The Easyriders: a convention tour of baguio

CEBU, Philippines – It was the 15th Annual Convention of the National Federation of Motorcycle Clubs (NFMC) hosted by the Vigan Heritage and Lawin Motorcycle Clubs held at the Baguio Convention Center in Baguio City. The annual convention is rotated to host clubs in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Since last year it was in Cagayan de Oro, this time the convention was held in Baguio and next year will be the turn of Cebu to host the convention.

On D-Day, the EasyRiders Motorcycle Club with President Ed & Therese Gonzales, Bobby & Marian Aboitiz, Tony & Grace Lozada, Cheling & Susan Sala, Dodong & Loida Faelnar, Peter & Angie Spalding, Boom Fonacier, John Domingo, Lito Garcia, Art Tudtud, Boni Suico, Joe Holder, Joey Borga, this writer and my son Jesus Valeriano “JV” Avila met at the Cebu Country Club and rode together to board the SuperFerry 12.

While Typhoon “Dante” just lashed into the Bicol-Sorsogon area and left it in shambles, the seas were not affected by the storm and it was one of the calmest ferry rides we have ever taken. What surprised us about the cabins of the SuperFerry 12, was the basket of fruits, just like what you get in first class hotels. It was indeed a very comfortable ferry ride.

Arriving at the International Port of Manila, we were met by two motorcycle clubs, the BMW Owners Society of Saferiders (BOSS) and the Biliran-Leyte-Samar Tourers (BLAST), who escorted us into the clogged streets of downtown Manila, passing through Manila City Hall, Quiapo and into the Balintawak Interchange – the beginning of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). This is a freeway (an American) style of driving from Balintawak all the way to Subic Freeport, through the newly-finished Subic-Clark Expressway. Arriving at the Courtyard Inn, we settled for the night.

It was in Subic that we learned that Typhoon “Emong” was headed towards Northern Luzon and the group decided to stay a day more to ride out the fury of the storm. But our second group, led by Dodong Faelnar and Boni “Surefire” Suico, braved the weather and proceeded to Baguio, where they were hit by the storm. They had to leave their bikes lying on the ground otherwise the winds would have blown it off the road.

By early morning Friday, Typhoon “Emong” was already spent and we rode to Baguio City to join the Big Bike Convention. Group one stayed at the Baguio Country Club, while group two stayed at the Baguio Palace Hotel. By Saturday, the second group rode to Mt. Data, while the first group stayed to enjoy Baguio, which had began to rain again.

As it was Therese Gonzales’ nth birthday, the group that stayed behind was invited to an impromptu birthday bash in Mario’s Restaurant, just in time for hubby Ed Gonzalez to arrive bringing with him the trophy for Runner-up in the Best in Video Presentation during the convention. Of course, a special birthday cake was presented to the birthday girl.

While the convention was a success despite the threat of Typhoon “Emong”, the afternoon rains spoiled the outdoor activities. By Monday, it was time to head back to Manila, taking the same North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and straight to the Diosdado Macapagal International Terminal to board SuperFerry 5 back to Cebu. Next year’s annual Convention will be in Cebu, hosted by the V-Max Owners Group (VOG).