Filipino-Canadian mountain bike enthusiasts raise funds for Sendong victims
Filipino-Canadian mountain bike enthusiasts raise funds for Sendong victims
They braved the cold weather and icy trail to raise funds for the survivors of typhoon Sendong back home.
Twenty three members of Ontario Pinoy MTB Riders (OPM) and Pinoy Pedal Pushers of Brampton (PPP) held a fun ride on January 7 in The Forge Park, Caledon, Ontario.
The cold weather and slippery conditions of the 30-kilometer trail did not prevent the riders including 12-year old Dylan Lacap from riding their MTBs for one good reason.
The participants came from different places: Toronto, Ajax, Brampton, Kitchener, Mississauga, Vaughan, and Burlington.
Dubbed as Bike for a Cause, the event was collaborative efforts of the OPM and the PPP with one purpose: to help the victims of typhoon Sendong in Northern Mindanao, particularly in Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City.
Typhoon Sendong battered Northern Mindanao in December 2011, causing massive destructions and deaths in the area.
The group raised more than $900 through event fees and donations. Some MTB enthusiasts, who were not able to participate, also donated amounts to the funds.
The funds were donated to Migrante Canada’s Sagip Migrante Relief Operation for the victims of Typhoon Sendong through the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) and InPeace Mindanao Network, two partner organizations of Migrante in the affected areas in Mindanao.
Robert Pamplona of PPP and Edwin Pabitu of OPM were both thankful to their fellow riders and all the people who supported the event.
The bikers (including this writer) were all tired, yet happy and contented after the ride.
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