They are experienced bikers who love animals. For their next bike adventure, they aim to help 67 rescued dogs and cats of Save Animals of Love and Light (Save ALL).
Padyak Para kay Bantay at Muning is a three-day Manila-Masbate-Cebu -Bohol bike tour organized by Virgilio Bugaoisan, 47, a former journalist-turned-media specialist to raise funds and urge people to donate dog food and pet supplies for rescues in two small care homes of Save ALL.
On Nov. 12, Sunday, Bugaoisan and friends Renando Mallare Sy, 37, Lito Guardaquivil, 42, and Max Ternora, Ryan Christopher Macalong, Patrick Duruin and Jonathan Olfato of Team Harkor/Ifit Pro Unlimited Cyclists will start the bike tour from Mall of Asia (MOA), Pasay at 12 a.m.
On Nov. 13, they expect to reach Masbate.
On Nov. 14, they will arrive in Cebu and bike to Bohol.
“I've been doing crazy bike rides but it was all for self- fulfillment. A week from now, me and my friends are doing another crazy bike adventure but this time, we are doing it to help ensure the continuing operation of Save ALL, an animal rescue and rehabilitation center, “ says Bugaoisan.
Since turning to cycling four years ago, this two-time super randonneur (a biker who has finished the 200 km, 300km, 400km, 600km Audax Brevet ride in one year) has logged in a total of 47,706 kilometers of cycling mileage.
Apart from his bikes, Bugaoisan is a passionate dog lover and adores his three mini-pinchers named Chacka, Coke and Sparkle.
He says he decided to turn his latest bike adventure into a charity ride when he realized the dire situation of Save ALL “which has been working so hard to help our abandoned furry best friends.”
Save ALL is a non-government organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and has rescued or assisted in the rescue of 323 dogs and cats in the past four years.
These animals were dying on the streets of Metro Manila, were hit by a vehicle, were abandoned in Cavite or Rizal, or were due to be euthanized (put to sleep) or were dying due to several illnesses in a pound.
Most have been adopted after new owners were screened.
At present, Save ALL has 67 rescued dogs and cats in its custody and needs help to continue caring for the rescues in two small care homes. Save ALL needs donations of dog food, cat food, rice, vegetables, coco nectar, dog shampoo and soap, old towels, cleaning materials like dishwashing liquid and detergent soap to wash towels and blankets of dogs, heartworm prevention, deworming tablets, anti-tick and flea spot-ons, LC Vit multivitamins, among others.
Save ALL is thus grateful to Bugaoisan for organizing this bike-for-a-cause to be able to continue providing the needs of the rescued animals.
On the other hand, Sy, a transmission line/electrical engineer of SN Aboitiz Power group assigned at Maris South Canal Hydrauelectric Power Plant, says: " I am a dog lover and as a parent, I teach my child to care for our environment and for animals. Through this cause, I can support –in my own little way –our homeless friends. Dogs leave paw prints in our hearts forever."
Just like Bugaoisan, Sy is a two-time Super Randonneur and former record holder of several Audax brevet rides.
Sy and other Team Harkor/Ifit Pro Unlimited Cyclists– Max Ternora, Ryan Christopher Macalong, Patrick Duruin and Jonathan Olfato– circled Nothern luzon for only three days.
Another dog lover, Guardaquivil, 42, a supervising legislative officer of the committee on rules of the House of Representatives and also a two-time super randonneur joined the bike tour because: "I consider this ride a great opportunity to bike all the way from Manila to Bohol and help Save ALL at the same time. Enjoy na, nakatulong pa ako."
For donations and contact persons, details are in the poster on the event.
Have a great Sunday, everyone! Namaste!