Pilgrim bikers stop over Iloilo 
during ride from Aparri to Davao

Few years ago, to pedal from north to south was just a part of Jude’s dream.

But the first Liwanag World Festival for Creativity and Sustainable Development to be held in Davao City on January 29-31 lighted his way of turning that dream into reality.

Dubbed as Padyak Para sa Liwanag, Jude said that aside from promoting biking, the activity also aims to “connect the points of lights” of the places that they would pass during the 2,504 kilometer journey which started on January 2.

“All I want is to personally connect the lights,” Jude declared.

A native of Bayawan, Negros Oriental, Atilano Jude Cabangal encouraged his fellow biker, Tatay Felcon Rivera to start the journey from the top, in Aparri.

Because of one common desire, to discover the spirituality of Liwanag Festival and also as bike enthusiast, Valerie de Guzman from Baguio then joined the team.

THE JOURNEY

The three pilgrim bikers faced the hurdle of their journey; from jagged terrains, ruthless drivers to worst weather.

Their hardest was in Santa Praxedes, in the province of Cagayan.

Having no place to stay, they decided to stay in the wilderness with the members of the Philippine Army.

Because of their shabby looks, they were even mistaken as rebels; the Army took their identification cards, phones and other belongings.

“We were even padlocked inside the barangay hall,” Jude shared.

Having no time and resources to train, and with their own personal struggles, that scenario is just one the many obstacles they have endured.

For Tatay Felcon, as the breadwinner of the family, almost a month of absence is a huge problem.

“Wala akong maiiwan sa kanila, pero binigyan ako ni Jude kaya tumuloy na rin ako,” the 53-year old biker said.

Despite being the only girl in the team, Valerie never hinder, in fact, became the team’s added strength.

As the group’s leader, Jude said that amid the risks, he still needs to multi-task, like texting just to find contacts and support in their next spot.

On January 13, the trio reached Iloilo and shared how they survived almost one-half of their expedition.

But as they continue their journey, Enrique Cañizares III, a member of the MISSION Iloilo node, joined to bike with the team until they reach Davao City.

Mission stands for Movement of Imaginals for Sustainable Societies Through Initiatives, Organizing, and Networking.

Because of found inspiration, Enrique said that “biking to reach the light” is for others to be inspired also.

“Para makatipid,” Enrique also joked on why he chose to bike.

The team left Iloilo yesterday and pedalled to Buenavista, Guimaras and passed Pulupandan, Antique.

On the 15th, they are expected to reach Negros Occidental passing the towns of Mabinay, Bayawan and Dumaguete, wherein three bike groups are expected to join.

Another five bike groups will also join them on January 20 in Cebu.

They are expected to reach Mindanao on the 21st passing Cagayan de Oro.

As they reach Davao City on January 26, the group will light the torch to begin the Liwanag Festival.

LIWANAG FESTIVAL

The expedition, while in Luzon is like trying to see things, it is using the heart and spirituality in the Visayas and seeing the unfolding of lights and realization of dreams when we reached Mindanao, Jude said.

The festival will feature several world-renowned movers in society such as Seth Jordan, co-founder and co-initiator of Think Outward and Occupy Wallstreet and Barbara Marx Hubbard, president of Foundation for Conscious Evolution.

Gina Lopez, executive director of ABS-CBN Foundation, will give a presentation on Mobilizing Business to Defend Nature, while Tony Meloto, founder of Gawad Kalinga-Center for Social Innovation, will share his process of Reinventing Philippine Agriculture through Social Enterprise.

MISSION-Iloilo members will meanwhile share their initiatives in series of workshops on environmental practices and abundance.

The festival will highlight the importance of the synergy of all three spheres of society: government, business and civil society, in order to achieve a truly sustainable society.*