Cruising Through History on the Sweet Honda Giorno+

Hopia Ride – Lifestyle On Wheels Presents its 3rd #SafeRideJourney, a Moto-Powered Mobile History Lesson Aboard the Honda Giorno+ in Old Binondo

WORDS & PUBLISHED BY: Alex A | Lifestyle On Wheels

The festive Binondo Day air is buzzing with anticipation. It was a usual hum of tourists, food crawlers, and sale items. However, riders who want to experience a unique concept should celebrate the historic streets of Manila. Here’s a twist and a fresh concept with vibrant energy. At Lifestyle on Wheels, we designed a unique on-the-go experience. We orchestrated something special that aligns with what we usually do on the pocket ride event, #SafeRideJourney. We are celebrating the 431st Binondo Day with a delightful twist. It’s the Debut Ride of the All-New Honda Giorno+ and the mobile tour-on-the-go experience. It’s the inaugural “Wheels Through Time Guided Tour“!

The stylish scooter, Honda Giorno+, with its Neo-retro design, compact dimensions, and user-friendly features, fits perfectly into the theme ride. It has an easy-to-read analog instrument panel. The scooter also features a convenient open-front compartment. Additionally, there is a secure luggage U-box compartment. This setup was perfect for navigating the historic streets of Binondo. The fuel-efficient eSP (enhanced Smart Power) engine offers smooth and economical rides. This allows us to focus more on the journey through time.

The riders were a handpicked crew of Moto-media for this inaugural ride. From personalities and influencers, they’re ready to experience the charm and agility of this stylish scooter. Esteemed colleagues made this group ride remarkable. These included Moto Pinas, Moto PH, Inside Moto, and RidebuyPh. Also included were Business Mirror, Carmudi Ph, Zigwheels Ph, Top Gear Philippines, and Traffic Network PH. We were also joined by the insightful ArkiRides. The passionate Manila heritage advocate, SJ Go of The Heritage Collective, was with us. Jan Sy also joined and collaborated with us to make a memorable tour destination. The destination was fitted for this concept ride. The spirit of collaboration was so strong. Reso Philippines played a pivotal role in bringing this unique event to life. RidebuyPh was also instrumental. Honda Philippines and Honda Safety Riding Center contributed significantly as well. Koby Motorcare provided refreshing kits. This thoughtful gesture promised to keep us cool and invigorated throughout our historic exploration. And Eng Bee Tin to complete the gastronomic journey.

But it wasn’t just about hopping on a new bike and hitting the road. Lifestyle On Wheels emphasized the importance of safety and camaraderie. This is what #SafeRideJourney is all about. We ensured all participants underwent a comprehensive one-day safety riding enhancement training. This training was made possible by the Honda Safety Driving Center. This thoughtful preparation allowed us not only to familiarize ourselves with the new bike, Honda Giorno+. It also paved the way to learn synchronized group riding and riding etiquette. With the newest riding motocom, Reso was crucial. It truly immersed us in making our ride safe. This innovation made the experience compelling.

Reso Motocom is an innovative communication device that is new in the market. Distributed by Reso Philippines, it first made its test appearance in the endurance ride. And with this “Hopia Ride”, it debuted to seamlessly connect 10 riders for a leisure ride. This debut made the concept of “Wheels Through Time Guided Tour” possible. It doesn’t mean to say, “Goodbye to Walking Tours.” Instead, it presents a new concept and avenue of a Moto-Powered Mobile History Lesson Aboard. It tests Reso Motocom’s clear and reliable communication. It ensures the device has a long battery life. Its easy-to-use interface transforms our journey into a connected and informative experience.

The rendezvous point is the iconic street of Escolta. It is perfect for experiencing its essence and iconic spirit. It also offers a nostalgic tone for our historical adventure. After the quick briefing, we have some exciting chit-chats. Then we move forward with our 10 gleaming Honda Giorno units. We ride beneath the majestic Binondo Arch. There, we take a memorable group photo. The Honda Giorno, with its retro-inspired design, cheerfully looked right at home against the old Manila backdrop.

The “Hopia Ride” officially commenced. The essence of this ride lay in seamless communication and historical immersion. Thanks to Reso Motocom devices we were all equipped with. SJ Go of The Heritage Collective narrated the rich history and streets directly into our helmets. It was like a mobile history lesson, a refreshing departure from the usual walking tours. Or should we say an add-on concept to touring and #MotoTourism?

Our itinerary is not a usual tour since it’s a mobile tour and food-crawl walk tour to key establishments. Our riding leg took us through the bustling streets of Dasma and Quintin Paredes. We finally arrived at our parking spot in the heart of Ongpin, Binondo’s vibrant Chinatown. The Honda Giorno+ proved its mettle to be a nimble and comfortable companion. It effortlessly navigated the urban streets of the Binondo landscape. The lightweight design contributed to easy handling in weaving through traffic with a breeze. It also allows us to truly soak in the sights and sounds around us. And of course, to focus on the tour. In addition, it was also easy to park and lock for safety.

Once parked, it’s time for the much-awaited discovery of the authentic Chinese cultural food. Let the food crawl begin! Binondo, being the oldest Chinatown in the world, has much to offer beyond the usual. It’s a culinary paradise, and Lifestyle On Wheels curated a delightful gastronomic journey. We let the participants indulge in the mouthwatering Dongbei Dumplings. They savored the unique DEC Fried Siopao. A quick visit to the legendary Apologue/Masuki was made. They relished the sweet and savory Shanghai fried siopao. And a refreshing sugarcane juice break to interlude the food exploration.

A leisure walk to the locals’ hidden walkways from Tetuan to Ongpin introduced us to historical landmarks. SJ Go highlighted the significance of the side skirt streets of Binondo’s hidden gems. We stopped at Carvajal Street’s Po Heng. We also visited the famous Eng Bee Tin. This allowed us to sample more local delicacies. It also enabled us to stock up on treats.

The ride is not yet over! We got back on our trusted ride, Honda Giorno+. We weaved through historic streets. We visited San Nicolas, San Fernando, Urbiztondo, Jaboneros, Sto Cristo, Ilangilang, Lavezares, and Lara. Along the way, we made a stop over to admire heritage houses. We saw Bahay na Tisa, the Heneral Luna House, and the Gaspar House. Each house whispered tales of a bygone era. Even local made a remarkable nod at what we are looking at, or maybe admiring our ride? Whichever, it’s a cross-over admiration giving history come alive.

Our final stretch took us through Soler and Alvarado. A quick stop at the unexpected offer from Ruchaya. The owner is so friendly. Our presence while tasting his authentic drinks earned us an on-the-house BBQ treat. It was a lot of servings, indeed a gastronomic overload!

The “Hopia Ride” – #SafeRideJourney Wheels Through Time Guided Tour of Binondo concluded. It ended with a symbolic crossing at the newly restored Binondo-Intramuros Bridge. This crossing connects the historic heart of Binondo back to the walled city of Intramuros. It was a fitting end to the day. The joy of riding beautifully blended with a deep dive into Manila’s rich history. The Honda Giorno was not just a stylish scooter. It was perfect for this unique heritage ride. The “Hopia Ride” – #SafeRideJourney Wheels Through Time Guided Tour of Binondo demonstrated the innovative spirit of Lifestyle on Wheels. Creating memorable experiences. These experiences are both meaningful and on-the-go.