The province of Quirino highlighted road safety once more in the recently-concluded seventh edition of Quirino Motorismo, one of the country’s biggest and pioneer motorcycle sports and tourism.
According to Quirino Gov. Dakila Carlo Cua, the three-day festivity is aligned with the advocacy of the province and the riding community for road safety in the pursuit of sports, adventure and motor tourism.
He said that this year’s edition featured the first-ever Ecotourism Circuit ride around the province to make it an authentic motor tourism activity where the riders can appreciate its natural wonders and interact with the local population and indigenous tribes.
The event was organized by the provincial government with partner group Quirino Riders Federation, and is the second post-pandemic staging since its resumption last year.
“Thousands of riders joined us to experience this historic event as we explored thrilling waterfalls, magnificent rock formations, picturesque river gorges, adrenaline-pumping whitewater rapids, and breath-taking limestone caves of the province,” said Cua.
With a splendid network of paved and scenic roads, the province’s top tourist spots can be easily accessible onboard motorcycles, coupled with short walks, which riders can easily explore, reach and enjoy.
The province also boasts of the championship-class Quirino Watersports Complex, which is arguably the best in northern Luzon, and has a wake park, a winch lagoon, and tourist facilities for events and overnight stays.
Motorismo participants chilled out overnight on April 19 in the Rider’s Camp and Acoustic Night at Aglipay Caves and Campsite.
The event formally opened on April 20 with the traditional Unity Ride from the Pinaripad Bridge in Aglipay to the Motocross Track in the Provincial Capitol Complex in Cabarroguis for the kickoff ceremonies.
The opening program featured exhibitions from X-Team Stunt Riders and renowned Australian freestyle rider Scott Fitzgerald who wowed the crowd with his daredevil acts.
Action shifted to high gear with the highlight events—the Motocross Challenge at the Motocross Mountain Race Track and the Enduro Trail Challenge at San Pascual, Diffun where riders showed their wares in an ultimate off-road adventure spectacle.
Other competitions in the festival included ghymkana where the riders’ navigational skill will be put to the test, a drag race, and the Motoshow which showcased the crafstmanship and creativity in jazzing up the motorcycles.
The Ecotourism Circuit rolled on April 21 from the Provincial Capitol Arch, and had pit stops, photo opportunities and checkpoints in prominent tourist establishments, landmarks and attractions, such as Villarose View Point, Pinahiw View Point, Maria Angela Falls, Landingan Viewpoint, and Governor’s Rapids.
Quirino Motorismo is a recipient of the prestigious Best Tourism Sports Event of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) and the Department of Tourism (DOT).