It was during the fad of phony Facebook events such as “Suntukan sa Ace Hardware” and “Bardagulan sa National Bookstore” when I received an invitation to cover a cycling competition called “Padyakan sa Bataan”. I thought it was too good to be true, but it turned out to be completely legit. Bataan has been holding this cycling event annually for the past few years as an activity to accompany the Araw ng Kagitingan celebration every month of April.
Padyakan sa Bataan: Pedaling Enthusiasts in the Killer Loop
As a biking enthusiast but far short of being a competitive cyclist, I would have wished to participate just for fun. However, the logistics of bringing my decade-old mountain bike presented a problem, as we could barely fit inside our media service van.
So, instead of being a part of it, I welcomed the idea of witnessing this year’s Padyakan sa Bataan as a spectator. I figured I’d have more opportunities to experience the so-called “Killer Loop” biking route snaking around the mountains of Mariveles through my lens.
11th Pedaling to the Metal in Bataan
More than 300 participants, ranging from a 4-year-old kid to a 70-year-old grandfather, signed up for the 11th Padyakan Sa Bataan. There were three major categories: Men, Women, and Kids. While those joining the kids' category would only bike through a short, controlled route, the organizers designed a tough but picturesque course for the adult participants.
The Killer Loop Trail
The race kicked off at a hilltop with a clear view of the Mountains of Mariveles, circling into Mt. Samat before passing through Bagac and Orion. Aptly described as “the Killer Loop” because of its uneven terrain with sharp ravines on the side, it sounded to me like an intense challenge every serious biker would want to try.
Our host from Bataan Tourism explained to us that they made sure the route was safe by putting warning signs along the dangerous parts of the trail. Knowing how this kind of competition is staged, I was confident that the bikers would have a far safer cycling experience—even on the difficult dirt trails of Mariveles—than pedaling on the chaotic streets of Metro Manila.
Reaching the Finish Line
The race lasted several hours, from 9:00 AM until early in the afternoon when we finally started witnessing the arrival of the first wave of finishers. It was incredibly inspiring seeing them cross the finish line after bagging what must have been an exhausting but deeply memorable experience.
Trophies, medals, and cash prizes were proudly handed out to the top finishers—courtesy of Bataan Tourism and the event's sponsors like Shimano, FOX, Maxxis, TOTAL, and other outdoor brands.
Side Trip to Sisiman’s San Miguel Rock
As Padyakan sa Bataan wrapped up an hour and a half before darkness fell, we found time to go on a quick side trip to nearby San Miguel Rock in Brgy. Sisiman in Mariveles, Bataan. It is a scenic coastal town famous for its rock formations, quaint seaside setting, and magnificent sunset views.
Although sadly, the site is now being besieged by quarrying activities, a towering rock formation—which I deeply hope will be spared from excavation—stands attractively, living up to the locals’ description of it as “susong dalaga” (breast of a lady). Well, that is one pointed breast if you ask me. Let’s just chalk it up to the rich imagination of the residents.
As we headed back to our hotel and the sky turned a fiery red color, I pictured myself actually cycling through the rough terrain of the Killer Loop—regaling at the charming countryside views of Mariveles while huffing and puffing in pure exhaustion. What a wonderful experience that would have been.
And yes, we capped the day with an ice-cold San Miguel Beer.
