M R O : National information drive : Huge success !!!

September 26, 8:00 pm

About ready to leave the house to head towards UP and my appointment with the UP Chapel priests who will do a pray over for the event till morning. A few days back, I have told them about out battle against discrimination and that I was going to give a speech to the people who were affected and thousands if not millions more on TV, Newspapers and Radio. So I geared up, got all the papers I printed, got my helmet and went out.

As I stepped out and looked at the sky, I wished that it stayed dry all throughout.

9:00 pm

I got to the chapel and there were three priests waiting for me. They asked me to bring my stuff into a small prayer room where there was some coffee, sandwiches and cookies on the side. They served me coffee for what it seems is going to be one of my longest nights ever. While I was drinking, the priests asked about the event and what we were all fighting for. So I explained everything. While I was talking to them about it, I notice the two priests holding their scapulars and their rosaries and was already praying silently as I was talking to the third priest about what we are fighting for.

The conversation went on through the night as we exchanged thoughts and ideas about the issue.

3:00 am

My worst fear started to happen when I heard the rain falling down. One of the priests said, don’t worry, God is blessing the streets so that everybody will have a safe ride. I relaxed a little after hearing that.

4:00 am

I was getting a little worried again because I could still hear the rain falling. I was near the end of arranging all the documents I had to bring in case a press conference was going to happen. You’ll never know. I was getting more and more nervous as I had fears of the turnout of the motorcade. I just kept on praying. Then a priest brought in a small mattress and a pillow and told me to rest up. They had me lay down and surprisingly, I was in a state of calmness and dozed off into lala land.

7:15 am

The priests woke me up and gave me a cup of tea instead of coffee this time. They said it would give me a better feeling. To my surprise, the rain stopped and the sun was showing it’s face ever so slightly. It felt good and I got excited to see that the weather was cooperating with us. As they walked me out of the chapel and into the place where I parked my bike, I felt relieved. They did a quick blessing ceremony as I was sitting on it. They even blessed my helmet! After a few pats on the back and a good luck from the eldest priest, I started my bike, waved and went on my way.

7:45 am

I was already in Riverbanks mall. Upon seeing that there was nobody there, I proceeded to Shell J. Vargas.

8:00 am

Upon reaching shell, I saw this PGO scooter and a familiar face. It was the camera man of Bikes and he was with a few people. I parked my scooter right beside their van, got my gears off and greeted them. I finally got to meet Sonicboom from the forums! Another big guy was with them who apparently owned the scooter. I was then told that they will be riding with us to cover the whole event from beginning till end. There was a few more people on the side of select so I greeted them and thanked them for joining in.

8:30 am

A few more people started to come in so I took out my ribbons and scissors in case some of them needed more on their bikes. I also fixed and added more ribbons on mine. As I waited for the participants to arrive slowly but surely, I kept wondering where the other groups were. I was sort of expecting a few more from the texts and calls I received the past couple of days before this event. Then, iceroland of HeadStart arrived on his tiny mio sporty. He just came all the way from Pampanga just to cover this event for their show. He told me that he had left a good friend to attend and supervise the motorcade back there. They were expecting a few hundred bikes and cagers to attend the motorcade.

9:00 am

I was already frantically calling the MRO lieutenants back and forth to check on their status and head count. Astek reported a good number. They were already brewing close to a hundred riders already. My first call to don was just a few bikers but the last time I called him, he said there were about 50+ already and they were doing a photo op on site. As for the Cavite group, they have already filled up their meeting place with close to 300 riders! I wish I saw the sheer number of that single group. The Marikina boys also started to arrive. Familiar face since I live in Marikina and a couple of them I have been with for some time already, Ai2 decals and Gani of Santos motorcycle shop.

Then I get a surprising call. Daniel Sunga of the Davao Aguila Riders was on the other line. He asked me the plans for today and that he was also preparing his area in Davao but will be doing the motorcade in the afternoon when he arrives there. I told him that it doesn’t matter what time they do it as long as they do it on this momentous day. He gave his words of encouragement and we exchanged our thank you’s before saying goodbye. I was in total awe from the call and was really happy that one of the most active groups in this fight against the AO gave me a call and told me that he was fully supportive of the MRO. I felt really good after that. Then more and more calls came in from different parts of the country who were reporting in and telling me their projected head count. Then I realized, we have done what we hoped to do. To turn this event into a nationwide, simultaneous motorcade!

9:30 am

I told the group to get ready as we were leaving in 15 minutes. I gassed up and packed my things and talked to the Club 1600 representatives about their plan to go around Pasig to distribute flyers and ribbons. After the short conversation, I called the group together and asked to have a short prayer. A fine man took centre stand and led this wonderful prayer for all of us. I am truly sorry for forgetting your name but you know who you are. Thank you! I then assigned one of the PSRC riders, Jonbaq to spear head the group as I was going to be marshal. I went to one of the Marikina riders, Gani, and assigned him to sweep for us. I then signalled the group to mount up and to get ready to roll out. Before mounting my bike, Sonicboom walked to me and greeted me good luck as he was on his way to another event.

10:00 am

We left J Vargas as a small group of about 20 riders and their back rides and headed off towards Meralco Avenue to get to Ortigas. At first, it was a little disorganized especially when we got to Ortigas where the traffic was so bad. When we crossed EDSA, I signalled our spearhed to do a one lane slow run and stop whenever the traffic in front stops. Before reaching the Greenhills proper, we were one group and the motorcade, although small, now looked organized. We formed a 2 bike abreast formation that extended about 3 car lengths. We rode from Ortigas, onto Balete Drive and we turned right at E. Rodriguez. The sun was high and mighty and I was concerned about the heat getting to the group. So I checked up on them periodically and made sure everybody was alright. As we exited E. Rodriguez, and made our U turn near Welcome Rotonda, I realized that we were already half way through our ride and was nearing our destination.

As we hit Espana, we saw from a distance a huge operation. Men in black shirts with yellow markings on their backs were all over the place. I signalled the group and pointed at the LTO Officers conducting an operation right there along Espana Road! Then the traffic had us stop right at the centre of the place where they were conducting what it seemed like, plate removal from vehicles! I got nervous. So I signalled iceroland to get his camera ready and to shove his camera on their faces when they attempt to apprehend us. As we were patiently waiting for the traffic to move, the chief of the operations, wearing a light blue polo started to walk towards us. I told myself, this is it. Drama! To my astonishment, he just walked through the middle of our motorcade, glaring at the bikes and staring specifically at the loud ones and the ribbons attached to the bikes. He stepped up on the island and took another look at us and crossed towards the other side. He let us go! As we were about to move, I noticed a stack of motorcycle plates on the sidewalk and a few more that one of the guys in black was holding. I felt sorry for the people who got caught and got their plates removed that day. If you are one of them, you should contact me asap!

At this point, my cellphone was already dead and I couldn’t tell the time anymore. As we crossed the cut off to head to head towards Quiapo church, my heart was beating faster and faster. I was praying at this point and asking God to ensure the safety of the riders and that the bigger group of don pangan to be let through the LTO operation in Espana.

As we approached Quiapo, there was a lot of traffic in the area and all I can see were busses and jeeps. I was hoping that we weren’t the first group to arrive since our group was pretty small. When we got to the church, I was astounded by the sheer number of bikes lined up in front of the park. There were layers and layers of bikes all over the place! As I weaved through and found myself a spot inside the park, I let of a sigh of relief as I see over 150 bikes already there on site! People were cheering at every bike arriving and joining us inside the park. It was a sight to behold at least for me.

After a few minutes, don pangan’s group arrived and now, the place was filled up!!! I could say that the number was about 300+ bikes and the plaza was filled up by about 70-75%. I was getting emotional at this point. I said to myself, we have pulled it off. We have done what we have set up to do.

The interviews started almost instantaneously, with people gathering up from all sides trying to catch a glimpse of what is happening and trying to listen in to the message I was trying to deliver on camera. After the interview, I immediately called on don to rally up the press people so we can begin. The press had us positioned for a photo op and got close-ups of bikes with the banners and placards and the entire group with their hands and helmets raised up in the air. After the short photo-ops, I then called upon the riders to assemble for the delivery of the official statement that we wanted the whole nation to hear. As I introduced myself to the people, my heart was thumping over time. I told them that I was happy to see all of them and that I am at a loss of words at what I was looking. The emotions were all over the place and I could feel the energy generating from every rider who came.

As I started the speech, I couldn’t help feel nauseous probably because of the heat of the sun. I tried my best to shout out the statement so that everybody could hear it. As I was reading through, there was a few times where I felt breaking down. I tried my best to keep my composure and kept on reading at the top of my lungs. A few tears let go and I hoped the crown didn’t notice the difference from the sweat flowing from my face. As I got near the end of my speech, I said to myself, I hope we get a good response. After saying the last lines of the statement, the roar of the crowd hit me like an invisible tsunami. People shouting, clapping and cheering all over the place. Then I delivered the last piece of news I had for them. I told them that the LTO has once again opened their doors to us and have invited the participants of the first workshop back for the review of the AO. People started to cheer as they heard the news and it was a sign that what we have been doing is taking effect and is making the LTO realize what they were doing. I then started to deliver the message for the MRO and how we need their continued support in preparation for the worst that may happen. I told them that the registration of the organization is on its last leg and that we would be accepting donations in preparation for the case that we will be filing in case the LTO doesn’t heed our call and grievances. The people showed tremendous support and they were told about the future of the MRO and what we intend to do and how we intend to do it. After a last hurrah from the crowd, we ended the motorcade in a blast of cheers and claps.

This is when I realized that what we have started and what we have done as taken its effect and has gained enough momentum to unify the community. I wish to thank all those who came and who has supported us in this fight. I wish to congratulate the organizers of each area who participated and did their own motorcades in their vicinity. I wish to tell everybody who has spear headed, sweeped and marshalled the event, a good job!

Again, thank you! On behalf of the MRO and MAP, MARAMING MARAMING SALAMAT PO!!! MABUHAY PO TAYONG LAHAT!!! WE WILL PREVAIL!!!