Happy Birthday Papa Joe

Last June 14, 2007, it was Joe Estavillo’s turn to celebrate his 35th birthday. Joe’s family, his brick-piling friends, loyal brods and the Agilas were at Times Beach to have a good time and honor a friend who is tough but kind, no-nonsense but easy to get along.

Among riders, it is said that the true character of a man is revealed after a long and hard day’s ride when everyone is tired. I have had the opportunity to join Papa Joe is long rides to Manila in 2003 and to Vigan and Laoag in 2006 and I can say that it was a real pleasure to ride with him. Confident, sympathetic, funny, concerned and strong, Papa Joe was one of the main reasons why the rides were memorable.

Happy birthday Papa Joe. May you die in bed at age 95 shot by a jealous woman.

Sir Boy Celebrates B-day

Founding President Sir Boy Manaois celebrated his 35th birthday with the Agilas last June 7 at MTS.

The Agilas came in full force to show their gratitude and appreciation to Sir Boy who ably led the club through the challenges the club faced when it was just starting out. Sir Boy was President during the first two years of the club. A "Founding President" t-shirt with the Agila colors was given to Sir Boy (second picture from top show Pres. Daniel giving gift to Sir Boy).

Sir Boy expressed satisfaction in seeing the club grow stronger through the passing of the years.

To Sir Boy, the Agilas say:

May the road rise to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face.

May a beautiful woman always ride pillion with you.

Just make sure to keep the rubber side down!

Happy Birthday!

Agilas donate food, used clothing to fire victims

The Davao Agila Riders donated a pickup-load of rice, canned goods and used clothing to the fire victims of Barangay 31-D, Piapi last May 31, 2007. The previous Monday, May 28, a four-hour fire had hit the area, razing one hundred forty-one houses and rendering hundreds of families homeless.

The donation was turned over to Barangay Capt. Eli Chu (wearing a white T-shirt in the middle picture) and the barangay staff.

The idea of helping the fire victims was suggested by Alan. Pres. Daniel immediately realized that it was an opportunity to perform our civic duty and campaigned for donations. And the Agilas did not disappoint.

The Thursday fellowship, made more meaningful by the donation, followed afterwards.

Motorcade for Clean, Honest Elections (May 12)

The Davao Agila Riders joined the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) in a motorcade around the city to campaign for clean and honest elections.

The Agilas were at the head of the motorcade which turned out be a three-hour, slow drive that went from downtown to Sasa, the Diversion Road, Ma-a, Matina, Toril, and back to the city center. Thinking that the motorcade would be short, I had worn short sleeve shirts, and I ended up having very brown arms as the prize for my optimism.

Thanks to Rey for providing the much needed replenishments after the motorcade.

Anybody got pictures of the motorcade?

Dangkagan Ride Highlight

The ride to Dangkagan would have been just another ride if it were not for a sidekick of the mayor who insisted on showing the Agilas the breadth and scenery of the rural town. The Agilas politely obliged. Big mistake.

The 40 minute ride around town was scenic, alright, but the ride was on dirt roads with a carabao trail thrown in for good measure. The guide apparently had no idea that big, street bikes work best in paved streets.

While everybody suffered through the ordeal (some not silently), the group’s collective pity went to Fred who had to muscle his beautifully decaled ZZR 1100 through soft, brown, uneven earth.

Dangkagan Ride (May 2)

Dodong said a relative who is / (was running?) for Mayor was inviting the group to his town Dankagan, Bukidnon. Not wanting to forgo an excuse to ride, the Davao Agila Riders jumped at the chance for a ride that should at least be 100kms one way.

So last May 2, the Agilas had another long ride.

Special thanks to Mayor Ayuban (who looks as tough as Dodong) for hosting the club on this ride. Thanks also for our lovely partners who accompanied us on the ride. (By the way, do you know that the Hell’s Angels endearingly call the girlfriends and wives “old ladies”?)

Reporting back for duty, sir.

Roy said that he has been regularly checking this blog and complained that there were no new posts . Well, posts to this blog were put on hold because people who promised to send me pictures of our activities had other more important things to do. ;-)

Yesterday, Jerome gave a CD with the pictures we needed so we are back on “what do you call the ‘space’ that blogs occupy that is analogous to what radio broadcasters call ‘air’?”.

By the way, I would like to thank Blogie for including this primitive blog in his Davao Blogs Directory, http://www.davaoblogs.com/, "the aggregator site of all blogs of, about, in, or related to Davao." The blogs listed in the directory present Davao in the unique perspectives of fellow Dabawenyos. I have learned more than a thing or two browsing though the blogs. Highly recommended.