History of the First Motorcycle Club in the Philippines

History of the First Motorcycle Club in the Philippines

(By DinggolAranetaDivinagracia - IlonggoNationMovement)

Prologue: In sincere appreciation to my good buddy of the yesteryear's who has inspired and greatly influenced many of the young and adventurous to be active members in the motorcycle world.

Francis Daban, Jr. the one and only surviving member of the Panay Motorcycle Club (PMC) and the Ilonggo living legend of Motor Biking in the Philippines." --dinggol.d~~~

Sometime in February 1948, a few years after the end of world war II and almost everything had become relatively normal, a group of affluent Ilonggos who owned a burly American made Harley Davidson Motorcycle popularly known as "Harley" got together and organized the "exclusive" Panay Motorcycle Club (PMC) in Iloilo City. They rode brand new HD 61 c.i. (1,000 cc), HD 74 c.i. (1,200 cc), but mostly the HD 45 c.i. (750cc) WWII vintage model, hand shift with a foot-operated pedal. Some with HD Sidecars.

Their main objective is socializing and just camaraderie; out-of-town joy rides while marshaling parades and processions all over the Panay island. Likewise, provide with whatever financial aid and physical assistance to the poor victims during times of great disasters and natural calamities.

Headed by Benjamin "Nonoy" Javellana of Jaro, Iloilo City they maintained a Club House called "CALI" at the ground floor of Javellana Building along Ledesma Street near the Plazoleta Gay. The initial officers and members of PMC included; Ramonit Lopez, Francisco Daban, Sr., Agapito Lavado, Angel Magahum, Ramon Garcia, Hector Ledesma, Budol Layson, David Doronila, Arturo "Turingoy" Araneta, Rene Solinap, Leon Nava, Manuel “Noli” Yngson, Jose ”Joe” Quidato, Jesus “Jess” Clemente, Beltran "Binggot" Zulueta, Rudy Gorres, Mamert Sobrepeña, Benjamin "Ben"Macairan, Osias “Osing” Jereza, Joaquin Quimsing, Angel Blanco, and Aurelio Ramos, Fred Molino among others from Capiz with a few from Antique including Roman Pastrana of Sibalom.

Later on, 4 of the 9 sons of Benjamin and Conchita Lacson-Javellana; Ben “Jr.”, Jose ”Oye”, Julio "Litoy" and Teddy, together with Francis Lopez, Ben Pineda, Peps Oro, Yoyong Acdol, Don Ramon Locsin, and Francis Daban, Jr. (the famed Ilonggo motorbike stuntman) and other younger Harley bikers joined them. (my apologies to those not mentioned due to senior intellectual interlude.)

In the summer of 1950, the first-ever National Motorcycle Convention was held in Sta. Ana, Manila. Only three and the only acknowledged Motorcycle Clubs in the whole country participated in the event, viz: The Motorcycle Association of the Philippines (MAP) of Pasay City, Lucky 13 Motorcycle Club of Malate, and the Panay Motorcycle Club (PMC) of Iloilo City, the very first organized motorcycle club in the Philippines.

Spectators enjoyed watching the motor bikers who joined the exciting drag races, such as: Slow Poke Race --were the last to reach the finish line without any ground contact wins; also the Running the Plank Pull-on Race; Roll-on the Barrel and the Shoe Race, etc. The crowd was thrilled with the daredevil stunts of daring bikers during the exhibition part.

Thereafter, the PMC Ilonggo team went home bringing along the “Bacon”; since they won almost all of the coveted prizes.

During the decade of the 1950s, motorcycles were mostly US made. They were heavily built with rigid steel frames, no rear suspension support and start with a foot kick to activate. It was also during this time when most roadways were still at its worst condition and many wooden bridges were not at all totally safe to cross. It takes strength and guts to ride a big bike and travel around the rough countryside in Panay Island.

In the 1960s, a much lighter Japanese brand motorbike had begun to flood the market. While European made, especially the Italian “Lambretta” Scooter was the favorite choice for the beginners.

Under the leadership of old-timer and founding member of Panay Motorcycle Club (PMC) President Agapito “Morning Whistle” Lavado, in 1955 the members decided to change the name into ILOILO MOTORCYCLE CLUB (IMC) with their corresponding new logo. And considering further, that the general membership were all residents of the City and or the Province of Iloilo.

When the old guards later, became inactive to concentrate more on their respective fields of endeavor; but other say due to "Mahina na ang tuhod"; a new breed of motorbike enthusiasts came along sporting different new motorcycle brands.

In 1957, IMC got a shot in the arm, when Ilonggo Sportsmen - Businessmen Tirso “Tirsing” Jamandre and Agustin “Gus” Asencio together with their groups joined the club. Namely: Joe Delegencia, Freddie Portillo, Arthur Somo, Banggil Deloviar, Oscar “Oca” Nava, Jr., Tony Lim, Joe Uy, Mon Desillo, Paking Te, Ben Sihiyon, Taden Caperonce, Vero Paloma, Candido Golez, Edwin Daban, Nelson Barredo, Jun Alvarez, Tony Tinsay, Felipe Dolar, Teddy Yngson, Fermin Rodriguez, Nards Gumayan, Mening Brillantes, Ponso Tan, Melchor Nava, Victor “Studio” Robinson, Joe Gumapas, Dick Apil, Eddie Ong, Powel Ngo, Tony Roco, Victor Ferraris, Joe Pineda, Lemneo Peria, Kid Salazar, Banggol Acdol, Francis Portillo, Oscar Acdol, Bobby Co, Viltor Villarina, Doring Zaldarriaga, Tony Bilbao, Rudy Abada, Rizal Quimpo, Eking Parreñas, Tony Chiongson, Basil Pulmones, Campos (Lapaz) and others.

Many IMC members met almost every afternoon at Fort San Pedro in Iloilo City to get-together for camaraderie until in 1965, when their application was approved to construct IMC Clubhouse along Gen. Luna Street by the Iloilo River near the University of San Agustin. Construction of the Clubhouse was finished in due time.

In the year 1967 when the President of IMC was Ramonit Lopez -- the group participated in the Kalibo, Aklan “Ati-atihan” Festival in honor of the Santo Niño. Thereat, they interacted with other Motorcycle Clubs to merge as one. After a lengthy serious civil discussions and thorough deliberation, the new Visayas Motorcyclist Association (VMA) was born with Engr. Roland Ledesma of the ThunderBugs (Bacolod City) as the very first President. The Negros ThunderBugs Motorcycle Club was founded by Sonny L. Cooper in 1964.

The ThunderBugs on parade in downtown Bacolod City, Negros Occ. (circa 1960s).

VMA celebrated their anniversaries with field games, rallies and competitions among the members.

It was also in 1967 when U.S. Servicemen at Clark Field Air Force Base in Pampanga introduced the “Off-Road” Racing in the Philippines. IMC and the ThunderBugs formed the VMC Racing Team that eagerly participated in these races.

The story told, the VMA “Ilonggo” Racing Team became the National “over-all” Champion for two consecutive years in 1968 and 1969. The team once again became the Champion in the national races at San Pablo City in Laguna organized by the National Motorcycle Association of the Philippines under Jose “Joe” Rosario.

Sometime in 1969, the Iloilo City Police Dept. deputized qualified IMC members after undergoing a rigid police training course, also with Philippine National Red Cross in competence for “First Aid” emergency cases.

Just like any groupings, when VMA later became inactive for whatever reason; in 1976 IMC organized its very own Panay group. The Panay Federation of Motorcycle Clubs (PFMC) -- that held annual Jamborees until 1987 when it gradually and totally passed out.

It should be noted, that the Iloilo Motorcycle Club (IMC) still remained active through the years under the able leadership and guidance of Francis Daban, Jr.; notwithstanding, sad to say, the early demise of the last two original members, Ben Pineda and Peps Oro.

Yes! it is providential, indeed, that later --the group headed by Dr. Ruben B. Ramirez and Victor Facultad joined the IMC group. They included (in photo): Danny de Leon, Cesar Mercado, Jr. & Schunt Sotero, among others. (with Francis Daban, Jr. , Dinggol, and Lilia)

(Coffee Break with Native Coffee - LtoR: Florence Colorado, Schunt Sotero, Ondoy Ondoy Zaldarriaga, Danny de Leon, Akoh, and Francis Daban, Jr. at Lapaz Public Market. Photo credit: Edgar Hubero Siscar)

Presently, Iloilo Motorcycle Club (IMC) is an active member of the National Federation of Motorcycle Clubs -Philippines, The Visayas Confederation of Big Bikers Club and the Panay Alliance of Riding Enthusiasts (PARE).

Some memorable events during IMC heydays, was when it acted as escort for security of high profile dignitaries such as; the 1956 sentimental journey in Iloilo City of 5-Star USA General of the Army retired General Douglas MacArthur, and the rare papal visit of His Holiness Pope John Paul II in February of 1981 when he proclaimed “Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria” as Patroness for Western Visayas Region 6 in the Philippines.

Today, the “Flaming Torch” of the famed Iloilo Motorcycle Club (IMC) that evolved from the original Panay Motorcycle Club (PMC) and once-upon-a-time headed by Benjamin “Nonoy” Javellana is under the leadership of Doctor Ruben B. Ramirez as President and Victor Facultad as Vice-President and with the guidance of the lone survivor of the first motorcycle club in the Philippines, Francis Daban, Jr. --the only living Ilonggo Motorcyclist legend since the yesteryear's.

Yes! it is very much alive and still vrooming with the support of the loyal IMC members, who are actively zooming around the nation as a group of Ilonggo motorbike riders --proudly displaying the Iloilo Motorcycle Club distinctive emblem and banner.

 

(With Edgar H. Siscar - IMC Official amateur photographer)

List of active IMC Members today: Dr. Ruben B. Ramirez, Victor Facultad, Ms. Arlene Castor, JayR Casiano, Danny de Leon, Jeffrey de la Cruz, Anthony Amante, Bing de Leon, Arthur Dy Buco, Tim Intrepido, Eugene Eusorio, Leroy Fernandez, Jude Sillo, Arnold Paguntalan, Victor Juridico, John Lizada, Barrend Luger, Florence Colorado, Joselito Macabante, Schunt Sotero, Jun Malones, Macky Marcos, Victor Macabante, Cesar Mercado, Jr., Joe Padrones, Manas Palada, Ensot Santizo, Arnie Sentina, Eddie Simoy, Ondoy Zaldarriaga, etc.

(Dinggol flanked by Francis Daban, Jr., and Bing de Leon. Salamuch! to Edgar Siscar for the photo shot.)

Incidentally, last April 5 and 6, 2019 the Iloilo Motorcycle Club (IMC) hosted the 25th Annual National Convention of National Federation of Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines (NFMCP) in the City of Iloilo. And the Special Guest of Honor and Speaker was no other than the “Numero Uno” avid motorcycle enthusiast in the country, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte himself.

Padayon! Go! Go! Vroooooommmm!!!

Epilogue: “The main source of this article was the 3 pages duly signed handwritten manuscript entrusted by Francis Daban, Jr. to this writer for his appropriate editing and modification and for subsequent publication in the ASIAN JOURNAL.” --DinggolSDname~~~