I just came home from participating in the politically-motivated Bike For Life. It’s a monthly event organized by the Pasig City Government to promote biking as an alternative means of transportation and to reduce carbon emission in the atmosphere.
I’ve applied for membership for Bike For Life a few months ago but this is my first time to attend the event. I have a general idea on what to expect from a biking event like this one, but I never expected it to be politically-motivated.
I came across the schedule of today’s event on Facebook. The call time was 5:00 AM and I arrived on time. However, the event started around 6:13 AM. I have no idea on how long the route was, but we passed Barangay Dela Paz, Rosario, Marcos Highway, Ortigas Center, Kalawaan and the finish line was in front of the City Hall.
Here’s the part where I got mad at the organizers. After biking for 2 hours and 5 minutes, I was expecting for unlimited amount of water to quench my thirst. My supply ran out. A few meters away from the finish line, they were distributing bottled water and hamburger (to my surprise). The bad news is, they are requiring you to present your Bike For Life card, which I forgot at home.
So I told one of the organizers that I forgot at home and I simply wanted to have the bottle of water. He told me to wait until everyone (who brought their card) is finished. I told him I need it at that moment because I’m thirsty. He even asked the approval of the head organizer. Eventually I got the stub and presented it to the other table that gives the bottled water. I asked for another bottle since I’m really thirsty and the size of it is small.
The lady said “Bilang poi to eh”. I said okay, but I told them I’ll take their picture. After taking their picture, they probably felt that I’m going to report them to Mayor. So they gave me another bottle. It could have been a happy ending until I saw the bottle – it’s stamped with the words (in red color) “Maribel Eusebio. Donated by friends of Maribel”.
What the f*ck – are we still in the campaign period? She already won the seat. She’s already the Mayor. We all know that the event was organized by the Office of the Mayor. Why the advertisement?
The Bike For Life is a great project from the Pasig City Government but please, stop making it politically-motivated. I suggest next time that:
- They should start the event at the exact time that they advertise it. The Philippine Standard Time Law is already in place. Let’s stop doing the Filipino Time (always late).
- They should provide Neon-Signs (Directional Arrows) on major intersection to guide the bikers properly. Don’t rely on your traffic enforcers alone. We’re not dumb. We can follow a route provide that you put large Directional Arrows along the route.
- They should provide jugs of water NOT bottled water. It that way, bikers can take enough water as they needed. It would also save the environment since we’re not using plastic bottles. Every biker carries his own container of water. We just need water to fill-out our own container.
- Use trash cans in collecting plastic bottle instead of plastic bags. The City Government of Pasig already passed the law banning the use of plastic bags. Why are the organizers still using it?
- To Mayor Maribel Eusebio, please stop stamping your name on the bottle water. Stop having electronic projectors to showcase what the City Government of Pasig is doing. It is the duty of bloggers and reporters to show the public what your leadership is doing. Don’t advertise your own achievements.
The next Bike For Life event will be on August 11, 2013 (Sunday). I’m having second-thoughts about attending this politically-motivated event. I should probably seek out membership to a bike club initiated by private organizations.
Rizal High School was the start point for the Bike For Life, July 28, 2013 event. The call time was 5:00 AM but it started around 6:13 AM.
There’s a projector at the Starting Point showing politically-motivated videos about the projects being done by the Pasig City Government. Please stop advertising your projects on every event that you organize. We simply want to bike. No more propagandas please.
This is the assembly area taken at 5:00 AM. This was filled-out when the event started around 6:13 AM.
The guy in black is the Official Photographer of the City of Pasig. He’s present in ALL the events of the Pasig City Government.
I made a 5 minute rest near the Ortigas Area. I took the time to take pictures of the bikers in action.
I finished the race after 2 hours and 5 minutes.
The organizers stamping the Bike For Life ID for the stub (for bottled water and hamburger). No Bike For Life ID, no stub (unless you raise your voice and show them you have a camera).
Bikers lined up for the bottled-water, hamburger and a banana. Wait, there-s more! There’s a raffle for an Android smartphone! Unfortunately, I forgot my Bike For Life card at home.
I think he is Noel Rivera (curator of Pasig City Museum).[Edit: From Dom Jullian: Hindi si Noel Rivera yun. That's Joselito 'Joji" Comsti, ex-councilor ng district 2 circa 90s. He's heading a department sa City Hall]
The girls that refused to give me a 2nd bottle because I’m really thirsty saying “Bilang po kasi eh”. Guess what, after taking their picture, they give me the 2nd bottle that I’m asking for. Next time, provide water jugs instead so that we can drink as many water as we can.
The water bottle that was distributed during the event – stamped with the name of the current mayor, Maribel Eusebio. I wonder who the Friends of Maribel are. They’re probably rich to provide water bottles and hamburgers to the participants. This is a VERY Old School political advertisement that is very common during election period.
Mayor Maribel Eusebio, please stop reminding us that you’re the mayor.
My Bike For Life card which I forgot at home. This is a requirement in getting a water after a 2-hour bike ride. Mayor Maribel Eusebio, please stop this senseless process of having this piece of cardboard stamped first before getting a water. This is very Old School dirty political motive.
