Day 1 Highlights of Philippine Bicycle Demo and Expo 2024 Christmas Edition

Cyclists from across the country converged at the CCP Open Grounds on Saturday (Nov. 30) to experience the Christmas version of the Philippine Bicycle Demo and Expo. 

Competitions and raffles, as well as introducing new bicycle tech for the year 2025, became a source of entertainment and enthusiasm for attendees.

This edition of the two-day, semi-annual cycling fair has been co-presented by 1Munti Partylist, a political entity contesting in the country’s May 2025 general election. 

According to the organizers, they have requested the partylist’s collaboration to emphasize the importance of active mobility and cycling as a form of transport aside from it being a hobby or a sport. 

1Munti Explains Role of Cycling Advocacy in Election Platforms

The partylist’s primary platform is civic action for the welfare of children and the youth, particularly physical and mental health, job search assistance, and the promotion of sports, among others. 

Partylist first nominee Raffy Garcia emphasized the importance of educating road safety to children as early as possible, not only as pedestrians but also as cyclists. 

“We believe that this is a starter for everyone; that you’re disciplined as a pedestrian, and you should be disciplined also when you start driving a motorcycle [or a] car,” he said. “We formed this partylist to advocate for a lot of programs that would benefit the children by promoting cycling among kids. We also try to promote physical activities as early as possible.”

Also present during the event was Jojay Alcaraz, another of the partylist’s nominees who is a lawyer and road safety advocate who has been consulted by the Philippine Department of Transportation and other government and non-government organizations both locally and abroad. She provided plans to strengthen current legislation regarding road safety, as well as priority legislation and provisions regarding the matter. 

However, the partylist has not specified any successful and practical urban cycling models as an example, such as the Dutch one applied in Amsterdam.

Team APOL Leads Charity Ride for Ian How

Meanwhile, a contingent of cyclists have converged in Muntinlupa to conduct a charity ride towards the CCP Open Grounds for the benefit of Ian How after he was rushed to hospital earlier this week due to pulmonary edema. 

He has since been discharged from hospital and recuperating in his home in Bulacan. 

One of the organizers, Lane Sawc, a hobby cyclist and former SarapMagBike Shop staffer, said she got herself involved with the impromptu fundraiser since she intends to be of help to those who are in need. 

“I have no idea how many cyclists joined this ride,” she told Paper Straw Media. “But I expect it to be numerous because the destination is the Bike Demo event.”

Sawc also explained that her interest in cycling is an outlet for her to be involved in outdoor activities like going to natural landmarks, especially during the pandemic. 

“I used to ride motorcycles before to get to places,” she added. “I was not able to get to the places I would like to go because I cannot access some of them on a motorcycle.”

She also wished her former employer well and to take care of himself. 

“I hope he gets well soon,” she said. “I also hope he will minimize his physical activities for the time being because he needs a lot of rest … and not to push his body too hard.”

It is understood that Ian How has been previously diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in 2022. 

Ian How’s fellow Team APOL creators Ronnie “Uysi Batman” Dizon and “Ser Noel” Paguia echo the same sentiments, especially because they have visited him in hospital. 

“During the first few days [he was confined in hospital], there were only a limited number of people who were able to enter the intensive care unit since he had labored breathing due to the fluids in his lungs,” Dizon explained. “Thanks be to God, and through your prayers and Ian’s fighting spirit, he has since recovered.”

Dizon also told Paper Straw Media that another charity ride is set to take place on Dec. 8, but fell short of providing further details at that time. 

On the other hand, Paguia, a close relative of former Sexbomb Girl Jopay Paguia-Zamora, said Ian How might need to take some time off from entertaining visitors to his home while recovering. 

“Ian, your people are here, some of them are still stuck in traffic,” he addressed his recovering colleague, referring to the scores of cyclists who joined the charity ride and were still arriving at the event during that time.