My 2026 Mindoro Vespa Escapade!

This year’s GYEON Vespa Pilipinas Tourism Rally was truly one classic escapade!

On the day of the departure for Mindoro, I was really early because I wanted to be sure to get there on time. Waited a few hours at the launch point. This was the maiden long voyage for “Imam” my all-stock black LX-150 2v. I just restored her about a year ago. Waiting for the take off to the port, I had great time meeting Jojo, a veteran rider and drone meister. He enlightened me with his years of riding experience. His drone shots were simply amazing too.

The RORO was waiting; we loaded quickly and we casted off our lines. At that point I could feel the excitement building up. All the rally participants were raring to go. The sea was cool and calm. It was nice to have fresh sea air before the ride. After landing at Abra de Ilog, we proceeded to the first stop for lunch at the NGV Farms, a sprawling glamping resort cum quasi golf course. The place was majestic, surrounded by hills. The host, Mr. Nestor Venturina was kind enough to serve us with that refreshingly scrumptious tender beef stew lunch pack. A kind resort staff helped get access to a socket to charge my phones. Because of the relaxing vibe, I fell asleep on a lounge chair while charging my phone. I woke up and only a few Bulacan riders were left. Ended up riding with them to Mambuarao.

We got to Mamburao for registration. Far from chaotic, the Tourism staff welcomed me with their beautiful smiles and made sure I was equipped and knew how to get to my assigned hotel. Too bad I didn’t get a kit. Rested after checking in Isla Del Oro hotel, a rustic establishment with wide widows in the rooms, capturing the cool island breeze. A welcome merienda pancit pack was served upon arrival. After a few hours, I headed to the dinner the atmosphere was festive at the Capitol. The sponsors already had their merchandise on display. The food was overflowing and filling too. Took another rest at the hotel and after topping up on my gas, just as scheduled, the ride was on. After last minute reminders, the Vespistis, almost 300 strong took off around midnight, Feb. 7, 2026.

Imam was all good to go. Into 80 kilometers I noticed all the emergency and police personnel strategically positioned on the route to San Jose. In the whole route I took the roads were free, wide and bright and most of all clear. There were hardly any potholes road obstructions and hazards like stray animals. Those solar posts illuminated most of the way. I heard it costs about PhP 28,000 each. Truly, a good safety investment if you ask me. To say Mindoro was a safe place to ride in would be an understatement. Totally safe. After fueling up a second time en route to the San Jose, we had about 80km to go to the checkpoint. At a stop, I noticed the smell of gas and saw my scoot Imam was leaking. I thought it was just over flow. My fuel then drained quick. I chanced upon a rider to ask directions. He stopped ad pointed to a strong gas leak. I noticed I was almost running on empty barely an hour after refueling.

Turns out, these guys from Binondo Wasps turned out to be my saviors. Armed to the teeth with tools and know how. Dan (GTV300) & Mike (PX 150) helped patch me up and we went together from there. We stopped at a 7-11 to grab a snack as riders passed us. Little did we know that wee missed the first checkpoint after an hour en route to Roxas. We turned back. Mike was looking or a pair of glasses. We learned that the San Jose checkpoint was already closed by that time and despite all efforts scanning the area we passed Mike’s glasses we gone as well.

Going to Roxas, Mike went ahead. Dan took point. About an hour before Roxas I was giving in. The body of half a century plus change was not what it used to be. It reminded me of how it was at the tail end of the last rally, somewhere by Subic where I almost overshot to a cliff edge. Dan was feeling tired as well. We stopped at a road side house where a Manang not only let us rest at her porch but also offered some coffee and let me use her phone charger complete strangers welcomed by a very cheerful and accommodating old lady. As a seasoned and experienced rider (with PNP-TMG rider training and certification), Dan suggested to take a break, rest up in a hotel nearby. I totally agreed. It would be not only be the most logical but also the safest option. We inquired for hotels at the nearest PNP station, a rider cop even escorted us to a nearby hotel but was closed due to power failure. I mean these locals have initiative in serving tourist in their area. We ended up in Ace hotel in Roxas. the owner was a kind Mason that gave us a great rate and entertained us. He says he met many of our kind of riders in the past. He even mentioned that I looked very much like a BOSS rider he knew. We slept a few hours. That was the deepest sleep I had in a while. By 5pm, we checked out, a quick coffee and got our motors running back to Mamburao. We stopped at that same 7-11 going to Roxas chatted up some locals about the ride and then rain started. This is where it gets hairy. We suited up after a drink. My rain gear tore up after a few minutes on the road because it was that old and already decomposing. I was getting sleepy again but this time due to the cold. the slight drizzle never became a total downpour but it was cold, the wind chill made my hand freeze even with gloves on like a frost bite sensation. Imam was holding her own. No mechanical issues the whole time. We loaded up on fuel somewhere by the time we were in Bulalacao, after the BUCOR bypass that we did not pass going to Roxas, my fuel was getting danger close. About an hour to go to hit Mamburao there was no open fuel station in sight. My warning lights were blinking brighter and brighter. We chanced in a roadside store that was like a 7-11 sar-sari store. The owner offered a liter of gas that he siphoned from his bike himself and refused payment. I insisted and he bid us a safe journey.

After eight hours we landed at midnight back in Mamburao. said goodbye to Dan and thanked him for being a great, generous and kind tandem. Crashed on my bed. Still freezing, I just opened the room windows and let the fresh cool air in again. No dinner. Woke up to a ghost town. Only a pair of riders from Taytay remained at the hotel. Chatted with the Taytay couple over breakfast and found out more of what happened on rally day. Though it was unfortunate that I did not finish the rally. Then again, we found that the tour was cancelled due to inclement weather. The next day I saw on the news that the shearline caused massive flooding in Puerto Galera and Abra de Ilog. That was a good call by the organizers. Safety is paramount. It was also a good call for Dan and I not to push it. That would have been catastrophic. This event is memorable because it showed a true community. From the locals that infected us with their welcoming smile at the capitol, the hotel and on the road, the Vespa Pilipinas organizers that were effective in managing the event to the generous sponsors, Mr. Venturina, our gracious lunch host to the provincial government and all the rally participants.

Yes, I did not finish. but man, this rally was surely “one for the books”. One hell of a of a 600 km ride! As I sailed back, I look behind the port where we landed. It was a bit sad for this adventure to end. As I turn to the fore, I smile. Going home is not so bad because it means another escapade is waiting. I will definitely come back to Mindoro and soon. Again, on my Vespa. Much thanks to the organizers-Vespa Pilipinas, our sponsors, the Provincial Government together the wonderful people of Mindoro, Dan & Mike of Binondo Wasps and the entire Vespa community! Looking forward to the next high-octane, action-packed Vespa Days in Baguio come May with my Italian babe -“Sophia”, my PX! Ride strong, proud and SAFE! Martin