UNANG SALVO NG ONEnduro!

UNANG SALVO NG ONEnduro

Looking back at a successfully event, a grateful heart weaves an ode to those who in one way or another contributed to it.

But first, let me tell thee, the tale of ONEnduro. 

There was once a woman who desperately wanted to improve and change  how her former colleagues organize enduro events,  and a man who trusted her and shared  her vision of a more organized, more efficient and more fun  MTB Enduro events in the country.  They took on the challenge of  breaking out of the shadow of an unsavory organization and  formed a new, dynamic and  progressive one. They then merrily pedalled their way twist, bump, rough terrain and all ... and that ladies and gentlemen is  how ONEnduro  was born.  ONEnduro  means ONE NATION ENDURO  (ONE), our prolific creative director  Bhokie Senar, coined the name ONEnduro, thank you Bhokie for the name that singularly sums up our vision. To Nestor Santamaria III, the president of ONEnduro,  I know you are  an extremely low key person and you don’t want your name mentioned but allow me just this once to mention you and thank you for having my back,  there will never be ONEnduro without you.

Have you heard of the word “Nanganay”, that perfectly  sums up my Unang Salve sa Patiis Experience as an organizer?  ‘Birthing’ something isn’t exactly a holiday but as any mother will understand the analogy, after seeing those smiling, happy faces after the Unang Salvo sa Patiis event, it was all worth it.

Before we even  begin,  there was an unexpected knot  we have to clear and  I am grateful to my cousin for making my life easier  and helping me with it.  First lesson I learned, your family and your  trusted friend  will always have your back.

I would like to say thank you to the Batang Patiis group, especially to Mr. Jay Sanchez, for setting aside his affiliation with the  Enduro Alliance and accommodating us. Thank you for being our partner in the Unang Salvo sa Patiis, it was a breeze working with you  and the Batang Patiis group, sa uulitin. Thank you to Mr. Edrie Ocampo also from Enduro Alliance for being graceful and  joining the race.  Enduro Alliance mounts  enduro races in Luzon while we organize races from all over the Philippines, the Philippine Enduro Series.  Like what I’ve told Edrie, we are a small community and we only want the best for it. So collaboration will always be better than competition, that’s why I made it sure that our race schedules do  not overlap.  We will always  be supporting Enduro Alliance just like how they supported us.

To the wisdom shared by Mam Anna, Ives, Walrus, Dennis, and others (you guys know who you are) thank you! No word can express my gratitude! to all of you. I struggled to break free from the image of an old affiliation, that I have to make pronouncements about it. But I guess after Patiis, we have already proven that  this is a completely new group. We promise to work hard to be better, worthy of your trust and confidence.

To the other two members of our team,  Nammi Gardoce  our PRO, thank you for  easily trusting me after I asked you to join our team.  To our race director, Renan Ricafrente  thank you for completing our team ,  also thank you  for trusting us. Your dedication and  passion for the MTB sport is unparalleled.  I know we have a long way to go, challenges will always be there but with a strong team members like you guys, I will always be  confident and proud of our team.

To our marketing arm the RSBE, Ms. Lyn and Marie, to the Red Cross medics,  to Kuya Richard and the “mga batak sa Patiis,”   to Kuya Edong  of Edong’s Tapsi, to our sponsors and media partners, to the RUROK TEAM for rendering their services for free  and  installing the bike mechanic station to help  the riders during the race day. We are thankful to all of you.  To Mam Anna Liza Faminialagao of Sanduro/Basekamp, thank you mam for your support. To Mr. Ronald Dela Rosa for hosting our awarding ceremony, thank you sir. To the photographers, Ms.Isa Halamani of Rurok bike, Bernard Canlas, Team SER, Spokes and Gear Cycle Shop, Foto Xycle, Olive and Zelle Cinco.  The riders are always looking forward to their action shots, so thank you sa inyong mga mamimitik, pinaligaya nyo ang mga riders sa inyong mga petmalu na pitik.

Elite Category winners

Finally to all the teams who  supported us,  thank you very much. You guys are our inspiration, to deliver the best for you. Team Prima, Norco Phils., TYK Bike Hub, Team Commencal PH, Ground Zero, Enduro Cam Sur, SPD8, Hopecycle, Bicrosser, G-fort,  Giant Factory Off Road team, Joyride, Teamburgy Racing, Dirt Monkeys, Trail Extreme , K&K, LUAt, Attack, Team Brownrice, Sampaloc Enduro Racing, Mandirigma 109 , Rottenwheels, Batang Patiis, MSCP, MFR, Reklamo Racing Team, 80’s Gravity, MTBx4ULUL, Batang ulol, Sandugo Basekamp, IMPERIAL, SIPAT DNF, Weekend Rider, Bike Line-VSKS, Giant MFR, Drift77, Navigator, KFT, Gelos Cycling Apparel, 1FDR, BMXERs80s, Spoke and Gears  Race Team, Endurojunkies ph,GMTB, Free agent, Sessionistas, Tag-BUNDOK, ALERT, Privateer, TGH,   Team Sarapok, Team Birdland, SCRacing, Tagyuna,  Pineapple Express, Team Haooh Ciclismo,  Kona Racing Philippines, FUA, HAGZPAGZ, Dirty Drankers, WIFE, Team Brusko, ZE4400, Peashoot, Churva, 922 Cycle Team,  KKK, NOOB, Yakan Team, ZERO,  Team Basilan, MBC Ph, Mudbikers, TeamPadJAC, IloveKC, Team Group Hug, & Padyak Jubail.

Of course thank you to my family, to  my husband who supports me 101% and to my two daughters who constantly cheer on me. I am grateful to the three of you, for the love and support.  Going home after the race day, I was dog tired, but when my daughter asked  me, “So mommy,  how was the race?” I said, “I think it went pretty well! “, then she said, “ That’s nice! Congratulations! “ , I think that was the best compliment I have ever received in a long time.

Lastly, to everyone who supported us, maraming  maraming salamat.