Island Hopping on Two Wheels: This Biker Explored the Philippines in 12 Days

(SPOT.ph) The Philippine Loop is every motorcycle enthusiast's dream. It’s a long journey through the Asian Highway 26—a network of roads, expressways, bridges, and ferry services that connect the islands of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao—where the biker will “loop” back to his point of origin. For 26-year-old Jerry “Boy” Cawa Jr., it was more than a route, it was a personal challenge.

From bustling cities to serene coastal towns, from majestic mountains to verdant valleys, Cawa has seen it. He’s solo travelled around 5,000 kilometers with his motorcycle in 12 days, rain or shine, in his yearning to "become one with the road."

"Doing the Philippine Loop made me love our country more and made me realize the real meaning of 'It's more fun in the Philippines'," Cawa told SPOT.ph. The diverse landscapes, the interactions with locals, and the sheer beauty of the route has left a lasting impression on him. It was a sentiment echoed by many others who have traveled the Philippine Loop. 

@boycawa Sharing to you my Solo Philippine Loop Ride last July 2023 #phloop #phlooper #makelifearide #sololooper #fyp ♬ Good Time - Platinum Party

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Embarking on the Philippine Loop

Cawa’s story is as winding as the roads he’s traveled. He was the former Vice Mayor of Sarangani, Davao Occidental, but losing the last election put his political ambition in the backseat. As one chapter closed, another began.

"My term as a public servant ended last June 2022 and that's when my focus, interest, and passion for big bike motorcycles started," Cawa said. He has actually been riding motorcycles since 2019, initially to reach remote communities within his tenure. Eventually, his passion for motorcycles grew, evolving from a mode of transport to a way of life.  

Realizing he had all the time in the world now, he was keen explore his home country. It helped that the Philippine Loop had always intrigued Cawa: “Every since 2023 started, it has always been my goal to do the Philippine Loop. Watching other people do it made me want to try it, too.” 

With a big bike in tow, he embarked on his 12-day journey for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Cawa left his home in General Santos City on July. He was methodical about the whole thing: He knew he wanted to cover at least 400 kilometers every day. This often led him to ride until late, with nights spent in various locales.

“There were times that I exceeded my goal because I wanted to make the most out of my day,” Cawa said. This limited his sleep to six to seven hours per night, but his excitement to continue was enough to keep his fatigue at bay. Since the Philippines is archipelagic, he also had to hop on a roll-on, roll-off ships to transport his motorcycle with him. “I was always excited to start and end the day going to different places.”

In less than two weeks, he managed to visit the Mayon Volcano, the McArthur Landing Memorial Park, San Juanico Bridge, Calle Crisologo, Bangui Windmills, Picong Tunnel, and Pink Mosque.

But for Cawa, there was no place like home with his family in General Santos City.

How doable is the Philippine Loop?

Cawa isn’t the first to embark on the Philippine Loop. Many bikers had already come before him, but it just so happened that he took a vlog of his experience, inspiring many more to follow. Within a month of uploading, his TikTok video has racked up over three million views.

However, it’s worth nothing that this trip isn’t for everyone. No journey is without hurdles. For Cawa, a flat tire on the second day was as a major setback because of how important staying on schedule was to him.

“Every second of my time is precious,” Cawa said. The roads in Sagada posed another challenge: “The road there was very steep and dangerous. One wrong move and you might fall off the cliff.”

Prior to embarking on the Philippine Loop, Cawa was also already participating in local endurance challenges that had trained his body to travel thousands of kilometers in less than a day. It’s what pushed him to take on this journey: “I realized that if my body can finish something as hard as those long rides then I’m sure my body is capable of doing such a hard and tiring journey like the Philippine Loop ride.”

Beyond matters of endurance, the cost wasn't cheap. Motorcycle fuel alone was already a P20,000 expense. Add in riding kits, food and accommodation, boat fares, pocket money, and emergency money—Cawa spent around P130,000 in total.

“I stayed in hotels during my journey, that's why my expenses reached that amount. If you're planning to do the Philippine loop [on] a budget, you can most likely sleep anywhere."

Cawa's advice for aspiring bikers? 

"Nothing is impossible until you get up and start moving. Money will come back but this exact moment won't so if you're doubting to do the Philippine loop [but] you have a budget for it, this is your sign to go and do it," Cawa said.

"When you start your journey, keep in mind that this is not a race. No need to rush, just enjoy every moment. Safety should always come first so be mindful and focus on the road. If the weather is not good then take a rest. Don't put yourself in a risky situation. Always remember there are people waiting for you to go back home. Lastly, pray and ask for guidance every day."

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