Life's Journey on Two-wheels...

Hostage Crisis? No... Hostage Circus...

2010-08-23T06:22:00.000-07:00

Pasensya na, gusto ko lang maglabas ng sama ng loob...

Ukol ito sa katatapos lamang na... ehem... hostage drama sa Quirino grandstand kanina lamang.

Hostage drama... Hindi ba Hostage comedy? Parang Diine Comedy ni Dante Alighieri...

One word.... NAKAKAHIYA

Bakit hindi nadaan sa negosasyon...

Bakit ang SWAT e napakabagal...

Bakit ang simpleng pinto e hindi mabuksan...

Bakit mahinang lubid ang ginamit para hilahin ang naka solid bolt na pinto ng bus.

Bakit hindi agad tinawag ang Fire dept, para gamitan ng mga heavy duty door openers.

Bakit kulang ang gamit ng SWAT wala ba silang C4 mang lang pambukas ng mga salamin, pinto, bintana ng bus

Bakit hindi sila humingi ng tulong sa AFP para sa heavy firearms para mabuksan ang bus.

Bakit kelangang i-tear gas ang hostage taker PATI ANG MGA HOSTAGE!
At bakit hirap na hirap pa silang i-shoot ito sa loob... Bekbekan ba ito sa basketbol? pag hindi na shoot, meron ka pang isang tira?

Bakit hindi organized ang diskarte ng "SWAT" o "Commando" units nila (quoting from yahoo news)

Tapos...

Nakatsamba ang sniper...

PERO BAKIT NI SIMPLENG CROWD CONTROL E HINDI NILA MAAYOS!

Nakakahiya... On national TV broadcasted nation wide, or in some cases, worldwide...

Nakakahiya...

Hostage Crisis? no... it is a Hostage Circus...

Hay Pilipinas... kung di lang kita mahal... Hindi ko masasabing proud akong Pinoy...

A letter to a fallen brother... RIP Brent "Shinchan" Dizon

2010-08-16T09:56:00.000-07:00

Dude..

Though minsan lang tayo nagkasama... In a way I'm most disappointed by losingyou...

Naalala mo ba, yung 1st time ka na sumama sa Team MCP sa Marilaque... Ako yung unang nag-approach sa inyo ng kasama mong naka Fury... Nagpapahangin kayo ng gulong nun sa Shell Pugon. The day before, nag post ka sa thread ng Marilaque part (God knows when). Nag reply ako sa yo nun gusto mong sumama...

Naka stock pegs ka pa nga nun e, di ka pa nagbu-boomland. Tapos nung pababa tayo sumemplang ka pa ng diba... Ironic, unang sama mo sa min, unang beses ka bumili ng lote sa Marilaque, hehehe...

Tapos after that, bihira ka namin makita sa tambay nights sa Shell J. Vargas... Minsan sumusulopot sa Sunday rides... 2nd time kitang nakasama sa bakbakan sa twisties... Tapos nakikita kita sa Boomland Trackdays ng Newbies and Masters... I miss the old days...

Tapos there came a time na ako naman yung nawala sa Team MCP. For Personal reasons, had some problems... super lie low ako nun. Tapos yun naman ung time na active ka na sa tambay nights... Sabi ng ng misis mo kanina, yun na ata yung time na tumatakas ka sa gabi para makasama sa tambay ng Team MCP... kaso... wala ako nun...

Tapos nung nagpakita na ko ulit sa MCP, nagulat nga ko e, dahil nakasama na kita sa tambay...

2 tambay nights... inuman sa kina Carlo samay Kowloon... Sayang nga di ka nakasama sa Gumaca Ride... Di ko nakita kung pano mo laruin ang Marilaque... ang malupit na twisties sa Cavinti... gi ko nasilayan ang takbo ng Mamaw ng Crypton mo at yung mamaw mong knee drag...

2 tambay nights... for 2 weeks... nun lang kita nakasama... tapos yung huli e 3 days ago... yun na pala ang huling time na makakabonding kita bro...

Bitin e... unfair... bakit ganun... damn... damn... dapat di ka muna nauna sa min... dude... kinaya ng dibdib mo ang highspeed curves... hindi ko kaya yun... dude... matibay dibdib mo... tapos... sa asthma... damn... Dapat kasama ka pa namin ngayon...

kanina akala ko di ako iiyak... pero pare pumatak luha ko dahil wala ka na... so unfair man... you should be still here... dapat happenings ulit sa friday... dapat maka bonding pa kita sa isang malupit na North loop ng Team MCP...

damn...

Anways bro... Ganun talaga e... kung asan ka man... alam ko masaya ka dyan sa taas... walang pasaway dyan... walang hazards sa twisties dyan... Ride hard... RIDE FREE! ride free...

I'm gonna pray for you bro... we're all gonna pray for you... I'll see you when I get there.. I'll race your sportsbike with my cruiser... up there man... When I meet you up there...

We'll always remember you... And hope you watch us from above... Give my regards to Francis M... Kayo talagang mabubuting tao... favorite kayo ni Lord...

Dude... See ya later... Ride hard... ride free...

-jerkzzz2173

Mixed Feelings. Accident concerning my Dad

2009-12-20T21:09:00.000-08:00

First off... May Dad is a very modest gentleman, no vices, always on good terms wiht our neighbors, an amiable personality... He is not a boastful person, a very humble man. Never have I heard that he boasted anything to his friends and relatives (well maybe for onceonly, when I tooked the 8th place on the board exam, hehehe). His basic hobby is reading books and newspapers, a trait I proudly inherited from him. He drives our Adventure (pampasada) from time to time whenever usually 4 times a week, as a living.

He was e well disciplined driver , one thing you'll find rare these days, a master of defensive driving, and his usual city driving pace in around 40 kph to 60kph for tops... rarely does he goes for 80 kph, usually only on the freeways. A cautious driver... slowly but surely...

This was all from his story upon arriving home after the incident. It was fresh from his memory and he was still wearing his scary face mode, upon telling it... And it was obvious he needed an outlet by just telling it to us... hehe!

Dec. 19, 2009... Now here's what happened, he was about to make a left to enter our subdivision (he was about to head home) at around 11 AM. The usual courtesy, slow down gradually, lights on for the signal lights to the left, and he was at the left lane. If I know my Dad, he could have been running at around 30-20 slowing down. (as in napakabagal nya magpatakbo, pramis, kahit ako di ko ma-take...).

Upon hitting the brake to a full stop, to wait for the opposite lane to let him make the left turn, there it was, BLAG! A rider hit him from behind. From what my Dad said it was a light bump since there was only minimal damage on the bumper... But still enough to take the rider down... The bike was still "For Registration."

My Dad stepped down checked him out and he was shouted by the rider, "Bakit bigla kang pumreno!" My Dad, knowing him, is already upset on the bump, and was more agitated by the rider's attitude.

"E G@GO ka pala e! Kakaliwa ako Talagang Mame-mreno ako."

Then, there was this ranting, this and that, until the rider told him, "Bwenas ka di ako pumapatol sa matanda."

And there it was, after those words, and exactly right after the removal of his helmet, gave him a right hook straight on the face... Probably after murmuring "Di ka pala pumapatol sa matanda a, etong sa yo!" (He really told us this!) LOLZ

I didn't ask for more details coz my dad still has his scary face on... hehe! But I know it was a strong right hook... My older brother can attest to that due to some past incident. After that hit, he may have been down on one or maybe followed by another... I didn't really dared to ask for more...

After that little melee, my Dad just left him there and entered the subdivision. The security guards were oblivious of the situation just beyond the subdivision gates. They were sulking inside their bunkers just waiting for the day to end...
Onlookers just probably watched and thought "Ang lakas ni tatang a..."

Oh.. I forgot, My Dad is already 62, the rider is around 24, as estimated by my Dad. My Dad is well around 5'6" to 5'8" moderately built, just a little bit fat (or mabe just sagging muscles due to old age). No vices, keeps a healthy diet, drinks tea not coffee... But no more black hair... all gray and curly hair.

Mixed feelings... Emotionally, fear, excitement and joy... Psychologically, my Dad hit a fellow rider... A fellow rider... maybe pasaway or a newbie... Can't really say... But it was unlucky for him to encounter my Dad.

After that brief story of him, I felt myself grow back to the age of 13 years old... thinking like... "Katakot pala si Daddy..." hehehe. Lasted only for a while, and then I returned to earth... hehehhe!

I could have posted it here right then and there... But then I was still mixed feelings. hehe! Now I just wanna share this... Not to advertise my superDad, bt to see What would you feel? hehehe!

But honestly, I' happy that my Dad's safe, and Proud that he can still kick @SS at the age of past 60. hehehe!

Wala kayo sa tatay ko... hehehehe!

A littlebreak wouldn't hurt. heheh!

2009-12-09T18:26:00.000-08:00

This particular site http://theoatmeal.com/ was shared to my by my buddy Allen, and well it's a fun site and definitely took away some of my stress. It has some quirky quizzes that I found interesting and I thought it might be a good idea to share some of my experience of it. hehhee!

A little break won't hurt, ayt?

Created by Oatmeal

Will beat 84,722 times, pump 1,243 gallons of blood, and push that blood nearly 11,378 miles throughout my body!

Created by MyFitnessPal.com

The site offers lots of interesting topics... i suggest you try it... A little break wouldn't hurt.. hehe!

Manila-Matnog-Manila in 24 hrs... Here's my story...

2009-12-01T17:25:00.000-08:00

There was this thread on the ride and touring section of motorcyclephilippines.com/forums/ regarding an open endurance ride for Manila-Matnog-Manil in 24 hours. I've already been hearing rumors about this and was interested to join yet somewhat doubtful about it. Financially, I was still unsure, and I haven't done a long ride for quite some time. But deep inside, I consider it a challenge and I wanted to do it.

So, I signed up for the ride. Then there was this pre-ride meeting for us to toalk about how we are to do about this challenge run. I attended, still doubtful if I will join, but still interested to know what ill go around the meeting. For a while I thought that I don't belong on this meeting since I was the youngest, and It seems like in their eyes, I'm still a greenhorn. I brushed that insecurities aside, listened to their plans and occasional jokes, I stayed quite silent most of the time, joining the conversation once in a while. After the meeting was over, I realized that there were only few of us who will do this. So i decided to push through with this, no matter what they think of me, no matter if my bike's the underdog of the pack. I just want to do it, face the challenge, prove myself to the big guys.

Pre-ride meeting. From left, sir Tito, Ms Teth (wasn't able to join the ride), myself, sir Digger, sir Jiggy, sir YBR1

Estimated distance Matrix.

My only problem was financial. the ride will take place on 12MN of Friday switching to Saturday. Usually, our payslips are given on a Friday and our ATM's are updated on a Saturday. And I needed to change my tires badly before Saturday, and I still don't have enough money. Luckily, (as if by fate) our payslips were given on Thursday, giving me instant cash on Friday! I took a leave on Friday, prepped my bike, myself and bought the necessities for the ride. Went to sleep at 3PM on friday, woke up at 8PM.

Petron McKinley(C-5)... Our meeting place as well as our starting point. I arrived first at 11 PM (Nov 27, Friday) together with two of my friends. We were scheduled to take off at exactly 12 MN (technically, Saturday). Sir Jobert, arrived next. He was to be the coordinator of the ride. Supposedly, he would ride with us but, due to his doctor's orders, he was forbidden to join. Next to come was sir Tito on his Hayate125, sir Digger on his CBR150, sir Jiggy on his SYM UB, and Mench on her Rouser200. Sir Jake arrived last on his Barako175.

We all took off at 12.01 (except YBR1). Sir YBR1 caught up with us on Sucat. Every thing was going well except for the massive traffic from Calamba all the way to Alaminos... (There was a truck mishap) from Calamba, sir Jake and Mench was with me... From Alaminos, sir Jake got separated because of his HID problem... The rest was separated ahead of us since they were running at a faster pace.

Mench and I hammered all the way until Sariaya. We were running at 80-90kph. From Sariaya, Mench got separated from me since I was a quite aggressive in overtakes, and Mench was a more cautious rider than I.

My Gameplan

My first Gas stop is in Lucena and according to my data, I am 26 mins late (I think). I don't know the shortcut going to Tayabas and come out of Pagbilao, so I took the longer route entering Lucena Diversion road.

After that, passing Pagbilao was a nightmare on my ass and arms... the roads were bumpy with asphalt patches. Then I got lost and entered Bontoc Peninsula. To those familiar, the fork entry to Bontoc Peninsula is similar to the fork entry to EME (short bitukang manok). I overtook a van, didn't see the signs, end entered at the wrong fork. The Fork going to EME was right after that.

At firs I thought I was on the right track since the first set of curves was similar to that of EME, then I realized may folly 30 mins after... So I just kept going since I know I'd have to end up somewhere... Hopefully...

On a tight set of twisties I encountered my spill... Luckily it was a down hill very tight curve so I was taking it slow (20kph I think). No throttle, just braking slightly to slow down I didn't notice a small patch of sand in the middle of the road.. exactly at my line. Crash!!! No major injuries just a little muscle pain on my right arm, and my helmet saves the day again as my right temple slammed on the asphalt. Bike damages were just a few scratches. My pegs, side mirrors, handle bars, rear handle bars saved my bike's fairings...

Then I pushed on... asked some locals for the right direction (after checking meticulously that they're human, hehehe it was 2AM then, scary). They pointed me out to the fork going to Gumaca. To those familiar, I entered the towns (if I remember the names correctly) Agdanganan, Unisan, another town that I don't remember. But I was sure that it was Bontoc Peninsula since I've read somewhere online regarding the beautiful twisties off Gumaca. And it was a really good set of twisties, the road was smooth. The problem is it was dark and it was my first time there... on a lost condition, so I wasn't able to hammer down on it like I do on Marilaque.

Arriving in Gumaca town proper, I stopped and ate my first Snickers choco bar (I was running on sugar all the way! no meal stops!) Still had enough gas to push through until Calauag, where I met up with Jiggy and Mench.

In Calauag, I was 1 hr late in accordance to my target time. Since Mench was now together with Jiggy, I decided to push through already while they were taking their weewee break. I seriously had to recover lost time.

Next stop was Sipocot where, reduced my time differential from 1 hr to 45 mins delay. It was 6:45 AM (I think). I wasn't able to hammer down on Quirino highway (which is indeed fixed real good!) since the road was moist from condensed fog and light drizzle... A formula for slippery surface.

Next stop was the long run to Daraga! Upon arriving, I was able to reduce my time differential to 15 mins! I made good use of the sunshine, dry roads, and long stretches. I was able to hammer down again at 80-90 kph. 100kph on a few good flats and downhill sections.

Mayon volcano. View from Ligao, Albay. Right before Daraga.

From Shell Daraga I was now 15 mins ahead of target time. I arrived there at 8:30 (I think). continued on the challenging twisties of Sorsogon, reached Seaoil Irosin at 15 mins ahead of target time. Reached Matnog at exactly 11:00. Took another Snickers Bar (yeah sugar power!), and a hard boiled egg (for the blood to go burning baby!), took a smoke finished it halfway and took off.

Views from Sorsogon

Crabhouse

Sorsogon Welcome Arch

Our Turnaround point. Matnog Pier Arch

Seaoil Irosin, again. At this time I realized that sir Jobert was monitoring our movement and was needing info from me. I really didn't bother texting (not my habit, hehe) since I thought I was only supposed to text sir sir Jobert if there was trouble. Up on my crash earlier I didn't bother texting since It was minor and I was still up and running.

Too bad I wasn't able to reply since there was no signal for Sun Cellular... That's why sir Jobert was only able to make updates of me on Daraga already, where I gassed up at Shell.

As sir Jobert stated, I pushed through all the way to Sipocot, skipping Naga where sir Jake rests, as I told sir Jobert thru text. I was serious in making good use of daylight go back as fast as possible.

Petron Sipocot, I met up with sir Tito, we were 20 mins ahead of target time so we took some time to have a break. In Petron Sipocot I saw the Kawasaki Rider's Club of the Philippines (KRCP), IT Riders Philippines (ITRP), and some of sir Tito's friends riding in badass Harleys on apebars. (deymn, I wish had one of those!)

sir Tito and I left together but since his Hayate 125 was a monster, I had let him take the lead and go at his own monster pace. Back then If I could only spank my Wave to go faster I'll do it, hehehe!

I reached Calauag only mins ahead of time, at around 5:45 (I think), just took gas and just went on. I didn't bother texting sir Jobert at this time coz I was already tired and I just wanted to go ahead right after filling up for gas.

Before reaching Gumaca, nasty rain slowed down my pace... Lights refracted on my helmet's lens so visual was too low. I was only able to hammer down at 60 kph. Fortunately, weather was good again right after the Gumaca Pier. There I hammered down hard! Good thing there was this truck ahead of me which was way fast! He was hammering at 80-100 kph, he only slowed down a little on the curves. I used his pace and movement to my advantage. He was a perfect spear head.

Upon entering EME (finally I got it right this time), I was thankful that the flashlight people was still there... I took the course slow and steady since the pavement seems moist and slippery.

Reached Lucena at around 7:45 PM (still in time), texted sir Jobert regarding my status, took a rest ate up another snickers bar (Sugar power!), took my first Bacchus just to make sure, took a smoke. and rest my tired body for a while.

On the final run back, traffic was good all the way to Calamba. But upon entry to Calamba (past the SLEX exit) is where my nightmare started. I was tired and irritated already, and traffic had to add insult to injury. At this point I did to be a bit more aggressive than usual. I badly needed it since I was gunning to return at an earlier time. I was a good thing that my computation from Lucena-Manila was a generous 4 hrs allowance.

So that is that, I arrived at around 11 PM (I think), and was surprised at the welcoming party... I was very much thankful for my friends who welcomed me back. My friends at Team MCP, all of them gave me a warm welcome. It was stress relieving.

Ahead of me on the finish line were sir Digger, sir YBR1 (we used our forum handle names most of the time), sir Tito. Also our ride coordinator sir Jobert, was present, verifying our accomplishment. Sir Jake arrived next only minutes after my arrival. Shared some stories bust most of us needed one thing... rest.

My formula for finishing this run... A good rest for preparation, stress tabs for every 8 hrs of travel... Snickers bars for the hunger, I didn't take any meals since I know it would make me feel sleepy. Gatorade to replenish liquids plus the necessary nutrients, water... And energy drink only for the final leg of the travel.

What I lack in bike performance, ride experience, and fuel tank capacity, I make up for Youthful energy and passion for riding! I still love my bike, kahit na underdog ang Wave ko. hehehehe! Ride Safe Always!

Spreading My Wings...

2009-11-23T17:52:00.000-08:00

I've been riding my motorcycle for only 2 years... I have traveled 40,000 kms through that time. From the start to abouth 6 months, I've nbeen just your average everyday rider. To and from the office, every day. No groups, no joyrides, nothing special. I haven't heard of MCP back then.

After that period, I came to be introduced to one of the local riders club near our vicinity. I happen to gain new frinds, new stories, more roads to be traveled. It was a good experience. It seemed to me like I was starting to grow with my bike. My wings have grown longer... wider...

It lasted for almost a year, we went riding to some places. But most things doesn't last forever. At that time I started to be fascinated by the online world of MCP. Learned of faraway ride destinations, more informations regarding motorcycling and the motorcycling community. I started to feel the need to expand my horizons. My current rider's club back then gradually started to become an unseen cage for me. I want to go out, I want to learn more, see more sights, meet more people. I wanted to fly higher...

And so it was, I left the group. and it left a bad taste on me for it wasn't a healthy separation... Other issues were brewing internally on our club and it added to my will to leave the group. But I had no regrets then. It was a decision that I faced. It realized that I was flying high, but i didn't notice that I was alone... And it wasn't all fun as much as i expected it to be.

I still had some of my buddies with me, who also left the group on their own accord. But they were not willing to fly where I want to fly... I was starting to feel a little bit of regret. I thought that it would've been better the other way around. But I didn't budge, I stood with my decision, no turning back. I just need to be little bit patient. I perched myself at a high place, looked around and waited...

I was still enthralled with MCP, as always, for it lessened some of my loneliness. See, I had this trouble with meeting personally with forumers I know only online. Let's just say I still consider them as strangers of sorts. May it be paranoia or just plain stupidity, I call it security. But I need companions, so I set that aside, and met up with people during one of those "Tambay Nights." And, It was worth it. I met new friends, good companions, and with similar wings as mine... Some of them even have stronger passion than myself, and it made me inspired. We took off... High, fast, and steady. It was a good exoerience... I'm finally with a flock.

Last Sunday (22 Nov 09), we rode to the most popular riding destinations - the Marilaque twisties. We were quite a big pack, 13 bikes, 13 riders. It was fun, though we had some casualties. Two spills, both minor injuries; and a mechanical breakdown of a bike. It should somhow dampen the fun of it, but no. I saw the bond between us. All for one, one for all. No one is left behind. I finally have a new group. It was just an informal group, but still I found where I belong once again. I don't know how long it will last, but I will enjoy every moment of it.

On this coming Sunday I'll try my luck on the tracks. It is a new experience for me. Also it is another opportunity to meet new friends whom I know online. But now I no longer have the jitters. I have the confidence, and I look at it for the fun, rather than the worries. I know that I'll have a good weekend and rest assured after that, there will be a new update on my blog. I can't wait!

So that's it for now, just sharing my life's journey... on two-wheels! Ride safe always everyone!

A new beginning... Online...

2009-11-18T17:02:00.000-08:00

Blogging has never been a usual habit of mine. It has entered my mind once in a while, but never really paid attention to it. A thread topic @ www.motorcyclephilippines.com (http://www.motorcyclephilippines.com/forums/showthread.php?t=195737) made me create my own blogsite, well, because someone needs it. And as a usual friendly-online-neighborhood rider, I feel that I would like to help.

I have never been that much of a writer. Grammar is not the usual forte of an engineering graduate. So please bear with me if I may have gotten things wrong in terms of grammar.

I make this my first entry as an introduction to share stories of my travels, my love for my bike, and how my bike helps me move on with life. My bike sometimes makes my worries go away... though it sometimes gives me a headache when it comes to maintenance. Maybe it is a give and take relationship, hehe!

Anyways, to those who may read this blog, thank you for taking your time reading it. Next time I will share more interesting stories. And hopefully my writing skills may increase as time moves on. Next time, I'll try to make my blogs more interesting and fruitful in any aspect possible. Good day.