Last August 8, 2021, the Igorot Riders Club, Incorporated (IRC), aa association duly registered with Securities and Exchange Commission, conducted a Ride-For-A-Cause (RFAC) event with the theme: “Gawis Ay Bumadang Sin Kais-isu Ay Marigrigat” for a cancer patient in Bokod, Benguet.
The event was spearheaded by its founder as well as its resourceful officers and members which eventually was participated in by riders from different parts of the Cordillera and from the provinces of Pangasinan, La Union and Tarlac. This was supported by the local government of Bokod through the Mayor Thomas K. Wales, Jr., the Office of the Chief of Police headed by Police Lieutenant Gilbert O. Anselmo, the office of the Coordinating Principal, Emelyn Medina, and the Office of the Barangay Poblacion headed by Punong Barangay Fermo Angel Lydio, where the beneficiary is a resident.
“Service to others should be sincere and done from the heart, only then it is fruitful.”. Some, if not all of us, wants to experience happiness. Some would share that they get it from his/her partners affection, some from their parents’ love and sacrifices, some from their friends’ care and compassion and others from simple gifts and presents they receive.
Notwithstanding all these classes of experiences some would also claim that genuine happiness is felt when helping others and doing good. The idea of helping others and doing good has been for time immemorial the concept of having a meaningful life. Yet, today many of us seem to be struggling to find meaning by gathering up achievements and spending so much time working.
Indeed, helping is fun. To quote from a famous Igorot concept “Adi tako Bokodan di Gawis!”. If we can spare a hundred or even a thousand to every new part of a motorcycle we admire the most, what more can a peso or centavo contribute to an ailing person. Truly, it will save a life. The satisfaction that we get is far more appealing compared to that of a material thing.
Practically speaking, it is not the amount of money that we give that changes a person’s life but the compassionate heart a person has during the act of giving. The focus is on the effort and participation a person shared during the time of need.
A true heart will never ask anything in return. It will always find solace and accept the fact that giving is a unilateral act, a one-way gesture. But, little do they know that we are surrounded by a natural law. It is even purported in the Letter of Paul to the Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A MAN REAPS WHAT HE SOWS.”. Frankly speaking, what we intend to give or dispose will ultimately come back. If we choose to plant good deeds, surely, its fruits would be bountiful.
In the end, our choices really matter. Even if how difficult life is, even if the pandemic caused us hardships in dealing with our everyday life. Even if problems strike as from the rising of the sun to its settling down, our choices will remain significant.
With this, on behalf of the family of the beneficiary, the IRC Family would like to thank the officialdom of the municipality of Bokod for paving the way for the family to get support for an ailing brother. Further, appreciation is extended by the family to the whole community of riders who participated in the activity whose generosity and efforts will surely be remembered; blessings be upon them who helped as they continue to help others who are in one way or another in the same situation. ACTA NON VERBA.
For more information about the organization, or if you would want to be part of the said organization, feel free to visit us in our Facebook account: Igorot Riders Club or directly contact the incumbent President, Baguio Chapter: Mr. John Michael V. Ciano. 09179357377. By Mario D. Ganga, Jr.
