IF YOU think the riders are nothing but humans wielding high-speed machines, adventurers and road dare-devils, well, you are wrong. They are more than what you often see and hear about them.
They are profoundly humanist people who express their being in their motorcycles, find unblemished fellowship with fellow riders, are resilient in exploring the remotest of nature and human societies, passionate about charity works for the bottom of our society’s pyramid.
One such group is the Eagles riders club. Despite the hectic schedules of their members for they are mostly professionals, business people, and simple family providers, they still find the precious time to do a variety of charity works.
Recently, the Eagles, led by their President, Sowena Etac, a nurse by profession, went to Victorias City to share food packs and medicines to communities affected by massive floods that hit most towns of north Negros.
“The incident in Victorias was so sudden that we had to mobilize quickly and raise support from our members and friends for our charity work and coordinate with concerned local government units. The affected families, especially the children, struck our hearts that again we felt we have to do something even in our little ways,” said Sowena.
The Eagles, one of the biggest, dynamic and long-running riders clubs in Negros and Visayas, have undertaken countless charity works in past years and even during the pandemic, including providing medical aid to children with impairments, transporting patients. “We still look forward to engaging in more developmental works like tree planting, green food production, and livelihood generation projects for distressed communities,” Sowena added.
Riders clubs are one of the most active civil society organizations (CSOs) who in recent years have taken an active role in community service.
Indeed, the Eagles, like other similar minded riders groups, are disciples of great people. Albert Einstein once said, “if you want to keep your balance, keep riding.” The riders' version of such is the famous outcry “ride to live, live to ride.”