ABOUT US ...

Bikers One Philippines

Where LIFE is a journey…..

People move from one place to another. Life is a constant journey.

We, Filipinos, are fun-loving people. We love to travel as far as we can go. Our stay in this world is really a pilgrimage. We are the people on the way!

Bikers One Philippines is an initiative of Among Ben, a diocesan priest from the Bicol Region, and a native of Bacacay, Albay. He is now incardinated or permanently serving the Catholic faithful in Kuwait.

Among Ben founded the Bikers One to organize rides and fun, both for the highly organized and individual riders, in the Philippines, his native country. This initiative is a spark or a reflection inspired by the Shepherd One of the Vatican and the Airforce One of the U.S. President. Among Ben muses, "When you travel with the Bikers One, you are number one!"

During Among Ben's Web-surfing, and from the experiences of his friends and being a rider himself, he knows very well that many biker groups and even individuals are going anywhere, and some for a pilgrimage. As a Bicolano, he has witnessed, even during his seminary days, how riders from all over the country are going for a pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of the Our Lady of Penafrañcia Basilica Minore, Naga City, and to some parts of the Bicol Region.

Now, it is about time, as Among Ben mulled over, to organize a pilgrimage and a tour especially for the Celebration of the 300 Years of Devotion in honor of Our Lady of Penafrañcia (1710-2010). He believes in the powerful intercessions of Mama Mary -- the Mother of Jesus, and our Mother, too. Like Jesus, She is also in our pilgrimage of life.

Among Ben is very much enthusiastic in this endeavor that many riders will join and will make a very positive response in this first-ever long ride organized under the Biker One Philippines this coming September 10-14, 2010. As of today, May 19, 2010, some 60 Big Bike Riders will be joining, and other people will join by convoys, according to his source in Manila.

To further unite all bikers in the Philippines under one umbrella – the Bikers One Philippines – Among Ben also authored a social networking site, http://bikersonephilippines.org, designed for riders to gain friends, to meet other fellow riders from all over the Philippines, and to unify them as one family of motorbikers. It is open to all motorbikers, with or without a group, to have fun, meet and gain new friends with the same hobby, likes, and adventures in life. Thanks and acknowledgment to the Web team: Chito as Sys Admin, Timi as Web-Developer, and Daniel as Graphics Designer.

The Tagline and Motto of Bikers One Philippines is "Where LIFE is a journey", telling us that our life is truly a pilgrimage -- we walk and fight for life! At the end of our earthly journey, we shall meet our Creator, the God of our life. We also need to meditate that life is a journey; as riders, God is with us when we travel. He is accompanying us till we reach our destination. We are not alone. God is always on our side. Our fellow riders and new friends are with us, too, because of our common goal -- to gain life in heaven.

Let us all enjoy the fruits of our journey and the treasures of being friends.

God bless our journey,

Among Ben

BIG CELEBRATION IN NAGA CITY PHILIPPINES

BIG CELEBRATION this SEPTEMBER 2010 IN NAGA CITY

TERCENTENARY EVENTS

“300 YEARS OF DEVOTION”

Theme: “GROWING IN HOLINESS UNDER THE MANTLE OF INA”

The Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is a one-week affair that starts on the second Friday of September when the miraculous Ina is transferred from her shrine to the centuries-old Naga Metropolitan Cathedral. This procession is locally called traslacion where the miraculous images of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and of the Divino Rostro journey to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Naga City for a Novena and Holy Masses. This has begun in 1885, and it ushers in the weeklong festivities in the locality. A nine-day novena and prayers are held in her honor. This event is considered as the biggest and most popular religious event in the Philippines.

The feast begins with the Virgin’s image (which is a copy of the Madonna in Spain) being brought to the Naga Cathedral where millions of Bicolanos, devotees, and pilgrims hold a novena. Showing to the whole Christian world their unshakable faith and loyalty to the Lady, their Divine Mother, the people kneel on the ground and bow their heads as the Virgin passes through downtown Naga atop a colorful pagoda that also carries her various images and icons.

During the traslacion, which passes through the main streets of Naga, the miraculous Ina of the Bicolanos is borne on the rugged, muscular shoulders of barefooted voyadores who form a human barricade to protect the Virgin from the unruly crowd. Mindless of the scorching sun, the devotees adhere to the towering pagoda in an impressive display of faith.

Novena and prayers for nine consecutive days are held. High ranking officials and other powerful people vie for the honor of sponsoring a certain night’s novena. Bicolanos also visit their relatives and friends for merriment, sharing food, drinks, and prayers. On the last day, the Virgin is returned to her shrine by crossing the Naga River.

The evening procession is flanked by thousands of devotees and pilgrims in boats carrying thousands of lit candles while kneeling and bowing their heads in prayer. When the image reaches her destination, the followers joyfully shout “Viva la Virgin” (Long Live the Virgin!) to the heavens.

A multicolored pagoda carrying the images/icons of the Virgin of Peñafrancia and the Divino Rostro passes through the Bicol River. The fluvial procession marks the return of the Virgin from the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral to her home shrine at the Basilica.

Peñafrancia Viva La Virgen Festival (2006)

from http://www.philippinecountry.com/

Millions of Bicolanos will once again show to the whole Christian world their strong faith and loyalty to their Heavenly Mother. Again, we will hear the triumphant sounding shouts of VIVA LA VIRGEN! VIVA! VIVA EL DIVINO ROSTRO! VIVA!

See you in Naga City this September 2010: 300 Years Celebration!