Alden Richards partners with DOT for tourism cycling event FunRide PH

Alden Richards’ company, Myriad, has partnered with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to launch FunRide PH, a cycling event and tourism campaign.

According to Vonne Aquino’s report on “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday, biking is more than just a hobby for Alden, but a lifestyle and form of healing.

“Cycling has been very pivotal in my lifetime right now. It had healed my rather, in so many levels,” he said.

One of Alden’s advocacies is to make roads safe for bikers and cyclists. This is the reason behind the DOT partnership for FunRide PH.

“As of now, my voice is still small regarding for the safety of the roads for cyclists,” Alden said in a mix of Filipino and English. “But with the partnership of, of course DOT, they are there to help. Consistency and the right intentions—I think one way or another, we’re gonna be able to better the situation and the condition of the roads for the cyclists."

FunRide PH starts in Manila on December 19, with the theme “Moving People, Inspiring Change.” It is a cycling event that will take participants through Manila’s heritage and scenic attractions.

Per Alden, the roads from Quirino Grandstand, Luneta, and Intramuros will be closed. More proposed sites include Roxas Boulevard, Manila Bay, and the National Museum Complex. The three categories are beginner (5 km), intermediate (10 km), and advanced (21 km).

“It’s not a competition, it’s a community event,” Alden said.

DOT Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said the partnership strengthens their commitment to strengthen domestic tourism.

“Every corner in Manila has a story—in Intramuros, in Rizal Park, by the side of Manila Bay, our National Museums. Through Fun Ride Philippines, we rediscover these stories one pedal at a time,” she said in Filipino and English.

Angara-Mathay also expressed admiration for Alden’s sincerity for the project.

“This celebrity not only speaks his truth, he lives his truth. You would feel his sincerity right away. And not to mention that his idea is fantastic,” she said.

According to DOT on Facebook, the agency and DOTalso plans to expand FunRide PH to other domestic destinations to showcase the Philippines’ diverse attractions while encouraging environmentally responsible travel and a safer setting for cyclists.

Meanwhile, Alden hopes to do more corporate social responsibility (CSR) work.

“There are lots of CSR work that do not need acknowledgement nor recognition. That’s what keeps my sanity as well,” Alden said.

“Helping the community, it’s not measured by the amount, by the massiveness, or like the volume of help you’ve given."

—Nika Roque/CDC, GMA News