THE GIFT OF BIKE

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.

The Journey Under The Beacon Light

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.

To Bike Or Not To Bike

TO BIKE OR NOT TO BIKE: Will You Care To Understand?

By ERNIE CATANGHAL

Every time I visit FB pages of bikers and bike groups I see myself years before, just like them with so much vigor, fire in their eyes, smiles in their face, enjoying every stride, every distance, every destination. And sometimes I can't help but to envy them. Because that kind of a biker is just a shadow of the past for me. I am not saying I do not enjoy biking anymore but what I mean is I have changed a lot not in heart but in capacity to do what I love to do. I have been sick through the years as some people have known and just the same it was my bike who was by my side through those battles sharing with me all the scars and happiness.

As I have journeyed through the years some people have seen my predicament, my fight and my high hopes, my faith in God. They learned, they shared some laughter and tears, some pity me while some were inspired. But above all people has known me as a biker with an advocacy, always bringing some cause to my rides. But the years of fighting has taken so much toll on me, as the level of pain I experience every time I ride has grown so fast that I already find it strange to pedal with ease. My head and my body most of the time has been bursting in pain every saddle time. It seems biking is like "Via Dolorosa" for me.

Looking deep inside, I am battling so hard. But I can't just cry out. People are fighting their own battles because they see me how to stand and fight. People are smiling because they see the joy in my spirit. People started to care because they see me serve. People are getting together because they see me around. But of the same people some can't just understand, some can't just accept, some can't just afford. For them I can't falter, for them I can't quit. But how will they understand?

Today, when I look around I see a closing curtain, a fading light, and some faces who cared to stand with me through it all. This is a defining moment for me and for the people I so called "friends", how shall we welcome the turning of the tide. I still bike, because that's what I love doing. But not the way like I do before. I have shifted on lower gears, but rolling still none the less. Maximizing my time with the people who are dearest to me. Still trying to pull the same passion for benevolence, sharing some love in every stride.

So I still push harder for the coming days as I will traverse the western side of Luzon from my place all the way to the tip of the island, Pagudpud of Ilocos Norte. It might not be a strange feat after all, some might have done it once or more before in far better passion, stronger, longer and faster if I may say. But still I am doing this for one same reason, to raise awareness and some help for the desolate people of the tribes, the people I have been sharing my life with for the past thirteen years, the Mangyans of Mindoro. Together with a friend I will bike the distance once more in spite of my condition, not to prove anything, not to gratify oneself. But I will bike once again to humble myself in their sufferings and to lift myself in their dreams and inspirations. I will bike again because I love them.