Batch63 (Fallen) Angels

Motorcycle Adventure
By Lito Quiogue


The other Sunday (March 13), four GS59 batch mates namely Bert Saenz, Doug Marcaida, Tonichi Grey, and Lito Quiogue (along with other road hogs) mounted their motorbikes for a biking trip to Tagaytay and Batangas. The morning sun was just warming up when they throttled up for the trip. At the onset, Lito was a bit fidgety. He knew that they would be going to Tagaytay which is crowded with cars and people lately. It was a scenario akin to being in Divisoria. After a while of biking however, the fear dissipated and the group began to enjoy the ride.

Beyond Tagaytay, the road wound down to Batangas. It was an opportunity for an exhilarating experience. The group zipped along through the sweeping bends and straights at break-neck speed of 120 to 140 kph. The road ended in Nasugbu where the group had an early lunch at the Dalampasigan restaurant. After a hearty meal and a well needed rest, they proceeded to Calaca and on to a resort that had not only the usual vacation amenities but a museum of all sorts of two-wheeled vehicles from monkey (miniature) bikes to heavily armed German military motorcycles.

Not to be missed in the said resort, is the section where practically all makes of BMW motorbikes both vintage and current models are on display. Unlike those you'd see in the Smithsonian, those bikes are in the same mint condition they were when they rolled out of the factory. Also found in the sprawling compound was an aviary of tropical birds like hornbills, makaws and parrots. What a sight!

From there the group motored up (via the Diokno Highway this time) back to Tagaytay to rest and fuel-up. It was already 4:00 when the group broke up in several groups and headed back home. In retrospect, the trip was not just about riding but a bonding experience with GS buddies. We remember Armando Tibajia (Mandy) who in grade 7 had a Vespa scooter and later in HS a 500cc BMW then the state-of-art motorcycle around town. It was actually Mandy who introduced Lito to bikes when he allowed him to test drive the Vespa and later the R50 "BM". Such was the experience so unforgettable that it became the ambition of Lito to own a BM. Through the years it was just wishful thought. However, it was only in 1997 at 53 that Lito decided to make that dream into a reality. So today, observe Lito with his bike and a smile on his face thinking of what Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) once said in the all too familiar quote:

"Twenty years from now, you'd be more sorry for the things that you didn't do than the things you did. So throw off the bowlines; Sail away from the safe harbor; Catch the wind in your sail to dream, discover and enjoy life." (to the fullest)

For those yearning to do what Bert, Doug, Tonichi and Lito dared to do, come and join up with the group when it goes on to its next sortie. It's never too late.


See slide show for more photos.