A Pinoy Biker’s Philippine Rural Adventures

Last Sunday was an eventful day for this biker.

We finally made our presentation of the bike advocacy kit our batch has been trying to produce for about a month now. Then, I had my first taste of an adventure race (mini though it was). Then, after a tuna pasta lunch (with a vegetarian variety for a vegetarian Firefly) prepared by Firefly Mia, we had a group dynamics session, which showed us a way to appreciate our group mates on a deeper level.

I did not know that the Firefly Brigade officers were ending their terms on that day, and that they have called a General Assembly, wherein a new set of officers will be elected. So after declaring a quorum, Jack, the president recalled the achievements of the Firefly for the past year. And after explaining the need to elect a new set of officers and how it is to be done, proceeded to open the table for the election. Firefly Brigade officers are in for two years. Although this biker was newly inducted to the ranks of Firefly Brigade members, I was elected to be one of the new officers. It is an honor for me and I accepted it without any fanfare.

Later, Jack revealed that there are plans to make next year’s Tour of the Firefly nationwide. He said that the Brigade has already found partners from Northern Luzon and from Mindanao, but not takers yet from the Visayas. One compelling reason to go nationwide is that next year will be the 10th edition of the Tour. I concurred that indeed it is a milestone worth celebrating nationwide. As it should be a group decision, Jack put the motion to vote on the issue. There were sixteen of us left in the group, after some left following the election. Before voting, some members asked for clarification about funding, venue, contact persons, coordinators, etc.  All of which were answered, to my view, satisfactorily by Jack and the other senior members. Then we voted. Surprisingly it was an even 8-8. Further discussions ensued but the issue still wasn’t resolved. It was decided to defer making a decision and future meetings to discuss the issue were planned.

The meeting was adjourned. A snack of tasty pancit followed (and with another vegetarian version), again courtesy of Firefly Mia . The new set of officers decided to meet next Saturday.