Nobody becomes who they are on their own. Behind every version of yourself there are people who pushed you, believed in you, or simply refused to leave when things got hard. Some of them are family, some are friends, and some just showed up at the right moment and never left. You don’t always realize it while it’s happening, but looking back, you can trace exactly who shaped you and how.
For me, it all leads back to three people. Here are the men who helped make me who I am today.
My Dad: The One Who Always Let Me Go
Every time I head out for a long ride, for a race, for anything that carries risk, my dad says the same thing: “Make sure you come back safely. But if you get injured, wag kang iiyak-iyak because you did what you love. Just get back stronger.” That one line carries a whole philosophy.
He’s not naive about the risks. He knows cycling has crashes and motorcycles have consequences. But he also knew that holding me back would cost something too, so instead of fear, he gave me freedom with accountability. Go, do it, own the outcome, and be someone who gets back up.
From cycling to the NCAA, from the first bicycle to motorcycle, he’s been behind every single chapter. Not always in the front row, but always in my corner. And that has made all the difference.
My Kuya: The One I Chased My Whole Life
It started with sneaking out his bicycle before he even knew I could ride one, and somehow that led to him eventually trusting me with his motorcycle. He let me use it, showed up to every cycling competition I joined, and cheered louder than anyone in the crowd. That kind of support is rare, and I did not fully appreciate it until I was older.
I watched my kuya and I saw freedom, the way he worked hard for everything he wanted without waiting for permission. That energy made standing still feel like a waste, so I chased him. Because of that competitive fire he unknowingly lit in me, I got into cycling, tried out for the national team, and eventually became an NCAA athlete.
Everything I became after that, the discipline, the drive, the hunger for the road, that was all him. He never formally taught me anything. He just lived his life so fully that watching him was enough.
Gov (Edward): The Friend Who Never Left Me Stranded
His real name is Edward, but everyone calls him Gov, and there is no one better to end this list with. He was the first person who trusted me enough to let me ride his big bike, which is not something you do for just anyone. Handing someone the keys to your bike is a statement of faith, and Gov made that statement before I had even fully earned it.
When he eventually sold the XJR, I was the one who bought it, not just because it is a great bike, but because it meant something. A 1990 Yamaha XJR 400 with that much shared history between two riders, you don’t let that go to a stranger. So it became mine, sentimental value and all.
And true to form, the XJR still throws its tantrums, old carbs, old quirks, the kind of mechanical drama that catches you off guard on the road. Every single time, Gov is the one I call. He knows where to look, what to check, how to talk me through it whether he is on the roadside beside me or on the other end of the phone.
This Father’s Day, Give Back
If you have a dad, a kuya, or a Gov in your life, someone who let you go, who you chased to become better, or who never left you stranded on the road, this is your window to do something real for them. Motoworld Philippines is running their Dad Deals Nationwide Promo, and the timing could not be better for upgrading the gear of someone who deserves it. Here is what is on:
- Up to 20% OFF on regular-priced items
- 10% OFF on regular-priced Shoei Premium Helmets
- FREE Shoei Personal Fitting System (PFS) for a proper customized helmet fitting, the most precise, comfortable, and protective fit possible
The Shoei PFS alone is worth showing up for. It is not a basic size check but a real fitting that accounts for head shape and pressure points so the helmet actually works the way it is supposed to. If the rider in your life has been making do with a lid that does not sit right, this is the upgrade they deserve. Find a store near you or shop online at www.motoworld.com.ph.
The Road Does Not Build You Alone
People talk about riding like it is a solo pursuit, and in some ways it is, just you, the bike, and the road. But the version of you that shows up on that road was built by people. The one who always said go, the one you chased your whole life trying to match, the one who never left you stranded.
To my dad, to my kuya, to Gov, every kilometer has your name on it.
Salamat.
Gear up at Motoworld Philippines. Find a store near you or shop online at www.motoworld.com.ph. Promo runs while supplies last. Valid on regular-priced items only.
