BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—It started with 38 bike enthusiasts from the Veterans Regional Hospital in this town to promote the “Bike for Life,” a program designed to promote healthy lifestyle and longevity.
Dr. Cirilo Galindez, VRH chief, said they launched the project last year with the three-day, 200-kilometer bike ride challenge from San Jose City en route to Central Pangasinan, San Fernando in La Union, and Baguio City back to Nueva Vizcaya via Ambuklao, Benguet and Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya.
The bikers had a convoy of seven support staff composed of drivers, cooks, and a documentor. They were also supported by a semi-large truck, two pick-up trucks, two sport utility vehicles, and a passenger vehicle.
Before embarking on their route, blessings of the Lord were regularly invoked, followed by a briefing among the participants, Galindez said.
The bikers showed their stamina and perseverance by reaching their neighboring medical centers such as Region 1 Training and Medical Center in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center in San Fernando, La Union, and Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center in Baguio City.
“This activity aims to advocate and promote healthy lifestyle, strengthen camaraderie among our employees, and inter-medical linkages and networking and influence others in nearby regions to adhere to healthy living,” Galindez said.
The VRH bikers were accommodated by the local government of Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan, who provided shelter, showers, comfort rooms and water through the Department of Social Welfare and Development office, R1TMC, ITRMC officials and staff, and BGHMC chief Dr. Emmanuel Acluba, who was a former VRH chief.
The group also paid a visit to the Lt. Tidang Memorial Hospital in Kayapa before heading home to the VRH.
George Basilio, VRH information officer, said although the trek did not require a full-time adventure on the bike, the endeavor yielded almost 200 kilometers traveled per participant, setting a record high in calories burned.
He said the activity, which will be done regularly, is expected to attract more bikers to advocate and promote healthy lifestyle in Nueva Vizcaya and nearby provinces.
“We are very grateful for the accommodations of our fellow health workers and former superiors along the way. It was a success so let’s do it again,” Galindez said.