The UP Padyak Project Timeline

Just in case you were wondering how all of this started, here's a timeline of events:

28 December 2007. Christmas Party at the Gutierrez Residence. Louie Cruz and Jojo Gutierrez discuss what will be a good UPM 1988 activity on their 20th anniversary. Louie Cruz: "Legacy, pare, legacy..."

2 January 2008. First meeting of UPM 88: Ian Ampongan, Louie Cruz, Jojo Gutierrez and Ging Candaliza-Gutierrez; Bike Rental Project was decided. Ging opens an egroup called 100bikesUP inspired by the UP centennial celebration. Could we put up 100 bikes for UP? Ian Ampongan (on the wine toast): "History ito, nakakaiyak ito."

6 January 2008. UPM 88 seeks permission from the UP Mountaineers membership to engage in the bike project. Tentatively the bike project was called "We-Cycle". First ever donation pledge came from TOYM, IMM (International Man of Mystery) Illac Diaz, UPM88 (woohooo!). Illac Diaz: "This is a kickass project, pare."

24 January 2008. We-Cycle Project buys its first two bikes from the Sta Mesa Bike Bodega with Boy Siojo, UPM 84. First wwo bikes were donated by Jojo Gutierrez and Jenny Pacheco-Ante of Batch 88.
3 February 2008. Two prototype bikes presented to the UPM Genmeet. Ging Gutierrez (on the impromptu volleyball match pre-meeting of young UPM batches: "Ang saya lang ng mga bata ano? Nagba-volleyball sila..."

22 February 2008. Prototype bikes 3 and 4 purchased from Sta. Mesa Bodega donated by Ninoy Leyran and Bunny Soriano. Discussions followed renames the project UP Padyak Project (as per suggestion of Ging Gutierrez).

28 February 2008. Padyak Project with Boy Siojo, Jojo and Ging Gutierrez, Bunny Soriano and Bernz Varona. Presented to the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Dr. Grace Gregorio. UPM seeks approval for Summer Test Phase and 1st semester implementation. Boy Siojo (to VC Gregorio): "Magka-batch tayo ah!"

5 March 2008. Prototype deployed to Peter Sy (UPM95). Padyak officially runs in the UP Diliman Campus. Peter Sy: "Pinanghaharabas ko, para ma-test ang tibay." Prototype disk features a photo detail of the ricefields in Panay, Capiz (Ging's roots).

11 March 2008. Stephanie Tan, then CSSP Student Council Chancellor becomes the first non-UPM, undergrad student to ride the Padyak bike. Stephanie Tan (on her first few pedals on bike): "Wheeee!"

30 March 2008. Significant donations from UPM 87 allows the Padyak Project to purchase additional bikes. Project planners search for new source. John Cimaco becomes key person for US based donations. Get-together at Eng and Russ Chan Residence in Cubao, QC. Eng Chan presents his sketches for sculptural bike racks. Peter Rivera (UPM 87): "Guys, I really believe in this project" (sabay bunot ng checkbook).

2 April 2008. UP OVCCA invites the UP Mountaineers to lead the caravan for the launching of the One Way Academic Oval scheme. UP Padyak's soft launch. ... editing to follow...

4/8/2008. Imelda Avenue Bike bodega is discovered. Bike donated by Norman De Villa was purchased.

4/12/2008. 10 bikes purchased from the Imelda Avenue Bike Bodega.

4/14/2008. Additional bikes are released to summer volunteers. 12 out of 16 bikers are female.

5/9/2008. Group meeting among the summer volunteers at Cordillera Cafe at the Vargas Museum. Project gets positive response from all volunteers.

5/17/2008. Probe TV interviews the Padyak Project.

5/21/2008. Padyak Project comes out on Probe TV on ABS CBN.

5/23/2008. Padyak Project comes out on TV Patrol on ABS CBN.

5/24/2008. Padyak Project comes out on ANC.

5/28/2008. Padyak Project is featured on the Business Mirror.

5/29/2008. Interview on Global News Network on Destiny TV.

6/2/2008. Release of bikes to old riders for first semester official run.

6/7/2008. Bicycle Clinic and release of bikes to new riders for first semester.

6/8/2008. Padyak Bike Clinic becomes cover image of Philippine Star and Balita!