The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) is an annual motorcycle charity event that brings together riders worldwide in a celebration of style and solidarity. More than just a ride, this event raises funds and awareness for November, the leading charity committed to changing the face of men’s health. The annual event is held every third Sunday of May, where participants dress in sartorial elegance and ride classic or vintage motorcycles, all to support crucial initiatives in prostate cancer research and men’s mental health.
Since its inception in 2012, the event has united hundreds of thousands of riders in cities worldwide, turning heads and making a meaningful impact. To date, the DGR has conducted 1,037 rides in 108 countries, raising around US$59.47 million (PhP863,275,468). By combining the love of motorcycling with a noble cause, the DGR proves that looking sharp and doing good can go hand in hand.
Manila Gentleman’s Ride
The DGR 2025 was held on May 18 in 33 different venues around the Philippines. Along with other gentlemen and rider-belles, I mounted my 2022 Harley-Davidson Softail Breakout 114 to join the Manila ride. At 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, I rode into the City Hall Grounds in Diliman, Quezon City, where thousands of riders were already gathered. The DGR 2025 marshals did an excellent job of collecting the riders around designated parking spaces and assembling everybody for the traditional ceremonies.
After several speeches and safety announcements, the DGR 2025 took off at approximately 7:30 AM. Riders rolled out from the QC City Hall into Elliptical Road, then to Quezon Avenue to the Welcome Rotonda. Upon crossing the border between Quezon City and Manila, the parade proceeded down España Boulevard, made a left turn at Lacson Avenue (formerly Forbes Avenue), near the historic University of Santo Tomas (UST), and then continued onto Nagtahan Bridge, before heading straight towards Quirino Avenue.
At the Century Park Hotel
The convoy of 1,568 DGR 2025 riders took a left turn onto Adriatico Street, heading towards the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, and then turned right onto Harrison Road to arrive at the Century Park Hotel Manila on P. Campos Street. The distance of the DGR 2025 route was only 16 kilometers, and thankfully, it took less than an hour due to the light traffic. We all parked in front of a construction site where the former Harrison Plaza Mall had been located. I learned that a new SM Mall will soon rise in that area.
Inside Century Park Hotel Manila, the majority of the participants continued mingling with fellow riders and enjoyed the camaraderie. I was fortunate to ride again with my friends, Jarvis Singh on his cool Triumph Trident, and Hans Doragos on his spicy red Ducati Diavel. I had a great time talking about the past with Danny Rañola, who rode with his wife Noemi on their Royal Enfield. I later learned that DGR 2025 Manila was able to raise P141,714, while the total donations raised by DGR 2025 nationwide reached P418,079. Kudos to Pow Bonifacio, John Mendoza, Royal Enfield Knights, Reapers, and other volunteer clubs and individuals for helping organize and marshal a successful DGR.
