Ligiron : an extreme downhill race only in the Philippines
I've never heard of this sport before but seeing @flabbergast-art taking this 4-wooden wheel cart out from the workshop to let me ride it was sort of a novelty! But as it's a downhill sport, we needed a high point to start from. Tatay Dagsa's cafe is along a flat road but a narrow alley between the cafe and the workshop towards the bamboo classroom is slightly inclining down, producing a few seconds worth of LIGIRON ride.
Not a bad introduction to the sport.
Disclaimer: image credit to @flabbergast-art
Ligiron
Coming from the rootword LIGID, it is a Visayan word, meaning a "wheel", where it is made up of wood, bamboo and nails. That's all one need when making one. As it's used downhill, it must be sturdy enough to carry the rider and be able to withstand the impact with all the bumps and the hurdles one needed to overcome to win the race.
A bit of history
In the old times, ligirons were used by the upland tribes to bring down their produce. Such places are the uplands in Negros, and accordingly, also from Bohol, Cebu and Ifugao. Before, some were bigger in sizes to carry some produce when coming down the mountains. Nowadays, there are now some modifications and smaller in size for this extreme sport.
A Ligiron from Negros Province.
The first Ligiron Race
Originating in Valencia, Negros Oriental, two hours ride outside Dumaguete City, the first Ligiron race was organized by Nicky Dumapit in 2013. Here in Bayawan City, Nicky have joined the brotherhood of the city and have brought the sport here. Nicky as another indigenous artist in the province belongs to the same circle of creatives here in Bayawan City where @flabbergast-art is involved with.
For 2017, the race was held in Joetess organic farm, where we went yesterday.
Kuya Jotham, the farm owner showed us around and announced that a bike competition will also be held here and being arranged by one of his sons.
Let me show you guys how they do it.
One of the creatives brought this ligiron to @flabbergast-art to do some modifications. Between you and me, he haven't got any brilliant idea on what to modify as of yet.
Will you call this one EXTREME? A hand-crafted wooden scooter for a downhill race...
Dare you to try it?
All other images are mine, taken with my Samsung Galaxy S7.
References:
ligiron a philippine extreme sport
ligiron-racing-2018-in-valencia
In the video... those jumps were great ...wow :))) I hope all who did jump did not broke down herself .
One ligiron broke i think but the riders only got scratches that's what the organizers are saying. The farm owner yesterday was saying to put a little swamp after those high points😂🤣
I wouldn't call it extreme @immarojas but I wouldn't want my children doing it without helmets and elbow pads! 😁
Did you actually have a go or did you just sit on the ligiron for the photograph? 😊
You want to see my video Gillian?🤣😅😂
Helmets and pads are allowed, but they are quite pricey in this part of the world☺
Yeah. No, it's OK. I'll take your word for it @immarojas! You obviously weren't injured so that's all I need to know. 😂
Errr sorry to disappoint you Gillian!
It was scary Tita and it is really an extreme sport. They don't have breaks?? I can't imagine me trying this one. I easily got nervous and I don't think I am fit to ride on this. Maybe I can but not on the very steep road.
It's a downhill race so the thrill is great for some adventorous😁😃
I got goosebumps Tita! HAHAHA
Parang masaya ahaha🤣
Opo nga po Tita e! The video can proved it :)
Sana may break po tita. Yung sa video sila lang din nagpepreno, paa lang gamit. Nakaktuwa panoorin na nakaktakot!! HAHAHA
I wanna try if lower un jump points...but the next one they say they will put a small swamp so better sa fall.
That sounds better and fun Tita. Kesa sa may ramp tapos lupa din bagsak nila. They might get injured. When will be the next event Tita? Makaka watch ka po?
Tha landing is on soil but parang lubak na..there's no date for the next one I wish?
Hi @immarojas!
Featured!
Thank you for crafting an amazing blog that exhibit Philippines' unique Culture and Tradition.
With that, we're greatful we have chosen this blog to be featured and upvoted by @onerace to empower impactful Philippines' Culture and Tradition blogs.
Feel free to click the post :
https://steemit.com/onerace/@onerace/onerace-update-june-20-june-21-2018-empowering-filipino-culture-and-tradition
Alam mo ba yan ha? Lika sa Negros, dadami daw di lang once a year.
hinay-hinay lang po.. nka try na ako niyan dati sa isang bundok sa Don Salvador.. masakit yan sa puwet.. hehehe
Kuya..pababa lang ng papunta sa well kaya😁
hehehe.. pahatak ka kay kuya marlon habang umiikot kayo sa boulevard.
Like ko un nalipad kuya @jezmacher!
Sa yo na un nababagsak🤣😂😅
I bet this is really fun. I'm definitely going to try this soon. I was supposed to go to Dumaguete last June 6-10 to run in Puncak Tanawan in Sibulan. Unfortunately, my trip was cancelled. Kelan pa po kayo sa Negros, tita?
Wait for it. The creatives are planning to do it few times a year, di lang sa Valencia. Bayawan magkakaroon din.
That's great! I hope I could come and attend one of the events, given the chance.
Haha join ka ren sa race? Are you from Negros originally??
Naku, hindi po. Hahaha. Jo-join lang. Mukhang masaya po e.
wear ka helmet.
Lola @imma, bring one Ligiron for me when you go back to Manila. hahaha
Ahaha nainggit! It's very light you know😂🤣😅
We need this in the next Olympics!
Try it here first mate! Common down!
Sobrang saya!
Oh you've tried this kuya @pjmisa??
Am sure lalo na un lumilipad!!