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

"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.

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Bike And Beyond In Vigan, Ilocos Sur