The University of Baguio proudly held its transformative wellness and outreach event, UB BIKERS with AL.LIES, which stands for the University of Baguio Bolsters and Initiates Knowledge Economy and Resilient Society with Alumni, Leaders, IPs, Environmentalists, and Students, on April 12, 2025, reflecting its steadfast commitment to community empowerment, social responsibility, and sustainability. With the theme, “Ride for Fitness, Bond for Wellness,” the biking event served not only as a celebration of health and wellness but also as a dynamic expression of the university’s broader vision to strengthen partnerships with communities and schools towards a more resilient and self-sustaining society. The inclusion of AL.LIES, a diverse group composed of alumni, local leaders, indigenous peoples, environmental advocates, and students, underscores the collective power of collaboration across different sectors of society. Their active participation exemplifies how inclusive partnerships can drive meaningful impact, mobilize shared resources, and co-create solutions that uplift communities. These AL.LIES are more than just participants but  they are changemakers who help amplify UB’s mission of building a resilient future.

Gathering a total of 53 bikers and 135 Zumba participants, the event successfully united members of the UB community, alumni, neighboring schools, partner communities, and the general public. The bike ride symbolized the collective journey toward physical fitness and social solidarity, while the Zumba Wellness Dance offered an inclusive and lively option for non-biking participants, further broadening the community’s engagement. Special participation came from the criminology interns of UB’s School of Criminal Justice and Public Safety, who exemplified the university’s culture of volunteerism and service learning.

More importantly, the event was a fundraising effort to support UB’s partner communities and schools, namely Barangay Pinsao Proper, the Visually Impaired Positive and Productive Dreamers (VIPPD), Lindawan Elementary School, and Lindawan High School. These are strong partners of UB, with whom the university aims to build sustainable, empowered, and resilient communities. By channeling the proceeds from the event, including fundraising ticket sales, UB seeks to bolster livelihood initiatives and literacy programs that foster long-term growth, sustainability, and self-reliance among its partners, fully aligned with the mission behind UB BIKERS, to bolster and initiate a knowledge economy and a resilient society.

The UB BIKERS event was made even more meaningful through the support of generous co-sponsors: Eight Under PAR Palawan Express, Reynaldo C. Bautista and Family, the UB Alumni Foundation Inc. (UBAFI), SM Supermalls, and Towns Pizza, who contributed by sponsoring BIKERS T-shirts and providing prizes for the participants. Their participation underscores the powerful impact of public-private partnerships and the collective pursuit of community development goals.

Beyond promoting physical health, UB BIKERS with AL.LIES directly contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It promotes SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being by encouraging active lifestyles through biking and Zumba. It supports SDG 4: Quality Education through fundraising for literacy initiatives, and SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by assisting community livelihood projects. By empowering diverse groups such as indigenous peoples, differently-abled individuals, and remote schools, the initiative also promotes SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. Moreover, the event perfectly reflects SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, demonstrating how collaboration among educational institutions, alumni, businesses, and communities can drive sustainable change.

Ultimately, UB BIKERS with AL.LIES highlighted that community empowerment is not just about providing aid, but about fostering enduring partnerships, knowledge sharing, and capacity building. It emphasized that fitness, wellness, and social impact go hand-in-hand when communities and institutions come together with a shared purpose. The University of Baguio remains committed to being a proactive agent of positive change, creating resilient societies, empowering communities, and riding together towards a sustainable future. | Ms. Michelle Ann P. Chomayag | Photo: Mr. Rene Joseph P. Pascua