Rider Duterte says he saw Philippine beauty through bike

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — The past weekend was different for President Duterte, who usually goes back to Davao City to be with family, as he spared time to grace a gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts here.

“You are lucky because for the first time in the history of the Federation of Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines, the President of the Republic of the Philippines came,” Duterte told about 2,300 fellow bike riders who went to Peñaranda Park Saturday evening. 

The President then recalled his younger days when he used to bike from province to province as a member of Davao City’s On Any Sunday Rider Club and when his tummy was still not that noticeable.

“And it was only after I travelled the entire length and breadth of the country that I fell in love with the Philippines. Our country is very beautiful,” he said.

“My most memorable photo of that event when I was mayor—I was standing on a piece of rock, I still had flat stomach that time, and the background was Mayon,” he said, referring to the famous volcano.

A post from the website of On Any Sunday Rider Club reads: “President Duterte was a true blooded rider having ridden from Davao City to Aparri.”

Albay Gov. Al Francis Bichara said they were surprised that the President graced the 24th National Convention of the National Federation of Motorcycle Clubs of the Philippines (NFMCP), which was attended by about 2,300 members.

“I was informed by Mr. Mata that you were one of the founders of this federation and you were attending some of the conventions when you were mayor of Davao City,” Bichara said, adding that the President’s attendance shows how deep Duterte’s affection is for the bikers’ association.

“The big difference is now that you are the President of the Philippines you are still part of this special occasion,” Bichara noted. – With Edith Regalado