is open from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm which makes it suitable for those late shoppers. One more thing good about this place is for being biker friendly. They have racks for parking bicycles near the side entrance and they would even allow you to bring them in while you shop or dine if your bike is a 20" wheel folding type.

After spinning around the vicinity we went inside the hypermarket. Ahlie decided to have something light for the evening so we stopped by her favorite pastry shop, Icing's.

It was such an ease for us because we just simply folded our bikes and park them beside our table. Folding bikes like our Dahon Mu series are designed to be rolled easily even when folded provided the locking magnet are firmly connected or an extra strap will do the trick in securing the bikes from accidentally unfolding while pushing it. Once you have done it walking around a mall or an establishment like this will not be a problem at all.

Ahlie had one of her usual delights, their "Green Salad With Nuts and Fruits". It is a salad of mixed lettuce greens, grapes, mangoes and oranges with toasted cashew nuts and drizzled with balsamic vinegar reduction and olive oil. She matched it with a cup of their house coffee.

While I simply had a glass of cold "Banana Havana", it is a serving of vanilla ice cream with sliced banana, peanut butter, whipped cream, sprinkles of choco bits and a piece of cherry on top.

After that delightful meal from Icing's we went to Watson's to buy some necessities for our kids. At first we asked the security guard if we need to leave our bikes in front of their shop but he told us we can bring them inside with us.

Rolling our bikes to around was a bliss! But the people around can't help but to watch us move with our unusually looking bikes. Some even approached us just to ask where to get a bike like this and how much. Some would even take pictures of themselves with us and our bikes. We are always delighted to share to the people some ideas about this type of bike and the advantages of what regularly biking can do for our health and fitness, the traffic issues and our fragile environment, not to forget the fact that they are easily loaded on taxi, bus, plane and now even allowed to be boarded with the passenger on LRT, MRT and PNR trains. Special thanks to the people who worked hard to make this thing legal.

After securing the things that we needed we simply rolled our bikes outside through the ramp, unfolded them, and off we go again.

Before heading home Ahlie suggested to add more "miles" to burn extra calories. So we turned right to Lanuza Street and made two loops around Ultra (University of Life) before heading back down town.

Biking at night can be done safer if you know how to do it. There are some strict essentials that one must secure on every ride. First, don't bike alone and avoid those dark and remote streets. Second, don't ride on highways with very fast traffic. Third, always observe traffic rules to avoid surprises. Once you fail and make some untoward surprises you will be on the losing end, you know what I mean. Also, safety gears should fall on its place and never miss them. Below are the basic standards:

A certified bike safety helmet for your one and only. You lose your head and your gone!

Tail light or blinker. Mine is a Cat Eye Reflex Auto that turns on automatically when motion and darkness are detected.

Bike Bell to call some attention.

Front lamp or head lamp. Normally this lamp is mounted on handle bars but we got a special skewer mounted lamp holder that's why the one in the picture is at hub level giving a more intense lighting on the foreground.

The U.S. CREE XML-T6 light.
This is a special bike lamp that gives lighting power up to 1,200 lumens and is powered by a separate rechargeable battery pack. This type of lamp is waterproof and can work up to 4 hours on high beam but can last up to steady 48 hours on glimmer. This kind of bike lamp once turned on is so hard not to get noticed by motorists because it throws very strong light much brighter even than cars on high beam. Just don't point it on the face of anyone or they will surely not see you anymore.

A reflector like a vest type or button type, or simply a wrap around reflector like this in the picture is an optional safety gear but its effectiveness and importance can not be discounted.

Other than these safety gears in the picture you can also consider a pair of night goggles to protect the eyes, a whistle for emergencies and of course tools for fixing your bike.

One can add a little more security just like what we always bring with us in defense from bad elements and stray dog attacks. Our "Sabre pepper spray" is not like the ordinary pepper spray, it is designed to shoot at a long distance of 3 meters (10 feet) and is effective to repel attackers in advance. It comes with a holster that snug perfectly on our bike frame, this holster is made of stretchable material which makes it good for runners and hikers too.

The SABRE Dog Attack Detrrent. This spray has an adjustable strap lending accesibility and ease carrying both in the palm and on bike. The small, yet powerful .75 oz unit provides a 10 foot (3 meters) ballistic stream delivery which decreases wind blow-back.

One more pit stop for the night. As Ahlie got a bit thirsty from those climbs that we just did so we drop by the Original Pares food house at A. Luna St. in Bambang, Pasig City and had a couple of their popular super ice tea in giant glass mugs.

It is already 10:45 pm when we got home, our kids were still awake excitedly waiting for us to see what we got for them. After having some more quality minutes with them we kissed each of them good night. Now we can call it a day, what a very simple bike date yet a wonderful one indeed with my wife!

The Journey Under The Beacon Light

2012-02-25T15:42:00.003+08:00

The Journey Under The Beacon Light

by Pastor Ernie Catanghal

As we travel on life's highway we come face to face with the profoundness of our limited earthly existence. Sometimes we allow the journey to takes the center stage and consume the essence of our own commission.

We get exposed to the heat of the sun, the pouring of the rain, and the coldness of the night. We are tossed by winding roads, slowed down by mountains and hills, pushed beyond our control by downhills, shaken by rocks, bumps and potholes.

Frequently confused by turns, crossroads and of byways, and discouraged and disillusioned by the long and seemingly never ending stretch. At times we are dazed by the wide horizon that overwhelms our vision, taking away our focus and orientation.

And not to miss being confronted by other travelers along the way. Some has inspired us to draw along their direction while some lured us to their lost ways.

Then we found ourselves off our own track.

But there is always a Beacon, a guiding light to us that we may not falter. The beacon doesn't want us to see the things around for us to lose direction but rather to know where we are and that we are not alone and not everyone is travelling on the same direction. It shines steadily on our way for us to see the whole picture of the master plan, and navigate on the only one and perfect course.

Not all knows where to go. Not all understands why to go. And for those who knows and understand not all are willing to go.

I am called by my name by that Great Beacon. It has humbled me and showed me the journey I have to take. And it has showed me those around me who are lost, weary and uselessly wandering to guide them if not to carry them to the lighted path of redemption.

Today, I still travel on this road called life. I admit sometimes I go sidetracked and find myself in dark corners that throws nothing on me but anguish and disbelief. If not for that Beacon I may have exhausted nothing but waste. So from the bottom I look up and fix my eyes on that Beacon and follow where it leads me. To do what is meant under its illumination.

"It's an inner healing to be reminded by God of who you are and how you are called, to know well the divine purpose of your existence."

Thank you Lord for leading and embracing me.

AGDILAO: A New Horizon For Christ

2012-02-24T21:22:00.001+08:00

AGDILAO: A NEW HORIZON FOR CHRIST

by Ernie Catanghal

This is what BIKE AND BEYOND is all about. With eyes of compassion opened wide we search for them; the broken, the lost, they are the desolate people outside and inside our communities. Those faces the world has forgotten, them that we pass by everyday, the voices we seldom heard. They are God's children and the true reason why we bike and beyond.

We ride the distance to create awareness and to raise support for the mission work in the Mangyan Tribes of the island of Mindoro. We bike the distance to go beyond our our comfort zones and reach out to the needy, to the poorest among the poor.

We are called to man for others, we are called to make a difference. We are always capable of doing God's will for us regardless of who we are and what we are. There's is no rich nor poor in doing good, in caring, in touching someone's life. We are all blessed in one way or another to be a blessing.

Some have seen, some have heard and only few has responded. "For many were called but few were chosen (Matthew 22:14)." We bike and beyond to keep calling like a voice in the desert, knocking at the door of every heart.

Will you care to open up? Will you try to listen?

Will you care to open up? Will you try to listen?

A Bike Ride From Pasig To Pagudpud of Ilocos Norte For The Mangyan Tribes

2012-02-23T21:05:00.001+08:00

"A CALL TO RIDE, A CALL TO HELP."

By ERNIE AND AHLIE CATANGHAL

Ride for a cause, a thing I started doing since January 2011. It all came to happen when our 13 year old mission work with the Mangyan tribes of Mindoro has experienced support fatigue from sponsors who help us send Mangyan kids to formal schooling. Since our group is an independent mission operation we rely merely on supports coming from families, friends and even from our own pockets. And our work is not only to send kids to school, we operate like an orphanage and we also do regular feeding program, medical missions, para-schooling, livelihood training and assistance, and evangelism. This work is not confined in the rural areas anymore but has grown to reach out to the urban poor both in the province and in the city.

This is where the idea came about after our team's prayer and fasting, we got the inspiration from the story in the Bible when Moses was called to lead God's people, the Israelites. Moses doubted at first but God asked him "What's in your hand?" and he replied "Just a staff, Lord", and the rest of the history followed as the Lord used that staff to deliver the people from slavery in Egypt.

The same way I asked the Lord when I have nothing in my pockets, nothing in my hands. I asked him how shall I continue the task He has given me without having sufficient resources? Then the Lord impressed me that I have a bike. At first I ridiculed in my thoughts, shall I sell the bike? Will the proceeds be enough to run the mission at least for a year? Then I was enlightened that I will ride my bike. And it is here where I started doing the ride-for-a-cause program for the poorest among the poor.

This year the ride will be stretched from Pasig City to Pagudpud of Ilocos Norte. A ride from the center of Luzon to the northern tip which goes to a distance of more than 600 kilometers one way. This is a fragment of my epic ride done last year which loops around the entire Luzon. The blessing about this ride is that there is someone God has touched to ride with me throughout the entire distance, my friend Bogs Manuela. He responded to the call in spite of being new to biking. He has stood by me through all what it takes to make this ride happen, the Lord bless you for your good heart brother!

DAY 1

Very early in the morning of February 12, Sunday, I pulled my folding bike from the corner and hanged on it my panniers filled with my stuff while Ahlie was preparing a cup of coffee for me before I go. When all my things were set I finished my coffee and had a prayer with my wife, then I kissed her and waved goodbye.

At Plaza Rizal, I am about to meet my friend Bogs, together with some of our bike friends who made a last minute notice that they will ride with us up to Tarlac City which is good for the entire day already. Two of them are Barangay Captains from our city: Bernard Perez and Romy Marcelo, while the other two are committee members of our local bike group: Allan Altamero and Andy Intalan.

With Ahlie before leaving our house for Pagudpud.

Setting up my stuff on my folding bike.

Having a last glimpse on the map and travel manifest.

Left to Right: Bernard Perez, Allan Altamero, Romy Marcelo, Bogs Manuela, Ernie Catanghal, Andy Intalan

Without further delays after we had our group prayer we kicked off for the long ride. Having two cars as our S.A.G. (courtesy of our two biker companions) we were able to change the long route to Bulacan to pass instead through EDSA with safety which has made the route a lot shorter. In no time we have left Metro Manila. For the first day we covered three provinces namely Bulacan, Pampanga and Tarlac which has a total distance of 148 kilometers.

Our first breakfast for the trip somewhere in Bulacan. I had a bad choice of viand in this restaurant, the food was not fresh and it gave me a terrible diarrhea for the entire day that made me to stop at every gas station and restaurant restrooms causing so much dehydration, too much that my group was already considering to take me to a hospital. But by God's grace I was able to survive the day in spite of it and reach Tarlac City pedaling with nothing but divine mercy.

One of our rest stops in Pampanga where I am almost out of fluid in my system, my muscles were so dry and painful already at this point. I got some bananas, crackers and mineral water from this store along the highway.

Entering Tarlac City our friend Allan and Bogs both wearing the BIKE AND BEYOND shirts.

We stopped by Robinson's Mall in Tarlac City to get some rest for the last stage of the day. Everyone's exhausted here with some getting some muscle cramps. Praise God even with my dehydrated muscles yet I did not get that dreaded cramps.

Just a couple of kilometers left, Romy suffered a flat tire. The group are all hands working on the it.

We have reached our destination by 9:25 pm, we were all soaking wet from the rain which started pouring late in the afternoon. We then had a dinner together which was hosted by Romy Marcelo while Bernard Perez has provided for us for a place to sleep for the night. Right after Bogs and I have settled in the room our companions have bid farewell and left for their trip back to Manila on that same night.

Thanks to you guys! You just made our first day fun and easier.

Our first refuge for the long journey, a very comfortable room in Farmhouse Inn in Tarlac.

DAY 2

Bogs and I had a good night of rest and it has helped us recover fast and has prepared us well for the second day of ride. This time it will be up to Pozorrubio in Pangasinan, an 82 kilometer ride with eight towns to cover. Bernard Perez had made an arrangement with his relatives who lives there to prepare a room for us to stay just for a night. This time the it was raining almost the entire day so we were totally drenched specially when we have passed through portions of the road which were under reconstruction. Along the way we have met and have a mirthful converstion with Mr. Jojo Pulintan who owns Nikimo's Restaurant in Tarlac where we had our late breakfast. Upon reaching Pozorrubio we were met by Tita Rose Bonifacio and her family, the only aunt of Bernard Perez on the mothers side. Tita Rose is a bubbly retired teacher who is still very active in their community. We were treated by the family with their famous Bonoan bangus for dinner, a true winner!

The start of another day, amazingly Bogs is feeling strong and fresh when he woke up. This was a good sign.

Mr. Jojo Pulintan of Nikimo's Place Restaurant.

At a gas station where we stopped for a cup of coffee.

Stopping for coffee break in that freezing-cold rainy ride.

Plenty of road constructions like this. It made our ride more challenging.

A wet bat on the arch of Paniqui, Tarlac.

Moncada, Tarlac gave us such a headache with those potholes and mud. Our folding bikes started to complain.

Goodbye Tarlac, hello Pangasinan! The rain was relentless.

Bogs sharing some meal with the street kids.

Carabao (Babalus Bubalis Carabanesis) is a subspecies of the domesticated water bufalo. In the Philippines the carabao is the farmer's best friend.

The town of our destination for the day, Pozorrubio of Pangasinan.

Tita Rose Bonifacio and family, we will forever be grateful for your hospitality.

Folding bikes can easily fit anywhere, even on bedside.

We registered a 229.5 kilometers by day 2.

DAY 3

Just a town to go form here and we are rolling on La Union, after Sison is Rosario, La Union which is the town that leads to two great destinations; if you turn right it leads to the cold province of Benguet (where Baguio City is) while if you turn left it will lead you to the warm provinces of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, that's where we are going. The distance we were to cover for this day was around 112 kilometers which became more challenging since at this stage our bodies started to complain and the weather has suddenly changed to dry and very hot that reached 39 degrees at noon time. When we have reached Bangar, a town along the sea shore, we started looking for a cheap place to sleep and we found Magdiwang Drive-In Resort which is at beach front. Bogs grabbed the chance to refresh there taking a plunge in the salt water while I just sat around and watched the beautiful sunset.

Our fifth province to conquer in this epic journey, La Union has a 90 kilometer road stretch.

To the left, to the left! The Y-section of the road. Right goes to Benguet while left heads to Ilocos Sur.

Blazing hot! The heat started building pressure inside my head, not a good sign for me. Yet the ride must go on!

"Where are we now and what's the next town?" as Bogs used to ask. That's where these notes come in handy, better than the map we had with us.

Bogs and I were just taking the ride one pedal at a time. Our energy bar is laughter.

One great sight and landmark that we got along our journey are the old churches of every town in the north. So Hispanic!

Praying for more strength or praying for more food? Maybe both.

Bogs showing us where we will be resting for the night, Bangar which is still 43 kilometers from us.

Ate Teresa, the caretaker of Grotto in Balaoan, La Union gave us some idea about the place. Such a wonderful lady!

Bangar, La Union finaly! This is a bay town and we found so many resorts in this place.

We started to look for a cheap room before dusk and we found Magdiwang Drive-Inn Resort that gives their non-air conditioned room for 400 pesos for a night. That will do. One problem we have encountered here was there was no food available by 8:00pm and we have to go out and knock on a closed variety store just to buy instant cup noodles and some bottled drinks for dinner.

DAY 4

Got to keep those sleepy bones moving! Rise and shine before the sun breaks in the morning. Day four will bring us to the beautiful province of Ilocos Sur. As we go deeper to the northern region we noticed that the day temperature is becoming warmer and windier, perhaps it was the effect of getting nearer to the open sea. During this day ride I have experienced strong pain attack somewhere in the mountainous region of Santa, Ilocos Sur. This has caused us some delay for a while to allow me to recover for the remaining 28 kilometers of ride before we can call it a day. Ahlie has a friend and colleague in the academy who happened to have a house in Bantay, Ilocos Sur and that her father is the only one staying there. She offered Ahlie to host Bogs and me for the night. As agreed we found Mr. Hipolito Paranada who is known in their town as "Mang Totoy" anxiously waiting for us in front of his house when we arrived late around 8:00 in the evening. This long delay was due to my condition and some wrong turns along the road. At once we were warmly accommodated by Mang Totoy offering us a glass of red wine to help us relax a bit before showing us the bedroom and the shower. He has also prepared a scrumptious dinner for us, such a wonderful person he is. After refreshing in the shower room and having a little more chat with Mang Totoy we went to bed. The total distance for this day is 112 kilometers.

Beautiful sunrise, beautiful day!

Geared up and ready to meet Ilocos Sur.

Wearing my Muleteer shirt, thanks guys!

At the boundary of La Union and Ilocos Sur. Tagudin was the first town to welcome us.

The strong sunlight provides us with another companions along the way.

How I love that massively natured Spanish architecture!

It is a standard design for old Spanish houses to have wide front doors. Actually almost everything in their design is either big, wide or spacious.

A time to cool down along the Candon City public market. We had a cup of chocolate sundaes here to lessen the heat building up in our bodies and head.

Fixing a busted tire in this hot portion of the road. Trying to get a small shade from a bush I worked on Bogs rear wheel.

San Esteban has those beautiful white sand beaches along the highway. And one good thing about this place is that some portions of these beaches are just along the open highway and anyone can stop by for free.

Clear skies, clear water, white sand beaches... what more can you ask for? We're being tempted to take a plunge already.

We stopped by a restaurant by the highway for lunch and to get some relief from the heat. The temperature here shoot up to the height of 42 degrees with UV level of 9, just one more level and it's already harmfully cancerous to the skin.While taking our time there Bogs decided to take a nap while I removed my plain white cotton shirt and decided to do a little work of art on it. I plotted the map of our journey on the back using my permanent marker. In this way Bogs will stop asking me about what's next hahaha!

The finished shirt design!

The hot and hilly town of Santa. This is where the heat got a good shot on my head as I had a great deal of pain. We were forced to stopped immediately on top of a hill. It took us a while before the pain subsided and get back on the road.

Bantay is where we will be resting for the night but with some miscommunication we went straight to Vigan instead before turning around for another 8 kilometers to find our host's place for this night.

Our first sight of Vigan City's Heritage Village.

The much craved for chicken for dinner.

Vigan at night.

Mr. Hipolito Paranada or we called him "Papa Totoy", our very warm host in Bantay, Ilocos Sur. Thank you very much for the accomodating us well. God bless you for your kindness!

DAY 5

We have come a long way already, from the town of Bantay to the last province of our epic ride, the Ilocos Norte. But this is not the last day as we have to go for one more day after this to reach our final destination. For this day we will be going to the 1st class city and capital of the province, the Laoag City. It is located at the foothills of the central Cordillera mountain ranges making the terrain more challenging with plenty of non-stop steep climbs that stretches to around 90 kilometers under the heat of the sun.The gusty north winds is also adding up to the experience giving us a hard time moving forward. Yet none of us were willing to give up, not even Bogs as he always express that his mind is fixed on the reason why he was doing the ride. He was so much focused and inspired on one of our main cause, to help the Mangyans get a permanent orphanage building. At San Nicolas, just the town before Laoag City I was again sidelined by pain as we immediately stopped by a gasoline station to rest and let the pain subside. After a few minutes I was able to recover and fit again just to reach Laoag. Back in Manila our friend Renante Gudao has offered us a place to stay for the night once we reach Laoag, it is the town of Sarrat which is just 7 kilometers from the city proper. But with my feeble condition brought about by pain we were then forced to settle down at the city by finding a cheap hotel, and there we found Texicano Hotel that goes for 375 pesos only for a night. We just informed Renante what happened why we couldn't make it to Sarrat. The day has ended with 546 kilometers of total distance all the way back from Pasig City.

The mountain ranges of central Cordillera.

The early birds in the farm are of course those hard-working local farmers. Looking at them I can't say any other word but "soooo admirable!" If only every Filipino has a farmer-like character then our country will be much better.

Stacking the hay.

It's going to be a very hot day again.

The National Museum in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur.

The Bellfry Tower of Magsingal Convent

Inside the provincial museum you can find the Ilocano heritage, their pottery, farming, fabric making, ancestral clothing, hunting tools and native fiber handicraft artifacts.

A funeral parade complete marching band for the rich departed is common in this province .

Churches in the north is commonly massively built, specially their bell towers.

The entrance to Ilocos Norte, the home of our late president Ferdinand E. Marcos who was known for leading a dictatorial government from 1965 to 1986. His native town in Ilocos Norte is Batac.

Having a short halo-halo break along the highway, the best way to quench the heat.

Ilocos is well known for their rich agriculture with crops like rice, corn, garlic, legumes, root crops, tobacco, and other fruits and vegetables. They also are known for fish sauce, salt and vinegar. Along the highway we can see a long row of stores that sell their local products according to season. When we passed by saw plenty of garlic and onions, bags of salt and different bottled products.

Entering Batac, the "Home of Great Leaders" as iti is the hometown of many significant figures in the history of the Philippines. Just to mention a few like Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, Gregorio Aglipay of Philippine Independent Church and Gen. Artemio Ricarte the "Father of the Philippine Army".

World Peace Center or the Marcos Photo Gallery

The Marcos Museum and Mausoleum, containing both memorabilia and current resting place of the late president.

Iglesia Filipina Inipendiente (IFI) Church in Batac, a Christian denomination with Catholic traditions that declared separation from the Roman Catholic Church in 1902. It is also known as Aglipayan Church after it Obispo Maximo, Gregorio Aglipay of Batac.

Jigs of Laoag City, a fellow biker who happen to recognize us along the highway of San Nicolas. This is in Petron gas station where I suffered another strong pain attack in my head. See my smile? Who would say that I just came from so much pain? Cheers!

Upon reaching the town proper of San Nicloas we stopped by a laundry shop to have our soiled clothes washed. We needed it badly since we already ran out of clothes to wear.

The very impressive approach of the capital city of Ilocos Norte, Laoag City is across Padsan River if coming from San Nicolas. It is connected by the long Gilbert Bridge which is named after the American Governor-General to the Philippines, Newton Whiting Gilbert (1962-1939).

The provincial capitol building at Laoag City.

The sinking bell tower of Laoag.

Aurora Park

Texican Hotel just along west of J. P. Rizal St.

Day 6

It's D-Day! The day that the Lord has made!

I am not sure if it is excitement or anxiety that is creeping on us when we woke up. Just about less than 80 kilometers left and we can stand before the most sought after arch, the marker of the last town in the northern tip of Luzon. Pagudpud here we come!

But it was too early to celebrate for the elements of this day's ride was unexpected. Coming from three days of pedaling under the scourging heat of the sun the weather that we encountered this time after crossing the towns of Bacarra, Pasuquin and early part of Burgos was totally opposite. Sky was dark, windy and was raining cats and dogs the whole day. The road climbs became longer and steeper too, as if the mountains were yelling at us: "Surrender now! You can't do it!" Not to forget, our folding bikes were also making squeaking sounds all over as if they were asking us to have mercy. But our determination was yelling back much louder. Bogs, in spite of looking so exhausted will always utter to me: "Brother, the ride is just getting better". And I would reply, "For the Mangyan kids, let's get it on!"

By noon time we have come face to face with the windmills in Bangui. Truly amazing! It was so hard to interpret how we felt when we stand in awe before the sight of a breathtaking ocean with a very long row of giant white columns with an attached three equally gigantic blades rotating to the blow of the wind. Now these windmills were our last marker to the end of the line. It was true, after few more rolls and we were on a bridge with an arch on the other end of it. On the white arch it says: "PAGUDPUD". In the middle of that quiet bridge, under the pouring rain we praised the Lord! We just did it! But in spite of the jubilation in our hearts we were both speechless, we just look at each other and made a high five. The feeling when we were standing before that welcome arch was totally astounding.

Few more kilometers and we're in the town proper, soaked and wasted but fulfilled. We then stopped in front of the town hall, took some pictures under the rain with my wet digital camera then looked for a place where we can change our clothes and have a late but well-deserved lunch. The terminal for south bounded buses was just around the corner so after refreshing ourselves we took the first bus that arrived. On the bus we leaned on those cushy front seats, both very quiet with our minds flying back in time. We were still speechless trying to collect the details of the six days that has passed, but it seems we were being consumed by our subsiding adrenalin, and the spur of overflowing emotion for that rare accomplishment for Bogs and for doing it the second time for me.

Aurora Park in an early morning sun.

The directional sign that we were looking for, to Pagudpud!

Bacarra

Pasuquin

Our sixth and last breakfast for this epic ride. Gotta fill those hungry stomachs well for the next stop will be very far from here, lunch will be served at Pagudpud.

An iodized salt refinery at Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte

Some students of Bobon Elementary School in Burgos were all thrilled to have a photo taken with me. Most of them speak Ilocano and English only so we converse in English, of course.

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse of Burgos.

After this steep climb portion of the road the huge waves of the South China Sea greeted us.

At this point it started to rain and it didn't stop even until we reached Pagudpud.

Trying to take a very brief rest from the strong rain and winds in those hilly portion of the road,Bogs and i were both freezing wet.

The BIKE AND BEYOND shirt is really taking it beyond the boundaries. If you buy a BIKE AND BEYOND shirt for only 400 pesos you have already extended help to the tribal kids of Mindoro.

A bowl of hot noodles is such a relief to us at this stage. The ride on this 6th day has been the most challenging.

Bangui is the second to the last town. The home of the famous windmills.

The NorthWind Bangui Bay Project's windmills of Ilocos Norte. They are used for renewable source of energy and to help reduce the greenhouse gasses the cause global warming. Each wind tourbine is capable of producing electricity up to the maximum capacity of 1.65MW. This rows of windmills stretches to a long 9 kilometer stretch.

It was an awesome feeling to stand before these 50 meter high turbines!

Some locals around the vicinity were making souvenirs items made of palochina wood of the Bangui turbines and lighthouses of Burgos. Their finished products are brought to the different commercial centers in the province of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur as well. I got my mini turbine for less than half the commercial price plus a gift of a small lighthouse. They said I deserve it for biking from Pasig City all the way there to Bangui, how generous!

Through our misty eye perhaps from the non-stop rain or maybe from tears we saw the bridge that leads to the arch on the other end. The white arch we've been longing for from the very start of this last day. The arch of Pagudpud.

Finally we made it! Misty picture but a clear sense of fulfillment!

Bogs throwing the victory sign to the air. Congratulations brother!

The town hall of Pagudpud.

Special thanks to Mr. Kim Castro of Pagudpud Town Hall for your warm assistance to us in providing us a place to change and refresh.

Still raining hard, but thank God I'm in dry clothes now.

All the hardships and victory is for the love of God and fellowmen. Bike And Beyond cares!

Yes, Bike And Beyond really cares!

At the bus terminal, our bikes waiting for the big ride. Kudos to you our faithful steeds, thank you for bringing us here to Pagudpud.

What more can we say? Maybe so much but I don't know why our lips were sealed. Overjoyed! Praise you oh Lord.

When I touched down on February 19, Sunday in Pasig the registered total distance on my cyclometer is 645.8 kilometers. This included the ride around Vigan after reaching Pagudpud and some portion upon arriving in Cubao on the way to Pasig. But numbers are just numbers, what is beautiful about this ride is that in spite of all the odds everyone who ride with me enjoyed and are safe, everyone who supported this cause were fulfilled and inspired...
and most of all the Lord our God has proven again that He is faithful.

Today, as I right this blog I would like to thank those people who believed, those who inspired us with their moral support, those who went out of the way just to make things easier for us, those who pulled something out of their pockets to donate to the building project of the Mangyan mission. I would like to thank those who touched the heart of God in prayer for the success of this ride. I honor my friend and brother, Bogs Manuela for everything, I can not say it enough. You know what it means, thank you brother!

I would like to thank my loving family who never doubted on me in spite of my health condition and gave me their undying support. For Ahlie for always being there for me and with me, for her big heart for the Mangyan tribes just like mine.

But above all, above everything, this is for Your glory my Lord! Thank you for allowing us to serve You.

If you enjoyed reading this you might like to see this blog also:

Bike And Beyond In Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Bike and Beyond in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

2012-02-21T09:59:00.001+08:00

Ernie and Ahlie Celebrates 18th Anniversary as Bike and Beyond in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

By Ernie Catanghal

By God's grace me and Ahlie has turned 18 last February 15 and we tried to make it a memorable one. We planned it to coincide with Bike and Beyond's charity project for the Mangyan tribal children of Mindoro. This kind of special project has been done already last year by yours truly where I have covered a total of 7,200 kilometers to campaign help for the poorest among the poor in the tribes of Mindoro.

INTRODUCTION

Just to give you an idea how Ahlie and I came up with the plan of how to celebrate our anniversary let me share to you a little about the ride-for-a-cause in this blog, but more of the chronicles of this bike event next time.

February 12, together with my very supportive friend and brother Bogs Manuela we set off for the planned duo ride. As mentioned this ride was intended to raise help for the Mangyan orphanage in Mindoro. Together we rode our folding bikes for six days straight from Pasig City (Manila) all the way to the northern tip of the country, Pagudpud of Ilocos Norte.

We started our ride early that Sunday morning with some of our biker friends. They offered to ride with us for one day. Our rally point was at Plaza Rizal in Pasig City and we have pedaled shoulder to shoulder all the way to Tarlac City which has totaled a distance of around 148 kilometers. After which the two of us were left there in Tarlac to continue and complete the remaining days of this long journey.

Left to right: Bernard Perez, Romy Marcelo, Allan Altamero, Bogs Manuela, Ernie Catanghal and Andy Intalan

The beautiful beach along the highway of San Esteban, Ilocos Sur

Ernie and Bogs at the famous Bangui Windmills.

Finally, the much awaited Pagudpud Arch of Ilocos Norte! This is the last town up north in the Philippines.

February 17, at around 1:48pm after six days Bogs and I have successfully reached Pagudpud with a total distance of 625.2 kilometers. We have fulfilled our commitment to help, we have done our little share. We are just hopeful that other people will also do as we are praying the bike distance will be fully sponsored by others donating to the cause.

THE VIGAN EXPERIENCE UNFOLDS

February 18, after that successful epic ride-for-a-cause it is then time to celebrate and meet my lovely wife Ahlie down at Vigan, Ilocos Norte. just a pedal back some 155kms from Pagudpud. Bogs went back with me to Vigan and from Vigan he took a bus back to Manila. So I was by myself by this time to wait for my wife as she took a bus from Manila to Vigan with her folding bike, of course. Since it was already past our real anniversary date this will be our special late celebration, as some would say: better late and special than just late. Around 6:45am at Vigan's Bus Terminal which is just beside the public market there I found her excitedly waiting for me with her folding bike (still folded) and all.

Ahlie's red folding bike is all set to roll now.

With no time wasted, as soon as we have unfolded her bike we rolled out to look for a good place to stay for just a couple of days. The bus terminal is just about 1.5 kilometers from the Heritage Village, the heart of tourism in Vigan and earlier while I was waiting for my wife I have already did some inquiries on places to stay. The locals have recommended a hotel with the cheapest price yet one of the most cozy one there, it is the Grandpa's Inn.

Both of us were so happy to ride our bikes through these Hispanic streets.

It was a lovely sight to see her bike in this very famous village.

Her first kalesa (a horse drawn carriage) encounter on Calle Liberation.

At the corner of Quirino Blvd. and Calle Bonifacio we found the Grandpa's Inn. This will be our home away from home for a while. We have checked in for an air-conditioned room for two with TV, toilet and bath, and breakfast all just for 1,780 pesos for a night of stay. This hotel is located right at the heart of the Heritage Village of Vigan, just perfectly accessible to everything.

The hotel lobby, very exquisite!

The interior of this hotel is very Spanish and they had a good selection of antique decors making every corner trully picture perfect. Once you are here you will never run out of spot to pose for a shot.

One of the best thing about this hotel is when the warm hotel staff offered us a safe bike parking space right at one corner of their lobby. With this we don't have to carry them all the way to our room or have to fold them every time. I can say this hotel is really bike-friendly, two thumbs up!

On the counter I placed all my latest epic ride collections: a lighthouse model of Burgos, a vintage clay bench of Vigan and the famous windmill of Bangui all from Ilocos, Philippines.

DAY 1

After securing our stuff inside the room we decided to start the day immediately and stretch a little by walking around this captivating place of Vigan. We went one street after the next and we had our hearts full, it was like walking inside a huge museum full of artifacts, just like that of The Venetian Hotel in Macau, China.

This old brick road was constructed in the early 1500's.

In front of the monument of Leona Florentino, a Filipino poet in the Spanish and Ilocano languages. She is considered as the "mother of Philippine women's literature" and the "bridge from oral to literary tradition".

The Vigan Cathedral

The Bell Tower of the Vigan Cathedral

Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia

Inside one of the many souvenir shops along the streets of Heritage Village.

The delectable "Sinanglao" of Ilocos for our lunch. It is like the Pinapaitan of Baguio City.

Another look at our hotel, this is time in the afternoon after we had some hefty lunch and a quick nap. We are setting out again to see more places this time. Two days of stay seems too brief to really enjoy the entire place. Gotta keep those precious moments pouring in.

Our folding bikes blended well in this hotel lobby.

Antique piano and some wind instruments on the wall makes this corner fit for a musician.

Vigan is a relatively small city with two hearts: the recreational and shopping area around the adjacent Plaza Salcedo and Plaza Burgos in the north, and the commercial centre around its public market down south. The mestizo district where the big Spanish houses are is focused along Plaridel and Mena Crisologo Streets, running south from Plaza Burgos towards the cemetery.The streets here are quite narrow because they were originally designed by the Spaniard builders for mere calesa, karwahe and kartilla which were the only mode of transportation at that time.

The brick road of Calle Mena Crisologo.

Shopper's Lane, you can get your all sorts of souvenirs here along the Calle Crisologo, they also have some restaurants and coffee nooks here. A cool place to chill while you shop.

Ahlie holding an antique "plantsa" or flat iron which was heated by charcoal that is placed inside its metal base. During that time when this type of flat iron is still in use you'd need at least two irons on the go together for an effective system: one in use, and one re-heating. Large households with servants had a special ironing-stove for this purpose. Some were fitted with slots for several irons, and a water-jug on top.

A view of another shop just right from inside a shop across the road.

Afternoon delight! It's chill time for both of us as we have already enjoyed doing some window shopping and have secured some pasalubong (take home presents) for our kids back home.

Enjoying the cool afternoon sun on an old bench along the street. What more could be better?

A sighting of another alien life form or could it be? A mountainbike parked inside one of the antique shops, definitely this bike is a standout as it doesn't blend well with woods and bricks.
Nevertheless it's still a beauty to the eye of a biker!

A collection of wooden gears which were typically used for crushing sugar canes during the Spanish Era. Today they are being used as garden or even indoor ornamental item.

Inside the Vigan Cathedral.

A stage in Plaza Salcedo for the Kannawidan Ylocos Festival.

February is the month of Ilocos Sur's "Kannawidan Ylocos Festival". Kannawidan means "traditions" and this province has so much richness in it when it comes to that. Vigan City is considered as the heart of rich traditions in the province. The event also has trade fair called the Partuat ken Patanor Trade Fair which showcased the products of the province such as longanisa, bagnet, garlic, bibingka, tinubong and many other foods including handicrafts.

The Vigan City Hall during day time in front of Salcedo Park.

The local mall in Vigan, the Plaza Maestro. This is where you can do your "modernized" shopping.

After seeing the nearby places by foot we then decided to hire a calesa for 150 pesos only per hour to tour us around other attractions in and around this vintage city. When the kalesa was introduced in the 18th century during the Spanish colonial period, it became one of the modes of transportation in the Philippines, especially for commerce. Rich Filipinos known as the ilustrados used the kalesa for personal travel as well as for the transport of goods to nearby areas. The "kutsero" or calesa driver serves also as our tour guide as he explains where we are and what we are seeing. The calesa runs at a fair speed of 10-15kph, just ideal for sight seeing speed.

We brought along with us a box of "bibingka", an Ilocano sticky rice cake to munch during the tour ride. I got this small box with 8 pieces of rice cake only for 65 pesos from Teongson Royal Bibingka near Cafe Leona.

Enshrined in the brick church is the miraculous and the greatly venerated image of the Nuestra Señora de Caridad, possibly the oldest Marian image in Ilocos. Unfortunately, the ivory parts of the 50-inch image (the head and hands) where stolen in 1928.

The all-brick Bantay Bell Tower that sits on top of the hill that is 200 meters from the church building.

A calesa looks like an inclined cart. It has two round wheels on each side and two rows of seats that can accommodate four persons. The driver sits on a block of wood located at the front of the cart near the horse.

The Crissologo Museum if the late Congressman Floro Crisologo who was assasinated inside the Vigan Cathedral.

Ahlie trying her hands on the late congressman's old typewriter. She was asking where's the monitor? Just kidding.

This is a "karwahe", used by the illustrados. A bigger version of the calesa with three rows of seats good for six persons. This cart is like a van to us nowadays. The smallest type of cart is called "kartilla".

At the sala of the late congessman.

After visiting some houses and museums we went to the local pottery shops in Pagburnayan. The root word “burnay” is an earthenware jar crafted by a potter’s hands with the aid of a potter’s wheel. It uses fine sand (anay) as a tempering material and fired at a high temperature in a huge brick-and-clay ground kiln that makes it is harder and more durable than other terra cotta. The local bagoong (fish sauce), sugarcane vinegar and basi wine would not taste as good if not fermented in stoneware “burnay” jars.

We visited one of the most famous potteries in the place, the Ruby Pottery which is owned and operated by Mr. Fidel Go, a direct descendant of the original Chinese potter who came to this town. Unfortunately, Mang Fidel was not around when we visited so we just decided we will just come back on our bikes the next day. For the meantime we were accomodated by one of his trusted workers, Bong-Bong. He took us to the pot making wheel and offered us a bench to sit on as we watch him demonstrate how to make a clay jar. Believe me, this is really good!

Bong Bong starting to work with a slump of clay.

His assistant started turning the stone wheel using his right foot as his right hand clings to a hanging metal ring which is used to prevent the person turning it from falling down as he exert some force in pushing the heavy stone turn table.

Bong Bong started the work by dipping his hands in water inside the jar beside him. This will keep his hands from sticking to the soft clay.

The clay started to take its form as Ahlie watches carefully, she will be next to make a clay jar.

Now it's her turn to do her own clay jar and she's loving it. She reminds me of Molly in the film Ghost characterized by Ms. Demi Moore. The only thing lacking is the background music of the Righteous Brothers , the ageless "Unchained Melody", ditto!

Pretty hands for a jar maker.

Now it's Sam's turn, err, I mean it's my turn to do my stuff hehehe.

Since I am not fond of conformity I want to do my own style, my own shape.

Boy, how I love doing this! I even asked Bong Bong if I can be an apprentice for a time in their pottery. I would really love to produce my own jar art.

The jars waiting for their turn in the kiln oven.

They are making both big jars and small ones of all sorts and shapes.

This is where they stock their raw materials, the dry clay or soil which were taken from the rice fields. Here the workers carefully condition the soil for consistency that will make it suitable for jar making.

This is where things get hotter, the pugon or oven, right down beneath us. These workers keep on throwing these fire woods to the fiery holes to keep the oven in an ideal temperature. They said the jars are cooked inside for 24 hours before they are cooled down for two weeks to make them ready for use. I swear this is not an easy job, it was really hot in here.

Right outside the work place there's a store where they sell their finished products. Ahlie is posing with the framed photos of the younger Mr. Fidel Go at work. On the table are some of his plaques and awards received in pot making.

Our next destination is the Hidden Garden which is just a few kilometers from the Ruby Pottery. The place is a must-see specially for those nature and plant lovers. They have a wide variety of plant and flower species inside, some portions are like a mini tropical forest while some corners are designed as Zen gardens. They sell their plants at the price starting with 20 pesos and up, and the place has coffee shops too that serves one of our favorites - the Vigan spacial empanada (a stuffed bread wrap).

An empanada maker. "EMPANADA" or empanar, meaning to wrap or coat in bread. Empanada is made by folding a dough or bread patty around the stuffing. The stuffing consist of Vigan sausage, grated papaya, boiled mongo beans and a fresh chicken egg. We bought a couple of special orders of this for us.

After the exotic garden experience our Kutsero took us to the local private zoo owned and operated by the governor of Ilocos Sur, Chavit Singson, the BALUARTE Zoo. The word "baluarte" means stronghold or fortress, a walled territory.

This is not Arabia, this is Vigan.

They got camels that you can ride for few pesos, sorry we missed to ask how much but feeding them is already exciting enough. These camels are dromedary type meaning they got one hump and they came from the desert regions of Arabia.

Ostriches are just walking and running around freely in this safari style zoo.

A deer for my dear!

The Shetland horses, they reminds me of the Hobbits in the Lord Of The Rings movie.

A ram is a very symbolic animal. It is known for strength, zealousness and purity.

They have several majestic Bengal tigers too.

From this point you can't help but to think of the Jurassic Park.

The wholesome-foursome! This Shetland type of horse breed are common in this zoo but the unusual thing about this picture is this black and white coated ram that sticks with these three cute horses wherever they go. If they walk the ram walk, when they stop it stops too. Maybe the ram thought he was a horse too.

The private "Yellow Submarine" of Gov. Chavit Singson, they also call it "The Treasure Hunter".

They got beautiful small to large "New World" birds too. A macaw parrot behind Ahlie is one of the attractions there for its flashy antics and friendliness. They got other bird species too which are all very tame, you can have them stand on your finger, arm or shoulder and take some pictures with them. Just don't feed them with your ears, okay?

Ahlie trying to do some tricks with these two giant birds. Ostrich is a flightless bird that has long neck and legs that help them to run as fast as 70kph top speed. They also own the biggest bird egg in our time.

The time for us to go back to the hotel has come so we went where our calesa was patiently waiting for us at the parking area. It was a sulit (worth it) calesa tour around Vigan! We were able to see all the beautiful tourist spots around in fashion and in less time.

Ahlie with our tour guide kutsero, Manong Chris. Salamat po ng marami (thank you very much)!

Back in Grandpa's Inn we just refreshed a little and changed the batteries of our digital camera. It was still early in the afternoon when we got back so we sat by the "sala" of the hotel at the second floor and tried to plan out what to do next for the remaining time of the day.

Ahlie suggested to have a little coffee break and it was great to know there's a Mocha Blend just a few steps away from the corener of Calle Crisologo. What a treat on a very gorgeous sunset brick road.

We matched our coffee with empanadas which we got from the Hidden Garden cafeteria a earlier. How we wish we can also get this Vigan empanada in Manila because it blends so well with coffee, we are already craving for it now as I write this blog.

Right after having some coffee break we dropped by Isands Souvenirs shop to look for a nice shirt for us. The last time we had a shirt from them was many years back in Baguio City.

It's time for our bikes to roll again as we took them outside for a little night ride around the Spanish village. The ambiance and the weather both provides a very cool romantic mood for bikers like us.

Right in front of our gorgeous hotel.

The old Singer Sewing Machine shop along Calle Bonifacio. We used to have a sawing machine like this when I was still little. I just can't forget when my little finger got caught by the needle, ouch!

In front of Vigan Cathedral, the darkness of the night and the dim street lights creates a very special effect to the eye. It creates a feeling of being back in time.

The Arzobispo Nueva Segovia building. Nueva Segovia is the name of the archdiocese now located in the venerable and historic town of Vigan in Ilocos Sur.

Sitting around Plaza Salcedo, the version of our Plaza Rizal in Pasig. But I should say our plaza in Pasig is more elaborate than this one but the monument in this Vigan plaza is authentically old from the Spanish era dating back 1500's.

The City Hall of Vigan at night.

Biking along the brick road of Calle Crisologo.

A very relaxing moment for us, just parking our bikes on the sidewalk and sitting on an antique bench.

After doing this unique and unforgettable night ride we dined at Uno Grille just in front of our hotel. We had pinakbet with "bagnet" (special Ilocos crispy pork belly) and Vigan langonisa (sausage) for dinner. We will never get tired of having these Ilocano specialties, tastes so differently good it will linger in your taste buds for a long time!

Before finally calling it a day we dropped our bikes in the hotel and went outside once more for a little late night walk. After 10pm the streets here in Heritage Village are already very quiet, shops closed, not so much people walking around and the streets are clear. We were able to gaze at the moonlight with so much bliss.

Only Calle Crisologo has very ample street lighting even beyond touring hours. The cool white lamp which is yellowish in color gives the street a more classic touch late at night. The rest have ordinary street lamps that are widely spaced from each other just like ordinary streets in Manila. With this open street we were able to set up our mini camera tripod and take some pictures of us with ease.

Finally the day is over, and it seemed like it was not just a day. We were so much filled with many pleasures just in a matter of a day. This place is very much blessed with so many special things. As we go back to our hotel we had a small chat nearby the "tisa" (red brick) window, and all our lips can say is, "thank you Lord for such a privilege to enjoy our time here in Vigan for our 18th Anniversary.

DAY 2

February 19, this is bike day! Wearing our Bike And Beyond shirt we headed to the hotel's dinning hall for our breakfast which is already inclusive in checking in. It is Sunday and we only have till 12 noon to explore further on our folding bikes.

These photos on canvas are all interesting as I couldn't help but to give a closer look.

My breakfast, it's fried garlic rice matched with Vigan langonisa with egg, tomatoes and atchara.

Ahlie's morning treat is fried garlic rice with tapa, egg, tomatoes and atchara.

As soon as we were done with our breakfast we headed south bound through Quirino Blvd. On this day we will be revisiting the Baluarte Zoo and the Ruby Pottery of Mr. Fidel Go.

Along the road we happen to pass by a car wash station and so I decided to give my bike a little bath since it got so dirty in our six day ordeal from Pasig to Pagudpud. Got to give him a little break for this bike day.

A well-deserved bike wash for my epic buddy.

Boy, what a relief!

Our friendly bike washers who gave my bike a very good treat.

Gotta keep moving. After the well-deserved wash we tried to trace our way back to Baluarte Zoo. It was good there were plenty of road signage along the way, finding it was cushy.

At the entrance of Baluarte Zoo, this time on bike.

Initially when we approached the main entrance the security personnel told us that bike is not allowed beyond the main hall and are supposed to be left in the parking space outside, but when we politely explained to them about the safety issues of our bikes and our intention of promoting bike tourism they immediately ushered us inside and even encouraged us to ride our bike around the zoo.

Inside the Zoo, the friendly staff allowed us to take our bikes inside.

See those freely roaming exotic birds around Ahlie and our bikes?

Bikers, welcome to Baluarte Zoo!

Gorgeous indeed!

Here bikes and wild animals do mix up well.

The ordinary zoo visit turned out to be a "BIKE SAFARI" experience.

This dromedary camel is always ready for a mugshot with us.

What an awesome experience for both of us. We never thought we can do a bike safari in Vigan. Ahlie really enjoyed riding along deers, ostriches, horses, lamas, camels, etc. If only every biker can experience this too...

Posing with some ancient British cannons.

The Lamas are Ahlie's favorite among all the animals here.

The treasured vessels: the governor's yellow submarine and our white and red folding bikes.

It's cookoo time! This macaw bird is truly a joy. All you got to this is raise your arm and the bird will easily hop into it. Just be sure you're skin is not that delicate because they got pretty long sharp claws.

This is Dante, the Zoo keeper who assisted us with these dazzling birds.

After that rare and unforgettable "bike safari" experience at the zoo we then continued our bike ride, this time to revisit the potteries.

Along the road we were enticed by this huge gorgeous old acacia tree which is by a stone bridge going to Calle Katipunan. We can't help but to stand by for a while and enjoy the view in front of us which is a wide rice field while cooling down to a very mild northern breeze. We tried to immagine I am Crisostomo Ibara and Ahlie is Maria Clara (on bikes).

“Burnay” technology was brought to Vigan by Chinese artisans, who, according to Vigan folk historian Damaso King, came from Kwi-Sao, Chun-chiu province in Mainland China. As such, it may have existed in the area even before the coming of the Spaniards in 1572. These Chinese artisans who set up this cottage industry depended on the natives for their clay supply and labor.

Mr. Fidel Go, owner of the Ruby Pottery and direct descendant of the first Chinese potter who came to Vigan, has his own account of the “burnay” industry’s history in Vigan. In 1998, he was one of the 100 Filipino artist given the Centennial Award, a once-in-a-lifetime recognition for local arists. The National Commission for Culture and Arts declared him as a National Folk Artist.

The tapayan is a big clay jar used to store liquids.

We had a great time talking to Mang Fidel as we had so much stories shared even beyond potteries and jar making. It was indeed an honor to chat and know a person like him. Before we leave Mang Fidel gave us a "pakimkim" (present) of three small uniquely shaped jars. We will trully cherish these priceless gifts. As we waved our hands goodbye to Mang Fidel we know in our hearts very well that we will never forget him, not in this lifetime.

It was almost noon time then, time has flown so fast! We have to rush back to the hotel to pack up our things for the scheduled 12:30pm bus trip to Manila. So hard to turn around and leave but we got to go.

Ahlie on the way back to the hotel through our favorite brick road, the Calle Crisologo.

Upon reaching the hotel we just put everything in our panniers and install them on our bikes and we are off to go. It was really easy to pack up since we have very few things with us in this trip, what was not easy for us to do is to leave because of how we were embraced by this city even just for a short while.

Just few more fixing and the bike is ready for the bus station.

Before leaving, the desk officer of Grandpa's Inn offered to take a picture of us in front of the hotel. This will be a picture to remember, a picture that will remind us of the richness and glory of this vintage city, the Heritage Village of Vigan.

At the Partas Bus Terminal, we were just on time as the bus to Manila was just about to leave. So we immediately folded our bikes and slid it in one of the bus' big compartments below together with our big panniers. This gave the people in the terminal a big surprise when our bikes suddenly transformed just like that, like the robots in the movie "Transformers", they can't help but to smile at us on how we did it.

Our bikes and bags neatly tucked inside the bus compartment.

As we boarded our bus what we can do is just to look back again and remember how good the Lord to us for the wonderful Vigan experience. Very brief yet so much filled with precious experiences. With our folding bikes it will always be easy to leave but it won't be easy to forget, so we pray that one day our bikes will roll us again back to this amazing city of Vigan.

Happy Anniversary Ahlie! May the Lord bless us always, to bike and beyond!

If you find this blog lovely you might be very interested to see this also:

A Bike Ride From Pasig To Pagudpud of Ilocos Norte For The Mangyan Tribes