PERIGRINATIO RELIGIOSA 2018

Bike with Mother Mary Bike for Peace

Flashback, Days before the Pilgrimage:

“If we weren’t just more than half-way of all the climbs Buddy in last year pilgrimage, I could have back tracked home to Villanueva to enjoy the seven (7) kilometers winding descend along Kalingagan because in the steep climb before Doalnarra Areas my legs were no longer responding to what my brain dictated them, to spin.

Indeed, I was totally drained and likewise too disgusted why I couldn’t anymore spin the 28 x 32 small chain wheel of my MTB despite I have been biking since 2001 and competed in races. But the truth Buddy, I wasn’t able to tackle properly the climbs, although I have been long in the sports because I have been inactive in the sports for almost six months. I had a tune-up ride for only three days before the pilgrimage. So, that’s it you pushed me.

It’s good Buddy that you told me to rest for a while and allowed me to eat your chocolates, took your electrolytes. It did really great wonders more so when I emptied your energy drink bottle, I was rejuvenated after burping heavily.”

His Buddy said, “I told you Buddy that you can make it. You survived because you listened to my coaching, you didn’t quit but struggled your way along the 70 kilometer stretch from Caveria to Anakan.”

“Well thank you for pushing me in the steep climbs, Buddy”. "Welcome Buddy, but I won't push you anymore on October 30." He.he.

“This forthcoming pilgrimage Buddy, I promise I can ride well unlike before, I lost weight because of my consistent practice”, said the Big Brother.  “Is that so Buddy? But it seems your stomach is still bulging. If you’re practicing at least it won’t bulged that much,” he remarked amusingly. 

His Big Brother said, “Yes, it’s bulging a little bit but just see me in the climbs.” He further argued, “You know Buddy, although we are both bikers, I focused on Mountain Biking and not on road cycling. You’re an avid road biker aside from being a mountain biker too. You usually hold your road bike’s bar below to maintain an aero-dynamic position always that is why your “tommy” is more flattened than mine. Mountain Biking doesn’t require much aero-dynamic position not even during descends, but more or less only to a nearly upright position. Thus, my “tommy” is not so flattened than yours because of this reason aside from the truth that I eat much than you do, Buddy.”

His cycling Buddy just smiled and said, “So, I’ll see you in the climbs, I’ll drop you there, Buddy.” “No, you can’t”, answered the Big Brother.

Backgrounder:

In 2017, the first pilgrimage ride was on October 31 along Claveria-Gingoog road with the finish line in Anakan, Gingoog City.  It went east, now it moves a bit to the west. Today’s finish line is in Medina, Misamis Oriental at the parish of San Isidro Labrador.

On the pilgrimage day, of course, we do not know how the weather would be. But a weather bulletin was already issued by the Weather Bureau in El Salvador City that tropical storm “Rosita” is expected to landfall in the northernmost part of the country. Even if it would be far north, we do not know if there will be no weather disturbances here, despite the pilgrimage area is located in northern Mindanao in Misamis Oriental and much far away from Cagayan Valley.

Would the upcoming pilgrimage be like last year when it was gloomy, but it did not rain, or would it be too hot this year? Of course, this, we do not know yet. Rain or no rain, gloomy or in scorching heat of the sun, the pilgrim bikers are prepared for any of this eventuality and whatever would be the weather that day, it would not matter much, so long as they could still consistently spin their wheels and breath the thin air along the Balatukan-Sumagaya-Lumot mountain passes in the 74Km stretch of National Route (N955) from Villanueva-Claveria-Gingoog Road, the secondary highway route of the Iligan-Butuan Highway. 

The 2018 Pilgrimage:

This year’s concluded bike pilgrimage was held on October 30, 2018 which ACDO Bikers (Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro) organized. It was the second edition of “Bike with Mother Mary, Bike for Peace” a pilgrimage ride to country-cross Claveria to Gingoog through National Route (N955).

This unique expression of piety on bike signifies the culmination of the Holy Rosary Month. The pilgrims converged at the parish ground of our Lady of Lourdes in Claveria with Fr. Joel Lusat as Parish Priest.

There were seven biker priests and another thirty recreational or competitive bikers plus an entourage of twelve back-up vehicles boarded by laymen from the different parishes at the staging point.

It is never strange for bikers or bikes to be associated with Mother Mary because in Northern Italy alone, the Madonna del Ghisallo – Our Lady of Ghisallo in Magreglio near Lake Como, has been a bike pilgrimage destination ever since.  For that, Pope Pius XII in 1949 in response to the request of local priest, made the Madonna of Ghisallo as the Patroness of Cyclists because hundreds or thousands of pilgrim bikers flock each year despite of the 10km climb to the summit of Paseo Ghisallo where the Chapel of our Lady stood even before Italy was still ruled by royalties.

The chapel of Ghisallo has been visited by “cycling greats” in our times including “yesterday’s legends” whose fame never vanished though some of them faded away in time.

Bike Stops.

In this second pilgrimage, there were six chapel/church stops and on every stop, a Reflection of our Lord’s Passion was read then followed by a Rosary of one Sorrowful Mystery, which bikers and laymen prayed. The prayer leader was a member of the visited chapel.

The first mystery was said in the Chapel of Barangay Luna. For the Creed, it was first recited at the parish grounds of our Lady of Lourdes in Claveria before departure. The second and third mysteries were in Barangay Lanise and Mat-i  respectively.

          

Any safe area at the side of the road along the pilgrimage way is a bike stop if one wishes to dismount to relax after spinning in high cadence the chain wheel in an effort to move the bike uphill. Though how fast the spins could have been but in low gears, the bike moved just slowly but continuously. On every stop, the heart returns gradually to its normal beating rate and although stopping delays travel time, it is best to be done more so if one has no appropriate preparation of the ride, or has not been able yet to establish his maximum endurance threshold.

To monitor the progress of those who were behind, Fr. Reno used to backtrack every now and then though it was already in the “climb areas”. His Merida Road Bike carried him to and fro efficiently.

   

The Uphill and Downhill.

When the bikes reached Medina, they had travelled 75 kilometers already. Though it seems not much of a longer ride compared with AUDAX series of 200-300K for a day ride, or in a day leg of 100 plus kilometre like the Tour de Luca of Bohol, nevertheless this pilgrimage route is no joke. The climb is approximately 48% of the total course from Claveria-Gingoog Route, where the toughest sections on a 17.5% grade were along the areas before reaching Doalnarra.[i]

The terrain from Poblacion-Claveria to Lanise is on gradual climb and sometimes rolling. The climb is in between at 2.75% to 8.5% grade. However, a longer winding downhill course begins at the boundary of Lanise and Mat-i. It give the bikers the needed recovery while maneuvering the winding course at 60 to 65KPH speed as disclosed by a Garmin cyclometer.

Starting from Mat-i Valley on route to Gingoog, the road is again on a continuous ascending course likely similar when the bikes first started in Poblacion Claveria to Lanise. But after crossing three or four bridges or before reaching the areas of Manibay fronting Barangay Aposkahoy, agonies began to heighten in an effort to country-cross pass the winding road along the mountain sides.[ii] This time, the climb is not only on a 6% to 8% grade, but steadily increases until the biker cracks of exhaustion. However, there are rolling areas where speed on descends could be maximized to compensate the time lost in the uphill ride.

Equally noteworthy is the downhill course. It is approximately 32% of the total course or route.

Before the plains of Doalnarra, a steep climb which is more or less closer to three kilometres. It is the dreaded climb. Of course, the bikes would assault this with all their might, with or without help. But first, they have to relax below, stretch their harden leg muscles and re-hydrate.

A Stop below Dualnarra Summit

So, below Doalnarra is a mandatory stop for all bikes and back-up vehicles. They occupied the left side of the road and they are counter-flowing with the traffic. Everyone tried to relax savoring the scenic view of the plains below and the majestic outline of Mt. Sumagaya, west of their location after successfully making the lesser climbs somewhere at the Manibay areas. The stop is in preparation for the hardest climb closer to three kilometers on a 17.5% grade towards the Doalnarra summit.   

Some thirty minutes later of rest and pictorials session, the go signal was given. Bikers moved consistently spinning their chain wheels in appropriate cadence and in low gears to assault the summit. Last season, in this area bikers instead of “riding the bike” some “walked their bikes” because of too much exhaustion. This place therefore serves as a gauge of camaraderie, as biker pushes a faltering buddy, doses water or shares something to munch, or telling inspiring and motivating words to his weaker counterpart telling him that he can make the climb.

Mid-point of the climb, for about five minutes, I was tailing Napy and Fr. Cacards on my first gear. They really were teaming up well, remarkable buddies  in the climb. Not much longer, I honked, accelerated and had overtaken them. But mind you, I was not on a bike but manning a support vehicle. 

A Stop before the summit of Doalnarra (a year old memory photo)

The climb really exhausted them. They exhausted too all their low gears and there is nowhere to go. They had now the smallest chain wheel with biggest rear sprocket and no more option to shift for another lower gear. Despite they were moving slowly on the hill, ultimately they arrived at Doalnarra Plains, but seldom on two’s and never in a small group, but practically on his lonesome. Biker stopped, dismounted and totally drained, yet still happy for he made the climb. 

There again the needed stop at the plains for the next climb towards the Shrine of the ill-fated Flight 387. It is still four or five kilometers away from Doalnarra. Those who are still full of energies and now on the summit of Doalnarra, immediately went to a nearby Ice Cream Kiosk and bought cups of ice cream not only for themselves, but for their buddies who awaited them exhausted at the shades. 

Ill-fated Flight 387 Shrine with Mt. Lumot in background.

However, I guess ice cream from Ilajah’s Doalnarra Kiosk though how delicious they were, could never rejuvenate one from exhaustion. What really would rejuvenate a biker is that feeling of contentment that he made it – conquered the most difficult climb.  

Not much longer, the pilgrims moved for 387 shrine and again another sprinter’s hill meet the bikers. Upon reaching the 387 Shrine, almost everyone went to see what was there for them. After sometime, they returned back at the side of the road, prepared themselves for departure, bringing with them tremendous clip of poses in their cameras taken at the 387 Shrine Area.

A scenery at the back of the 387 Shrine, foggy
outline of Mt. Lumot. Last year's pilgrimage.

The peloton started for the downhill leg.

The downhill area begins some four or five kilometers after reaching Cibuleg proper. Cibuleg is some five or six kilometers from the 387 Shrine in rolling plains.

The winding downhill curves are death-defying ones. To effectively maneuver these sharp winding descends, one should have nice cornering skills or handling ability in general in addition of pure guts to stay focus on the course where every movement is always followed by the whizzing sound of wind breeze because of one's velocity and drag.

It is in the perilous descends where biker’s fate is determined only by two brake cables for bike with V-brakes, or on two hydraulic tubes for bikes with hydraulic brakes, which both have two pairs of brake pads for the front and rear wheels. When anyone of these parts falter, we are prayerful that serious things would not follow that is why in longer rides, be it on the road or off-road; like vehicles – bikes are extra taken cared by the bikers to be 100% road worthy before getting into action. 

The Big Break.

This is my second season as a back-up vehicle driver in the pilgrimage with my wife Ester as navigator. Last time, I carried the Bullets contingent. It is the same today, I carried my friends’ bikes from our place to the staging point and of course, to safely carry them home, as well. Indeed, I envied them much even in their excruciating moments in the climbs because I could no longer do what I used to do some ten or fifteen years ago during my younger cycling days.

Now, the least that I can do is to be there as their driver, photographer and handyman. Doing simple little things for the sake of a good cause is always a worthy endeavor and regardless of whatever pains may come in the end, it could be considered less burdensome in spirit of perigrinatio religiosa.

Well, enough for myself, I think I must tell you now what really preoccupied my thoughts when the bikes descended from Cibuleg to Samay areas. The hairpin curves in the downhill course, made my head and upper body sway either from left to right as I maneuvered my steering wheel to put the van on place.

But despite of the perilous downhill curves, these bikes were indeed running fast, faster than the escorting vehicles could do. So, I asked myself, “Are they not afraid of the sharp winding descend because any slight mistake would matter grievously in a mere flash?” I just told myself, “I am really getting older because I am now fearful of fearless bike maneuvers unlike before.”

Thus, I asked some of those whom I met earlier upon reaching Samay. "Why are the bikes running like bullets in the downhill?" There was one teasing answer, which I consider later as the best answer. It says, “Lunch is down there below and it is hunger that pushes more adrenaline in me that made me forget fear.”  
   

A 3/4 Hp Human Machine

The way I see, no pilgrim biker in the past two seasons I attended, ever descended like a bulldozer. Every bike seems to have a Formula One engine. When one sees a buddy zooming fast in the downhill, the usual tendency of those behind him is to accelerate more in order not to be left considerably alone. Hungry or not, it is the usual way – bikers consider it nicer to see the bikes in one straight formation not necessarily in compact position in the downhill. Down hilling establishes confidence in the individual upon seeing his buddy or partner doing well on the course. He too strives to make his maneuver better following the movement of the biker ahead of him.

On the downhill course to Samay, our vehicle was tailing Fr. Rimargen. However we kept a considerable distance away from him as safety precaution. Indeed, it is really nice to see from behind a downhilling biker swaying right or left in the hairpin curves. Seeing one swaying, makes the driver on the wheel sway similarly. 

Fr. Neil Limbaco sporting in black and red cycling jersey was farther ahead of us. He was on his MTB, the one he had used in Tour de Luca last May.    

Well, the bikes and all the back-up vehicles including tricycle a Bajaj 200cc stopped at the shrine area in Samay that Fr. Ruth has been energetically working. Lunch was ready and it was the sticky brake pad for everyone to halt thereat.

Two makeshift bamboo tables parallel to each other served as the arena of the “boodle fight lunch”. Great mounds of rice and chopped slices of roasted pork - lechon enticed everyone’s appetite. The place was under the shades of trees, it was windy. But it was neither the shade nor the lechon were the general appetizer, but it was hunger. It was already closer to one o’clock when we arrived for Lunch Break Stop.

The Boodle Fight, One on One. 

The “boodle” seems also as a bike race inasmuch as friends seldom talk while eating. In bike rides, bikers never talk much in concentration and focus on the road. What was happening typically during a bike ride, was happening during lunch time. Noise erupted only when everyone was full.

At last everyone had his or her fill. Spending longer time here under the shade of trees with cool mountain breeze would make us sleepy than in any of the previous stops. Fr. Ramir and Reno set the “get ready signal” for the final push to the plains in Gingoog.

The bikes made the formation with at ease since it was easier for them to get out from the area. The vehicles waited for the signal from the attendant while exiting one after the other passing through the backfilled canal.  

I guess everyone had a good fill during lunchtime, so I expected the ride to downtown would just be a leisurely one. Nevertheless, it was in contrary to what I expected, for the bikes were again savoring the remaining kilometers of the downhill course on an adrenaline-rush speed. Hungry or not, these bikes would be just running fast always. As such, I did not affirm anymore to what I thought was the best statement I heard some minutes ago, it was only a ploy to hide their daringness in the downhill.

Hungry or not, they used to run like the Way of the Bullets in the downhill.

The Concluding Leg.

Last year, we were unable to visit the parish church of Sta. Rita de Cascia in Gingoog because upon reaching the plains from the highlands, the bikes turned right for Anakan. It was a long way ride yet to get there on ascending terrain.

In this pilgrimage, when the peloton entered the city streets, it brought a message to those who understood that these men endured the lung-busting climbs and tackled the treacherous descends of the cross-country passes. It was a distinct privilege accorded to us to be given priority by the Traffic Officer to travel or cross first the highway. Other users of the street were halted because of the passing peloton. It was an honor - a luxury for bikers to have this simple gesture of importance on the road.  

It really feels good that the pilgrimage visited and prayed the fourth mystery at Sta. Rita Church in Gingoog. The pilgrims saw the beautiful church interior including its exterior. It formulated one clear statement that Gingoog is a developing city. It was once a missionary charge of the Columban Fathers (SSC) in the 1950’s when Monseigneur James G. Hayes, the first Bishop of Cagayan de Oro invited them to pastor the vineyard in the eastern side of Misamis Oriental. More than thirty-years later after zealously working the gospels in the area, the Columbans turn-over their missionary charge including the parishes of Camiguin to the Diocese of Cagayan de Oro.

Today, Gingoog has three parishes, one is the Parish of the Sacred Heart in Anakan, Sta. Rita de Cascia in downtown proper and San Vicente Ferrer in Lunao. The latter was the altar of the fifth mystery.

San Vicente Ferrer Parish

After Sta. Rita Parish Church, it would be only some fifteen kilometers more to the Finish Line, but the pilgrimage passed at the Parish Church of Lunao.

Out of camaraderie, the pilgrimage organizers headed jointly by Fr. Colanse and Fr. Reno shared P5,000.00 from the proceeds of the sale of souvenir t-shirts to Fr. Rene Soldevilla, for his ongoing project – the construction of a parish convent in Lunao. The donation was agreed by ACDO Bikers in the planning stage yet. We, the laymen could not but clap our hands in bewilderment of a gracious act.

From Lunao, the bikes’ pace to Medina became faster as two or three bikers which included Fr. Bogs, managed to get loose desirously away from the group. Attacks were initiated one after the other which made the pace even faster and punitive. Bike speed had gone closer to 42kph in the breakaways, but the punishing pace did not last longer, they arrived Medina earlier than the estimated time of arrival.

The Litany was prayed thereat and Fr. Marlo Acenas, the Parish Priest gave the final blessings to all pilgrims with sincere remarks of extending his great thanks for dropping by at their parish. Snacks followed, seemingly it was a protocol on every bike stop beginning at Luna Chapel.

Of course, nothing is wasted, if the mouth refuses to work, the deep cycling jersey pockets certainly accommodated them all. 

Inventory of Less Important Things Maybe:

It is rather hard to determine correctly how many lay pilgrims or non-bikers joined the day. Before the start, there was a head count of bikers and there were 37 of them, but there was no head count of non-bikers. 

There were seven biker priests namely: Fr. Ramer Colanse and Fr. Reno Alema of Jasaan Parish; Fr. Neil Limbaco of Anakan, Fr. Rimargen Ubalde, Baliwagan; Fr. Dondon Olango, Kinoguitan; Fr. Cacards Pagatpatan, Catarman; Fr. Bogs Valmores, Nazareno-CDO; and Fr. Joel Oga, Fatima Parish Balulang-Cagayan. Unfortunately, the latter did not ride his bike this time, unlike last year when he daringly started the fashioned in some short instances the move, “no hands on bar” downhill maneuver.

He joined the 2018 pilgrimage in support to everyone and he was just behind a little bit from the bikers, on board in one of the back-up vehicles.

Fr. Joel Lusat of Claveria was not able to join the pilgrimage ride as well because he was busy in the parish.  Their parish was the host of the  convention of Parochial Schools in the diocese. 

There, I saw Fr. Macky  Elloren, one of the Rectors of a Parochial School in the western side. They expected Bishop Tony J. Ledesma to arrive any time after the pilgrimage took off.   

From (L-R) Fr. Ram, x, Fr. Reno, Fr. Neil, x, Fr. Bogs, x, x,x, x
Not in the photo are Fr. Cacards, Fr. Rimargen & Fr. Dondon. Beside Fr. Ram is our pre-schooler biker.

Majority of the bikers were from Cagayan de Oro from MTM Bike Shop and Haguros. Team Tink Off of Jasaan had five or six riders including two ladies. I guess it is a new bike team of Jasaan which perhaps has been inspired by their two biker priests. Although, I saw Fr. Colanse in his Tink Off jersey, the fact remains that he is still a pioneering ACDO biker together with Fr. Reno Alema and Fr. Jong Sabuga who organized the cycling group of priests earlier.

   

It would be always nice to remember the elder brother of Fr. Dondon, who never had been away from him from the start up to the finish line was there. It is his second season in the pilgrimage.

There are other two bikers from the parish of Camaman-an, who survived the arduous ride. Being young and strong, are credentials to endurance and survival. 

I am so sorry, I could not provide the readers a list of the lay bikers and those in the back-up vehicles. Napy Naparota of Team Haguros and Chair of Bikers’ Transportation Services, had exerted last minute efforts to register the names of all bikers who participated at the close of the ceremony in Medina.

Hopefully, he got all their names so we can supplement or update this post next time.

At the starting line in the parish ground, I met and I assumed that most of the bikers knew him. Our long time cycling friend during the Marlboro Tour days, Reynaldo Cabingas of Bobontugan, Jasaan joined the pilgrimage on his Giant CFB. At first I thought Fr. Kim Cabingas, his son would be joining. I was wrong, it was the Fr.’s father who joined and good that he was with us, at least we had an addition to the crew who is certainly irresistible in the world of cycling.

Moreover, I met my other cycling buddies like Totong Ramos[iii] of Cambia Bike Club who frequented at MTM, so with Haguros Bike Team Steve Ricafort, Junbobs, Dodoy and Lyndon Llagas. Likewise, our friend Rico of Team Myx who last time was the main man of Fr. Joel in the 1^st edition of the pilgrimage, was there too. 

The biker whom I never expected much to be able to finish the pilgrimage ride because of his age at 70 years old is Lito Nanong. He has been an inspiration of every biker below his age. Before the coming of chromoly and aluminum bike frame in Cagayan de Oro City, he has been in road cycling on high-tension steel frames. Today, he is still with the bikes either on road or mountain bike, despite his age.  

Wally Veronilla and his brother Macky (recent veterans of Davao Audax and Giro de Luca last May – like also Fr. Neil, Fr. Jessie  Namocot, Fr. Reno and Fr. Bogs in the Giro de Luca), who both started their early cycling days with Bullets of Balingasag were there with Team Haguros. It is their second season as well.

Filling the Balingasag contingents are Rey Chaves and Loloy Ganzan. Rey is a marathoner and a recreational biker. At first, he was hesitant to join when I told him about it. Fortunately, he decided because he thought I would be riding too, which I had not. However, his devotion to the discipline of running helped him much, he conquered all the climbs and survived the course very well. If Rey was joyous in his exploits in the pilgrimage, sadly it was the opposite for Loloy. “Gao” as I affectionately called him, sprained his left ankle joint earlier during the first arduous climb.  Though he is a biker, he is an aquaman, too. During the previous Bullets sponsored Triathlon in 2016 and 2017 in Balingasag and Lagonglong, he took charge in the laying of the buoys in the swim leg.

Likewise, we should not forget the two pre-school children who were on their bikes with balancers. They were in cycling attires with crash helmets and so on. Although they had not joined on the road with the bikers, but only on a short stroll in the plains of Doalnarra, it is however fitting to thank their parents for bringing their children to the pilgrimage. At least the seed of consciousness of what pilgrimage is all about could be planted in their younger minds this early. 

Travelling in a nice car could never be a luxury for the children because of discomforts incurred while travelling on a turtle-pace behind the weary bikers.

                                                                                                            

Furthermore, I would like to express my apologies for mentioning only those whom I personally know. It is never my intention to discredit or not to recognize the laudable contributions of other bikers. Really, I am sorry that I could not mention their names for reasons I have already explained – absence of the list of participants momentarily.

In the next pilgrimage, we look forward that ACDO would rectify this deficiency.  But the 

presence and participation alone of bikers already made history. Whether it is written or not, it is still a story of devotion and sacrifice.   

On the other side as an analogy perhaps of this year’s pilgrimage and the previous one, there are less priest bikers who joined today, but there is a significant increase in numbers of non-clergy bikers who joined this time.

Noteworthy to remember is Team Tink Off of Jasaan. Their lady bikers survived the ride. Last year, the road was fielded by all male bikers only. May in the upcoming seasons more lady bikers would join.

Furthermore, the number of back-up vehicles today has been accounted to a sortie of ten (10) vehicles only, either a 4x4 pick-up, SUV, UV or Elf. It is bit lesser in number than last year of sixteen vehicles. But aside from the ten bigger vehicles, two Bajaj tricycle joined in. Thus, making the convoy into twelve. 

The most punishing job ever had in this pilgrimage was of Celso Ipanag, Driver of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish of Baliwagan-Balingasag. Fr. Rimargen Ubalde is their parish priest. Celso drove the ACDO Elf which transported the bikes from Cagayan to Claveria. His vehicle was the “End of the Race Vehicle” if it was a race. From the Finish Line in Medina, he transported the bikers/bikes back to Cagayan. Thereafter, he would be in Claveria to get the parish vehicle which was left thereat for reasons of geography and practicality.

How awful it was! Nevertheless, he told me, “I’ll do what I can do Pre, for the sake of this pilgrimage.” He is my “kumpadre” in one of the church weddings which we were privileged to be chosen as godparents.  

Finally, as regards with the story of the Big Brother and his Buddy, the Big Brother indeed did well in this pilgrimage unlike last year when oftentimes he was pushed in the climb. Despite his Buddy had dropped him twice in the climbs, the interval was not much farther. The Big Brother has truly improved, he was no longer push though he skidded in his new slick tires due to a sudden forceful maneuver exerted on a right hander-climb. His right foot slipped from the pedal, though it has an advance mechanism to release or grip securely the shoe.

These protagonists are truly “bike brothers”. They are long time cycling buddies who take care of each other not only in the hardships they commonly encountered in the sports they both loved, but most importantly in the day to day drama of life. Buddies in happiness and in sorrowful days. 

Lastly, the pilgrimage route from Claveria to Gingoog has no shrine of Mother like the one in Ghisallo in Northern Italy. For those who joined the arduous pilgrimage on such a bright sunny day devoid of rain to naturally cool the atmosphere, the Shrine of Mother Mary is at every chapel or church they visited where they sincerely prayed. The shrine is intangible physically, but it is perceptible in deep prayer.

In the final laying of a stone in the Museum of Ghisallo in 2006, Pope Benedict XVI blessed the stone with this inscription, “Omnia Vincit Amor” or “Love Conquers All”.

In the Philippines, Republic Act No. 10966 approved on December 23, 2017, declares December 8 of every year a Special Non-Working Holiday to commemorate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the Principal Patroness of the Philippines. 

“May our love to Jesus through the intercession of Mother Mary dwell in us and radiate forever always in every deed that we do or would have to do for others.”

ooo

RexR.Valmores

11042018balingasagmisorphil

---

[i] Doalnarra is a restoration society, a stone marker near at store they owned at the side of the road says so.  Accordingly, this place is leased or owned by the Elijah. (Annotation mine.)

[ii] Manibay is a provincial road of Misamis Oriental and a cross-country pass from the Claveria-Gingoog Highway to Baliwagan, Balingasag, Mis. Or. via Aposkahoy, Malagana, Pelaez, Malasera, Samay, San Juan and Linabo. (Annotation mine.)

[iii] He remarked that had he known only that a group of bikers will ride their bikes from Cagayan to the converging point in Claveria, he would have joined the pack than rode in the SUV, which Napy Naparota provided him and the other bikers. The 7k uphill road from Villanueva to Kalingagan is really challenging comparable to any climb in the country.. (Annotation mine.)