Three Day Tour - Camiguin Island

It was March 26 to 28, 2010,  when my motorcycle riding group, Team YBR CDO, Inc. conquered Camiguin Island. We started our tour from Cagayan de Oro City at 11:00 AM, Friday on board our Yamaha 125 G motorcycles. Seven riders (four of us with our wive's on the backride and 3 single riding members) traversed the 84 kms coastal road of Misamis Oriental from CDO City to Balingoan port and boarded Kalinaw Barge that perried us and our motorcycles to Binoni Port in Camiguin Island.

We have reached the Island at 2:45 PM and then immediately travelled to our first destination, the Sagay Municipality where one of our touring members' relatives live. We stayed they till 7:00 PM and then travelled again to around 30 kms for the Ardent Hot Spring in Mambajao where we took a dip and go for a swim on it's hot spring pool. We stayed there during the night. At 8:00 AM in the morning we left the place and rode  all together to the town proper of Mambajao and went inside a restaurant  for our breakfast.

We continued our tour and stopped from time to time to take some pictures on selected places along the coastal roads of the island. Before 12:00 PM, we're already back to Sagay. We had some fun and we sang and danced along with the group and our new found friends in the island. We all slept before midnight and woke up early to travelled back to Cagayan de Oro City. We boarded again the same barge at 5:30 AM on Sunday morning and reached Balingoan port at 7:00.

We had some snacks and rested for awhile at one of our members' place. After another hour we're back on our motorcycles homeward bound to Cagayan de Oro City. The next thing I knew, before 12:00 PM, we're home and still with the excitement that we experienced during the entire ride.

7 Days of Motorcycle Touring Adventure

My motorcycle riding group, the Team YBR CDO, Inc. was among the very lucky organizations chosen by Yamaha Motor Philippines, Inc. to participate in an all expenses paid motorcycle touring adventure from February 24, 2010 to March 2, 2010, dubbed as "The 3rd Yamaha Touring Adventure, Boracay Leg in the Visayas". Five delegates from our group were chosen. Me as president of our club, our vice-president, the assistant treasurer in behalf of our treasurer who is not available, and two board members in place of the other two officers, the secretary and the auditor, who backed out from the tour earlier. The destination...the Boracay Island in Caticlan, Panay in the Visayas Region of the Philippine Archipelago. We boarded the ship, St. Peter of the Apostles together with our Yamaha YBR 125 g motorcycles before midnight  of February 24, but the ship started its voyage at 7:00 A.M. of the following day, February 25, from Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao to Iloilo City in the Visayas Region for 15 long hours. After 5 hours of our voyage, we passed by Dakak, a well known tourist beach in Dipolog City, where some of the passsenger disembarked. At 4:30  in the afternoon, our voyage continue for another 10 long hours until we reached the Port of San Pedro in Iloilo City at exactly 2:30 in the morning, February 26, Friday. After disembarking and paying the necessary fees in the Iloilo Port, we then proceeded to the heart of Iloilo City on board our motorcycles to Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center where we are already booked courtesy of our sponsor, the Yamaha Motor Phils., Inc. We were the first delegates who arrived, followed by the 5 delegates from Manila. Then 14 other riders from Bacolod City arrrived with a lady rider among them. The rest came from the towns of Antique, Caticlan and of course Iloilo City. We are 47 riders all in all with paramedics and an ambulance, emergency pick-up and two SUV back up vehicles. We spent one night in Sarabia Hotel and the following day the 260 kms ride to Carticlan begun. It was a five hour tour with two stop-overs in two different towns of Antique.

One rider from Bacolod overshoot a curve and ended up in a ditch.  While his motorcyle is no longer usable, he was fortunate to sustained minor injuries only. His motorcycle was boarded on the emergency pick-up he was made to back ride on his co-rider. When we reached the town of Caticlan, we waited for thirty minutes and then boarded our motorcycles in a barge that perried us all to Boracay Island. It only took us thirty minutes to reach this wonderful Island, it's a paradise! Fun and excitements filled the air with the different activities that we had. We also toured the island until we reached it's highest peak on board our motorcycles. We went for a swim during the night before the fellowship night. We managed to hiked for more than one hour on the following morning to give our lungs the chance for a pure and unpolluted air along the longest beach I have ever seen in my entire life. And after our lunch and a short rest we again hit the road for another 260 kms ride going back to Iloilo City.

Another rider from Manila lost control on a curve, sustained minor injuries and still managed to ride his motorcycle again after uninstalling the damaged accessories. We arrived in Iloilo city around 8:00 in the evening. The following day both motorcylces that crushed during the tour were immediately fixed by Yamaha mechanics and all damaged parts and accessories were replaced with brand new ones. While the other riders already left bound for their respective destinations, we stayed in Sarabia Hotel for another day, go out during the night and visited some night spots, and enjoy the hospitality of the people of iloilo city. We finally boarded again on the same ship, the St. Peter of the Apostles homeward bound to Cagayan de Oro City ay 10:00 P.M. on March 2, Tuesday for another 15 hours long voyage. We arrived in Cagayan de Oro City the following day. It was a very exciting and unforgetable moment that I'm sure will linger on my mind for long, long time. And I said to myself...I shall  return to Boracay Island..one day soon. 

Community Service & Tour to Gingoog City

Hey guys! It's been awhile I haven't post anything here. I have been very busy with all my duties and tasks as president of my club, the Team YBR CDO, Inc., as well as my responsibilities to my beloved family, not to mention my real estate job. But, anyway  I'm here to summarize the rest of my riding activities since the last post I have here, our trip to Maria Cristina Falls in Iligan City.

First, Team YBR CDO Inc. donated various relief clothing to the fire victims of St. John, Brgy. Puntod, CDO City last August 2, 2009. It was participated by 14 regular and active members of the organization.

The relief clothing were turned over to and received by the barangay officials of Puntod. A copy of the Resolution No. 085-07-2009 was given to the group expressing the deep gratitude by the local government officials to Team YBR CDO, Inc.'s effort to participate in such activities specially intended for the welfare of  the people in need like the more than 100 households that became victims of the fire that erupted last July 22, 2009. Said resolution was signed by Barangay Chairman, Marvin G. Beja with conformity by Kagawad, Mitchelle Rey E. Clarito, Kag. Alexis J. Dacer, Kag. Evangeline S. Abbu, Kag. Joe T. Bonjoc, Sr., Kag. Doris Lavern U. Sia, Kag. Domenic V. Daumar and Kag. Mariah Kathlyn S. Denque. To all members of Team YBR CDO, Inc., CONGRATULATIONS for the success of our team's first Community Service which was spearheaded by the committee chairman, Ybro Randie Asuncion.

Second is our tour to Gingoog City, a second class city in the province of Misamis Oriental, Philippines. It is approximately 122 kilometers east of Cagayan de Oro City. It was a fine Sunday morning, September 20, 2009 to be exact. Fourteen regular members joined the tour making the first stop-over at Villanueva to have some breakfast at a carinderia (small restaurant) that serves hot meat soup, sinangag (fried rice) and other native foods. 

The group then proceeded on its tour, and after a total of 84 kilometers run, it had its next stop-over at the

Balingoan Port for some picture takings for souvenirs. The great backdrop you can view is the Camiguin Island that lies off the northern coast of Mindanao. The group altogether had its merienda (snacks) at one of its regular member's residence. In less than 30 minutes, the group were back on its route towards Gingoog City. The group reached Gingoog City and have some  fun and picture taking in Arturo S. Lugod Sports and Cultural Center and at the Gingoog Port area.

After some rest, the team rode back for Balingoan where we took our lunch at our Vice- President's house. We then proceeded to Baleng ni Juan where we continue having fun until night time. We left Balingoan heading homeward Cagayan de Oro City at 7:00 P.M. and after a kilometer and a half run, heavy rains started to fall. We took refuge at the nearest waiting shed along the highway. 30 minutes passed but the rain seemed to be not stopping anymore. We decided to push through with our ride and once again braved the heavy rainfalls that soaked us all and made us chilling while we travel the eastern coastal road of Misamis Oriental. We arrived in Cagayan de Oro City more or less at 9:00 P.M. all wet and chilling like little children but filled with joy and happiness in our heart.  

Tour to Maria Cristina Falls and Timoga Resorts

It happened to be one rainy Sunday morning. July 26, 2009, our scheduled tour to Maria Cristina Falls and Timoga Resorts in Iligan City. The weather was so cold and the roads seemed not ready to entertain any traveller. While my mind was set to brave the rains and enjoy whatever pleasure riding wet and wild could offer, I was also worried that others were not used to ride while raining like I do. As I sip my hot cup of chocolate, I was eagerly waiting for something to sound off. I was waiting for a sign, asking myself if this one's going to push through. Then my cell phone gave the 5:00 o'clock wake up alarm. I was awake earlier than usual and had already taken a very cold morning bath. Heavy rainfall from 4:20 to 4:45 A.M. had just lessen a bit, and I knew the sun will not just get up the way it used to be, not this time. The next sound that I heard was the message alert tone from one of our rider member from Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. "It was raining hard here awhile ago, are we gonna push through with the tour?". It was what I read written on my cell's LCD screen. "Can you ride now and ready to get wet this time?," I replied. The next message I read was, "I will be at the assembly line in 20 minutes". Yesssss, that's the sign I was waiting for. I picked up my bag and re-checked the things I readied the night before. I just added some rain gears and a T-shirt. Before I can get down from my house to the garage, one rider texted, "Sir, there is no rain in Iligan City", the other message said, "We are now here at the assembly line, where are you?. "Oh my," I said, "I'm not the only motorcycle addict here." I hurried up, warmed up my bike and there I went riding carefully on the wet highway to get at the assembly line as fast as I can get, with the rain still pouring moderately. From four riders that I found already waiting for the others with great enthusiasms, one by one the rest of the members arrived. There was this YBR rider (not yet a member) who's just passing by and stopped with curiosity and then asked, "What are you doing here guys, where are you going". Upon learning of our scheduled tour to Maria Cristina Falls, he quipped, "Can I join you?." I asked him how far is his house and how many minutes we have to wait for him to get some things for the tour. When he replied that in fifteen minutes he will be up and going, I immediately said, "Ok, then go, welcome to our company!." 17 riders, 3 wives and two friends, that made us 22 heads in all. We were late by 30 minutes on our planned departure time. After some safety briefing and a prayer, all 17 of our YBR motorcycles started to roar, in great sounds like thunders, ready to face the challenges that lie ahead of us as we toured the highway westward Misamis Oriental, to the City of Majestic Waterfalls, which is Iligan City.

The rains had already stopped and only small particles of water that came from almost all directions touched our bodies while we drive in moderate speed while we traversed the city proper and leaving Cagayan de Oro, just for awhile. We gassed up at Jetti Gas Station in Bulua where bystanders started to multiply while being amazed by our rides. At the next town we were joined by another rider with his girlfriend on  the back of his ride. Then the 24 of us continued the tour on the beautiful highway of the Cagayan de Oro and Iligan Corridors. What a nice place we have here in the northernmost part of the Islands of Mindanao. All riders who can taste the breeze, the unpolluted air of our island, not to mention the beautiful roads, especially the challenging sharp curves, the beautiful coastal scenery...I bet, they will be coming back for more rides like this one that we had.
We had our stop-over at the coastal road of Iligan, just before we entered the city proper where we started some picture taking, for remembrance purposes, you know. We also had to stop for awhile at the Caltex Star Mart to take a little snack and to buy some bottled water. We continued our tour, passed the city proper and directly went to Maria Cristina Falls. It is a waterfall of the Agus River on the island of Mindanao. It is sometimes called the "twin falls" as the flow is separated by a rock at the brink of the waterfall. It is a landmark of Iligan City, nicknamed the City of Majestic Waterfalls, because of the presence of more than 20 waterfalls in the city. Well-known for its natural beauty and grandeur, the 320-feet98 meters/320 feet high waterfall is also the primary source of electric power for the city's industries, being harnessed by the Agus VI Hydroelectric Plant.
After some time of feeling the beauty of nature within this twin waterfalls and listening to the sounds of heavy water pouring hard to big stones and down the stream, we felt relaxed, our minds, bodies and souls were filled with enjoyment and serenity that nobody among us just can explain. We then proceeded to Timoga Resorts for our lunch and continued fun and enjoyment embraced us all. Some gone to the pool and other preferred bonding with each other over a long neck of Tanduay and few bottles of Red Horse. There, we had conceptualized to help the fire victims of Brgy Tabaco in Puntod, Cagayan de Oro City. There were more than a hundred houses burned and families left homeless. We agreed to donate used clothing and dry goods on Sunday, August 2, 2009. At 3:30 P.M. heavy rain started to pour over the makeshift hut that we are staying. That made us decide to delay our departure time until the rain completely stop, hoping that it will. One hour passed, but it seemed the rains just want to hold us hostage in Iligan City. By the concensus of everybody, including the 4 lady backriders, no heavy rains can stop us now in going home. We started our rides for home at exactly 5:30 P.M. Our rides, the Yamaha YBR 125 G never give up on us. After 30 minutes of driving, the water started to penetrate my jacket. The rains drowned my entire body in complete coldness and with the long unlighted highway due to the brown out in some municipalities we passed, this rides, our own rides, the YBR's...you'll never think of getting home too soon, even if it is raining hard and all you see is a piece of the road ahead of you...you'll love the way its engine adopts itself in different conditions and temperatures. With a few more squeezes of the throttle, we arrived in Cagayan de Oro City at about 7:45 P.M. safe and sound, all wet, wild and filled with happiness and with a hope of another ride like this...with or without the rains....To all the members of Team YBR CDO, Inc..."Daghang Salamat Kaninyong Tanan"...It means..Thank you very much to all of you...of course, "Glory be to our Lord, Who is always our Co-Pilot".....

View all pictures of the tour at Team YBR CDO, Inc.'s Site

Ybro Orlando Tagolimot's Birthday

It was July 19, 2009, a bright and sunny day and good for a short riding adventure. But it was not all about riding, though we assembled again as a team and had prepared all our rides to the best of their forms and conditions, all of us had two things in our minds... it's Ybro Lando Tagolimot's birthday and of course a short 23 kms ride on board our YBRs. What a great simple lives we have. We traveled about 28 minutes before we got to Ybro Lando's house in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental. There were seven of us originating from Cagayan de Oro City. One rider joined us along the way at Agusan Highway, the other one in Puerto and another two from the Villanueva. Eleven of us, YBR riders graced our Board Member's birthday celebration. It was a day full of fun, native dish like lechon, drinks and videoke courtesy of Ybro Lando. All board members were present, so after partaking our meals, a short board meeting was held under a big tree (I just can't remember what type of tree it was). We talked about the plan for the upcoming tour to Maria Cristina Falls and Timoga on Sunday, July 26, 2009. All 20 active members of the club are confirmed to join the tour plus the 4 other applicants who are still to be introduced to the general asssembly and finally accepted to the club on the same day of the tour. We also hope to have with us some non-members who had signified their interest to join the tour as well as the organization. After the said short meeting, we went back inside the house of Ybro Lando then songs and laughter fills every corner of our Ybrother's home. By the way, YBRother is what we call each of us in the club, Ybro for short. At exactly 5:00 P.M., all were geared up to travel back to our home city, Cagayan de Oro.

TEAM YBR CDO Mini Tour

Friday, May 29, 2009, another lovely day for TEAM YBR CDO, woke up 4:30 in the morning, sent some reminder texts to all members and immediately took the early morning bath. The water was so cold that made me shiver down my spine, but all were set for this touring adventure, no matter how cold the water was. Yes, we've all waited for that day and it had come. After a cup of hot chocolate and while filling up my empty stomach, text messages started to come in. Seemed like everyone were all set to go. Except for one rider from Iligan City whom we've expected to arrive late because his place is 89 kms west of Cagayan de Oro City while our route was eastbound of Misamnis Oriental, Balingoan to be exact, a well known stop-over for travellers and tourists going to Camiguin Island. We were assured that this rider will be with us along the way around 50 kms away from our destination. Four of us met at the Yamaha Showroom in Gusa, CDO City and we started our tour at exactly 6:30 in the morning. We were joined by another rider at Agusan Highway and before we reached Puerto, the rider from Iligan City was already with us. How did he do it? I wondered. He must had left Iligan City at 5:30 A.M. and twisted full throttle most of the time. He is a rider anyway. When we reached Villanueva which is 23 kms away from CDO CIty, two more riders joined our group. The eight of us then continued our tour to Balingoan where two of our members who shall host our group are already waiting. We arrived in Balingoan at around 9:30 in the morning and after a moment of rest, food and drinks were served. We then proceeded to Baleng ni Juan, a restaurant and resort owned by one of our members. We had a short meeting and discussed some important matters concerning our group. Our meeting was held in the most beautiful place there is, with the Camiguin Island as backdrop. After the meeting, we went to the house of our member where our lunch was served. After a short but healthy discussion, we extended our tour to Talisayan and shortly stayed at Villa Arcadia Beach and Resort. That place is one very good hide away, the best place to relax away from the busy city life. Oh yes, we need to be back at that place one day and must be soon. We went back to Balingoan, and to our surprise, another rider had just arrived. More fun and discussions followed, and at exactly 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon, everybody started warming up our machines, ready to ride homeward Cagayan de Oro City. One stop-over in Villanueva, a few moments of bonding, a bottle of coke and again everyone were set to hop on our rides. We arrived safe and sound at exactly 6:00 o'clock in the evening.

Watch the movie of TEAM YBR CDO Mini Tour (PART 1)



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TEAM YBR CDO Mini Tour (PART 2)



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Forty Years On Two Wheels

Somebody's steps worth to be followed.

KMX 125 Kawasaki

I still have these recollections of the days that me and my KMX 125 were riding together through thick and thin, rain or shine. For almost three years, we toured the entire Misamis Oriental and the rest of the northern part of Mindanao Island in the Philippines. They were indeed great moments one rider can not just forget easily. Although I don't have regrets letting my KMX go, those pieces of memories that keep playing inside my mind just won't make me give up. A rider is a rider, and I will always be one.

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Kawasaki KMX 125

This is me in 2003 with my Kawasaki KMX 125.
It is a water-cooled off road motorcycle which I found to be also very good for street riding. It runs so fast like a turbo-charged machine and can endure very long distance travel. We have been together for less than three years travelling along the streets of the beautiful city of Cagayan de Oro and its nearby towns and municipalities especially along the coastal road of Misamis Oriental, the northern part of Mindanao, Philippines. I've loved this bike, all its features, except for being a two-stroked engine bike which is very good for off road competition. But I do not compete, I only love to ride. So one day, I had to let it go with a plan to replace it with a four-stroked engine motorcycle.

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Kawasaki Z400

This is an image of a Kawasaki Z400 motorcycle. My first motorcycle is exactly like this bike, however, its color was green. I bought it from a friend in 1984 after I resigned from my job as a cost accounting staff of Nippondenso, Phils. I rode it for almost three years in the busy streets of the cities of Makati and Manila not to mention some of my trips in the provinces of Luzon, until I finally sold it in 1987. I don't have any documented story about my Z400 except for all the memories of the joys and happiness it had brought into my life. They linger in my mind and these memories make me craves for motorcycles.

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