Bikers unite to save the Philippine Eagle

MANILA, Philippines - It was the first time for 15-year-old newbie biker April Jay Abon to join a biking event. And for him, the exhilarating feeling of reaching the finish line more than made up for aching limbs and tired muscles brought about by the grueling 55-kilometer biking trail.

A fourth year high school student in Assumption College of Davao, Jay was one of the 82 individuals who signed up for the first Globe Arakan XC (cross-country) event, which brought bikers from Davao City to Arakan Valley in North Cotabato. Their mission: not only to test their mettle in cross-country biking but most importantly, to help protect, preserve, and conserve the Philippine Eagle habitat.

Though most of the trail was along the national road, the uphill climb coupled with the distance, forced practically half of the bikers to bail out. But Jay was an exception. With his strong stamina and endurance brought about by youth, perseverance, and training, Jay was able to complete the challenge including the last five-kilometer stretch which even 4x4 vehicles had difficulty navigating due to the muddy terrain, loose gravel, deep potholes and huge ground depressions.

For his part, 31-year old Jason Yap, a veteran of sports challenges and a triathlete, placed first as he clocked in three hours, four minutes, and three seconds followed by Medel Galendez with 3:37:33. Oscar Escudero, a very fit and youthful looking 62-year old doctor, the oldest in the group, bagged third place with 3:42:22.

“My plan was just to do a fun ride and support the advocacy at the same time. But when I learned that there were only three bikers ahead of me — that was when I decided to give my all and finish the course. Considering the terrain, I think my time is good enough,” said Yap, who has been doing mountain biking since 2007 as he pointed out that the terrain was quite challenging and technical in nature due to a number of uphill and downhill slopes.

The trail was carefully chosen by the Everest Outdoors team of Mt. Everest Summiteer Pastour Emata together with Dax Ang to show the current state of Arakan Valley where isolated forest fragments are located. These forest fragments prove to be biologically and ecologically important as they are the home of the Philippine eagle, an endangered breed. Arakan is situated at the northeastern tip of the province of North Cotobato and bounded in the east by Davao City.

Globe Arakan XC (cross-country) is the first attempt of Globe to bring its environmental advocacy to Mindanao after having successfully done similar activities for the protection of the Cordillera mountain ranges and the Taal Lake. For this activity, the beneficiary is the Philippine Eagle Foundation, which handles the Arakan Forest Corridor Development Initiative, a community-based reforestation project.

“We continue to look for environmentally critical areas to support and found it in Arakan. We’re here for the long haul. We don’t want projects like this to be one-off. So we’re already thinking about how to make it more exciting next year,” said Rob I. Nazal, head of Globe corporate social responsibility.

Globe continues to accept donations of any amount for PEF via GCASH or bank deposit. The donation may be deposited to the Philippine Eagle Conservation Program Foundation Inc. BPI Quirino Branch, Davao City (account no. 9441-0113-31) or via GCASH smartphone mobile application or through *143#, GCASH option.