Just do something

The National Resource Operations Center (NROC) is busy as a hive as eager volunteers do their part for the people of the Visayas. Photo by author.

 
The Ride of Hope has ended, but the real work of bringing help to those in need is still in full swing.

We had the privilege of being part of the relief effort for our kababayan in the Visayas even for a few short hours tonight. Together with our friends, we pitched in at the repacking operation at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)'s National Resource Operations Center (NROC) in Pasay City.

Cat (left) and Kali (right) sorting sardines.

I personally believe this is the perfect time for followers of Jesus to put faith into action. We need to mobilize and get our act together--not because of any proselytizing agenda, but because it is the right thing to do.

That's Leo (left) sorting boxes during a lull in the operation. Belle is somewhere to the right, moving relief kits.

As soon as my schedule permits, I would like to go back and help. Meanwhile, as we await pledges to the Ride of Hope, helping with the re-packing operation is a good idea to get things going.

Because doing something, no matter how small, is better than doing nothing.

Because helping is more fun with friends. From left: Kali, Cat, John.

The Ride of Hope still accepts pledges for musical instruments for Faith Bible Christian Church Central in Binan, Laguna, as well as for victims of super typhoon "Yolanda." You can leave a comment to ask the author for bank details.

Walk-in volunteers are welcome at the DSWD-NROC near the NAIA Terminal 1 in Pasay City.

Ride of Hope 2013, Second Leg

Second leg riders, from left: C-j, Leo, the author.

The team failed to reach the Tagaytay endpoint on the second leg of Ride of Hope 2013. Severe cramps forced the riders to turn back from the climbs of Silang and limp home, taking all of seven hours just to reach our home base in Sucat.

My deepest thanks goes to the riders, support crew, sponsors and of course, friends and family who supported this endeavor:

Joy Ride Club (JRC) Ride Of Hope 2013 Team:

Michael Casilum
C-J Indiongco
Leo Bocayes

Special thanks to:

Bisikleta Republika
Jomel & Leony Medina
Safetees Clothing

Special-special thanks to:
Friends and family :D
Faith Bible Christian Church Central & Joy Christian Fellowship for your prayers and support
And to everyone who have made their pledges

Pledges will be accepted until the end of the month.

Our ride is just a drop in the bucket compared to the ginormous task of rebuilding the cities and communities affected especially by "Yolanda." I wish we could have done more, and I fervently pray that you can help us help.

Thank you to everyone and God bless us all.

Ride of Hope 2013, First Leg

At the halfway point of the First Leg at Joy Christian Fellowship in Intramuros. Photo by Cat Zuniga

The first leg for the 2013 Ride of Hope was safely concluded early this afternoon. It covered a little over 48kms and took about three hours.

We have a little under 12 hours in preparation for the second leg, which is meant to raise funds for the benefit of the people affected by the Bohol Earthquake as well as the historic typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan).

The ascent to Tagaytay is always the hardest part, followed by the drab plains of Imus in Cavite where we will be passing on our way back. But we need to remember why we will be riding tomorrow, and that is because of the people affected by this:

Your pledges will go a long way to restoring the lives of these people. Proceeds and pledges of the Second Leg will be coursed through the Ayala Foundation.

Why We Ride

On November 10, I will be celebrating another year of God-given life. As such, I wish to make my birthday a celebration not focused on me, but as a way of blessing others.

The annual Ride of Hope is one such way in which I can celebrate another year of life by helping those who are in dire need. Instead of collecting gifts, I would like to pass on any blessing I may receive to those who need encouragement as well as tangible assistance.

In view of the recent spate of disasters—typhoon “Maring” and the habagat, the 2013 Bohol Earthquake, and now, typhoon “Yolanda,” the strongest typhoon so far on record—the 2013 edition of the Ride of Hope will contribute to helping our kababayan who have borne the brunt of these calamities.

The First Leg on November 9 aims to raise funds to purchase musical instruments for Faith Bible Christian Church Central in Biñan, Laguna, a church that was hard-hit by typhoon “Maring.” I wish to help them as this church was one of the first to help us when my lola passed away in 2007.

The riders will be covering around 50kms from Sucat to my home church Joy Christian Fellowship in Manila and back to Sucat via Makati and Bonifacio Global City.

The Second Leg on November 10 will take the riders on a more challenging route from Sucat to Tagaytay and back. This ride aims to raise funds and pledges for those affected by the Bohol Earthquake and typhoon “Yolanda” through the Ayala Foundation.

The entire Second Leg will cover a distance of a little over 100kms plus an elevation of about 500m above sea level.

You can be a part of this effort in two ways. 

1. Per-Kilometer Pledge. You can pledge an amount on a per-kilometer basis. For as little as one peso per kilometer, you can pledge as much as Php150.00 for the First and Second legs.

2. One-Time Pledge. You can pledge a fixed amount regardless of the distance the riders actually covered. 

You can choose to support either or both the First and Second phases of the Ride.

We hope that you will be a part of this endeavor. Not only will you make my birthday celebration meaningful—you will have an opportunity to invest in the life of someone who needs a helping hand.