HARLEY LOVE STORIES

In our new series, members share what H.O.G. means to them and why they love the brand. This week we meet Fred Roduta: at 18 years old, he is the youngest member of Manila Chapter, Philippines, and an aspiring commercial pilot

H.O.G. Chapter: Manila Chapter, Philippines

Harley-Davidson model: Sportster™ XL Forty-Eight™

I first discovered Harley when…
My passion for riding a Harley-Davidson® has been greatly influenced by my father who is an avid rider, just like me. I was young when I first saw my father riding his Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight; when I got my motorcycle licence, just last year, my dad and I took a ride on his Harley and that is when I realised that I wanted to own my own a Harley someday and become part of the Harley Owners Group™, just like my dad. I first got really interested when Dad and I researched buying his first bike, the Forty-Eight – we didn’t look at any other big bikes, just Harleys. After he bought it, I used to start the engine every morning for him; the neighbours would shout at me! Now my dad owns a Road King™ and I have the Forty-Eight, which became mine after I graduated senior high school. Now I am a freshman studying commercial flying.

I love my Harley because…
It is all about freedom: my Harley® gets me to see places I’ve never been before, and I get to experience the freedom of the open road. It also allows me to be a part of an incredible group like H.O.G.™ Manila Chapter where I feel like I belong, even though I am the youngest. The camaraderie and brotherhood of the group is not only evident during the good times and rides, but also in serving a purpose by helping our community through our group’s CSR (corporate social responsibility) activities, which is a big part of being in the chapter. I love riding my Forty-Eight, it is a unique and iconic bike and it has become a part of me – Fred is Forty-Eight, and Forty-Eight is Fred!

Joining H.O.G. allowed me to…
Become part of a second family. The chapter members are like my big brothers and sisters, they guide me and teach me to be a better rider. It is like a family even though I have only been in the chapter one year – I was inducted into the group during the celebration of the 10th anniversary of H-D of Manila and H.O.G. Manila Chapter in June after completing the ride, activity and meet up requirements, right after turning 18 years old.

Joining H.O.G. and Manila Chapter also allowed me to become one of the participants in the first Skilled Rider Training (SRT) in the Philippines, hosted by Harley-Davidson of Manila. The coaches of MotorClyde Training Center in Batangas, who facilitated the training, also encouraged me to participate in the 1st National Skills Riding Competition as a representative of H.O.G. Manila Chapter; I ended up winning 1st Runner Up in the Cruiser Bike Solo Category with my Forty-Eight.

I love riding in my region because…
I get to be with my H.O.G. brothers and sisters exploring different places and trying out different food. There are many awesome places in our region that I want to visit and I love the long rides, the views, the food, the fellowship after the ride, the singing and dancing, the community, the charitable causes.

My favourite ride ever was…
The first overnight ride that I got to participate in, where we went to Daang Kalikasan in Mangatarem Pangasinan to plant trees as a part of H.O.G. Manila Chapter’s CSR activities. It was a memorable experience for me because it was my first long group ride, almost 200km from the metro area and I felt accepted into the chapter.

My best H.O.G. experience was…
When I got my chapter patch as the 339th official member in June at the 10th anniversary celebration of our chapter and our sponsoring dealer. It is an exciting experience for me as a rider to be part of a group that fosters brotherhood and mutual respect, and I want to thank my brothers and sisters in the chapter for their kindness and support.

For me H.O.G. is…
It is about riding with purpose and maintaining respect and camaraderie among fellow Harley riders. H.O.G. is about brotherhood and the shared passion for experiencing freedom on the open road, it is about giving back, helping the community, helping the environment as well as about riding and having fun.

If you would like to submit your own H.O.G. Love Story or nominate a fellow H.O.G. member then click here.

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