A Pinoy Biker’s Philippine Rural Adventures

I am posting this email I received from the Firefly Brigade Yahoo Group:

This is to formally invite fellow TOF marshalls and other biking enthusiast to assist in a short fifteen (15) km. family fun biking at sunrise to commemorate Earth Day and Reconciliation Week. The route starts at the Peace Bell near the parking entrance of the Quezon Memorial Circle and moves towards Kalayaan, Xavierville, and a u-turn at Katipunan. We shall have a 15 minute water break at the Ecology center in Miriam College, and then back to katipunan, enter UP, u-turn at Commonwealth, PHILCOA, and re-enter the QMC via the Commonwealth gate. At least two motorized trafic enforcers will escort us, courtesy of the Quezon City local government.Peace walkers and strollers will join us upon our return at around 7:45 am. The bikes will be parked and guarded near the center stage while all the marshalls and all the participants will have Kape, Keso at Pan de Sal after a brief interfaith ceremony and ringing of the peace bell. Fr. Archie Casey leads the prayers for the Catholic Christians, Ustadz Wahab Ahmad, for the Muslims, Neil Fukui, for the Shinto tradition and Bro. Raph Ocoma for the nonviolence movement. Ms. Planas will also welcome the participants and explain the significance of the Peace Bell and of Article 9 of the Japan Peace Constitution (a petition letter has been prepared in connection with this article).

Odette Alcantara, a co-organizer of the Earth Day 2007 Formal Ceremony that follows, has agreed to weave into our Reconciliation and Integrity of Creation early morning program. She welcomes all of us to their one-hour (8:15 to 9:15) program of choir singing, messages and call to action. Their invited guest include Tony Meloto (Gawad Kalinga), Ed Dela Torre (Earth day Network), the DENR Secretary, and the Quezon City Mayor .As many as a hundred seats have been reserved for the bikers whom she describes as the “genuine” Earth day heroes. More breakfast will be served for the guests after their program.

Please confirm your participation by replying to this email or through text at 09178315703.

Salamat sa mga kaibigan at organizers ng Firefly Brigade at 9th TOF sa kaalaman, pagsasanay at pagkakataong makatulong para sa kalikasan at sa kapwa. Salamat din sa mga spectacular na pictures!

Chito Generoso

In behalf of the co-organizers:

Center for Peace Education, Miriam College
Young Moro Professionals Network
Interfaith Center for a Culture of Nonviolence