Two weeks ago, President Rodrigo Duterte suffered minor injuries after he fell from his motorcycle after a short ride inside the Malacanang Palace grounds. Those minor injuries were said to have “awakened” the President's hip injury that he suffered during his younger riding days in Mindanao. The President even reportedly cut his Japan trip short because of the injury.
Last night, during an interview by veteran news anchor, Ted Failon, for his program Failon Ngayon, the President talked about what really transpired during that night, and probably gave the best advice for all newbie and experienced motorcycle riders alike: ride more after a crash.
“Yung motorcycle, mataas. Dapat yung motorcycle mo, yung dalawang paa mo nakadikit [lapat sa kalsada]. (The motorcycle was tall. When riding motorcycles, both of your feet should firmly contact the ground)”
From the video posted on social media by his former Special Assistant, now Senator, Bong Go, the President was seen riding what seems to be a cruiser motorcycle – something of a preference the President is known for.
“Ito kasi mataas, ang umaabot lang sa akin is the tip of my toes. Ngayon, nung pag-parking ko, medyo malakas siguro ang takbo, 'pag ganun ko [gestures sudden braking], I was trying to maintain the balance, bumigay yung sapatos ko. Nung natanggal yung sapatos ko, diretso na [tumba]. So, bagsak. (That motorcycle was tall. I was only able to reach the ground with the tip of my toes. Now, when I parked, I approached with a little speed. I was trying to maintain my balance, until my shoe slipped. And when my shoe sipped off my foot, I fell down.)"
Failon then went on to ask what part of his body hit the ground first, the President responded by pointing to his left elbow and then to his left knee, which he says took most of the fall.
When asked by Failon what treatment or therapy he sought after the fall, the President answered, "May motor ako na bago na ibaba ko. Alam mo naman, you also ride a motor [motorcycle]. Alam mo, the rules sa motor is 'pag sumemplang ka, kailangan sumakay ka ulit. Kasi 'pag hindi, abutin ka ng kaba [fear] then you are done. Takot ka na. (I have a new motorcycle. As you know, and since you also ride a motorcycle. You know the rules of motorcycle riding is that if you crash, you need to ride again. Because if you don't ride again, fear will get to you, then you are done for.)"
The President is, in short, not letting an accident put him off riding.
The President futher added that, while he is already in his 70s and is very busy with his job as the leader of our beloved country, his passion for riding motorcycles still burns inside of him.
“Ngayon, ako matanda na. Sabi nila, hindi na masyado maganda yung reaction time ko, then that's one danger there. Wala naman kuwenta itong buhay na ito, Ted. I'm old and I want to just [enjoy riding motorcycles]. Andyan, kung gusto mo tignan, magmomotor talaga ako. (Now that I'm old. They said that my reaction time is slow and that's one danger there. This life has no meaning, Ted. I'm old and I want to just enjoy riding motorcycles.)"
