Ride to freedom

Sunday last week was the Fourth of July, American Independence Day, also known as Filipino-American Friendship Day. Last Sunday, an intrepid group of bikers combined their passion with a historically significant event, and gave themselves a meaningful excuse to hop onto their Harley-Davidsons.

On its second year, the Fil-American All Nations Freedom Ride sought to trace the route of the horrific Death March astride their iron horses. The call went out from businessman Rey Pineda, who is also the president of the Philippine Lawn Bowls Association. And the response was swift and strong.

“We have a very deep shared history with America,” Pineda explained.

“And in our community, there are many expats who love riding Harleys and who also wanted to commemorate this significant event not just in Philippine history, but in human history.”

The trek began at the designated rendezvous point inside the former Clark airbase. Early morning, riders began arriving in trickles, then in larger and larger groups, dressed for the occasion and fiercely looking the part. Almost everyone came in leather, dark sunglasses and bandanas, sporting thick facial hair. And almost everyone came riding a Harley. These were no descendants of the daredevil Evel Knievel, though a handful did fly the Stars and Stripes. No, these were the classic bikers, big guys who like having roaring horsepower between their legs, so to speak. They were sweating just standing there, dying to get on the open road with the wind blowing in their faces. They came from many different nations, not just the US and this country.

Everyone wore the symbols of his group, from the ubiquitous Mad Dogs to local clubs, and even the Angeles Police. Contingents came from as far away as Metro Manila and Nueva Ecija. The spirit of the idea moved them. It was a very imposing group. And to think this year’s ride was prepared with only a couple of weeks’ notice because of the elections.

With their police escorts and Pineda leading the way, the bikers rode off in two lines, one led with the Philippine flag, one with the American standard. It was a big group, more than 50 big bikes in all, not including their escorts and trail vehicles. A few grumbled good-naturedly that the trip would take longer because of President Aquino’s “no wang wang” policy. Gone were the good old days, they chuckled.

The first destination was Nueva Ecija. Cabanatuan is the site of a memorial to the fallen of World War II. A white marble marker even lists the names of West Point Alumni – including a few well-known Filipinos – who fell during the Death March itself, and the war.

Reading the names of the brave men who graduated from that prestigious military academy that also produced Filipino president Fidel Ramos (the names listed as having passed West Point from 1904 to 1940), sent chills down my spine.

The roar of the engines died down and the group took a sober mood. They unfurled their flags, and walked respectfully to the monument. They gathered around the tribute to the fallen, bowed their heads and prayed. Pineda thanked the group, and reminded everyone that freedom comes at a price, one that is paid every day, but becomes even steeper when it is challenged. The group posed for photographs.

Next stop: Subic. The giant flagpole in front of SBMA headquarters fronting the sea was the setting for the classic Filipino “boodle fight”. Banana leaves stretched out over connected long tables, covered with rice, salted egg, tomatoes, bananas, chicken and pork adobo and dried fish. No utensils. After another prayer of solidarity, the starving group of intimidating men suddenly fell silent. Who could talk with his mouth full?

The heat of the day and the inviting grass overcame some riders, who simply stretched out and snoozed in the late afternoon sun. Another leg to Morong, Bataan was shelved because of foreboding clouds overhead.

“This has the makings of a major event, with the proper awareness,” Pineda reminded. “It’s a cause that everybody is willing to support, because our countrymen shed blood together for a common cause. It is both a solemn remembrance and a cause for celebration.”

And it took a huge bunch of outwardly gruff, overly macho men who were unlikely friends to remind us of the tender sacrifice that ransomed our freedom decades ago.