"I got interested in cycling advocacy in May 2003, while my fellow ATENEANS and i were organizing a collage-level convention on air pollution. At the time, I met many representatives from organizations working for clean air, including Dinna Dayao of the firefly brigade

She told me all about the organization and its main message--- that more bikes and fewer cars would not only make our air cleaner,but also lessen traffic and encourage more people-friendly. This idea instatly appealed to me, for several reasons . Most people have difficulty relating to enviromental issues because they cannot see how their personal actions can have a global effect. However, cycling advocacy meets this challenge by offering a simple and concrete solution and inspiring people to envision of how things could be better.

During the convention, A delegate from La Salle who wasn't used to having a spacious campus like Ateneo, remarked 'instead of walking on campus, why don't Ateneans bike?' This idea has made so much sense that my fellow Ateneans and I wondered why no one had taught of it before.

Inspired by the Fireflies and by our La Sellite friend's insight, we decided that we would make it happen: We would bring bicycles to Ateneo

I figured that if i was going to help bring bocycles to my school, I should at least become a cyclist myself and learn as much about cycling as i possibly could. So i joined the Firefly Brigade e-group, where everyone helpfully answeres all my questions. I also joined the Firefly Flight Training workshop in September 2003, Where i learned bicycle maintinance, first aid ,cycling efficiancy, and urban biking

In January 2004, I bought my very first bicycle, a blue and yellow basic mountain bike wich i lovingly named (not without a sense of irony) 'Scooter.' Since then, Scooter has taken me wherever I need to go in the Katipunan area---from my dormitory in Loyola Heights, to school, the bookstore, and the restaurants. I've been taking it slowly---biking to farther destinations as i gain more skill and confidence on the road. I've already tackled the commutes to Eastwood Center in Libis, Valle Verde 5, and Megamall

One thing that i have especially enjoyed about biking is infecting the people around me with the biking bug! Within a week affter i Bought my bicycle, two of my friends also bought their own bikes and adventurously biked to Ortigas from Katipunan one day, to avoid the rush-hour traffic. I have also taken to leaving my bicycle at my tambayan between classes, where my enthusiastic friends take turns borrowing it!

I am glad to have set an example, however small, to the people around me. I will definately keep on biking to make my community a healthier and safer place for everyone. Here's to cycling for clean cities!"