Guimaras resident builds bike with wood, scrap materials

A creative and talented 32-year-old resident of Guimaras created a bicycle made out of wood, Izzy Lee reported Wednesday on “Stand for Truth.”

Jannifer Cabaya has dreamed of owning a bicycle since childhood but he does not have enough money to buy one.

“Gusto ko po talaga na magkaroon ng bike, simula bata po ako pangarap ko na po na magkaroon nito. At dahil pandemic, nagtitipid na rin po. Imbis na pambili ng bike, eh unahin muna ang mga importante, lalo na ‘yung mga pagkain,” Cabaya said.

This is why he opted to build his own bicycle using wood and scrap materials. Cabaya also attached a monoshock for better bike stability on uneven ground.

“Bale, bumili po ako ng kahoy. ‘Yung gulong sa likod, bale hiningi ko lang po ‘yan tapos ‘yung sa harap, hiniram ko lang sa kaibigan ko,” Cabaya said.

Cabaya said he owned a motorcycle that he has not yet finished paying off. However, amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, he has not been using it to save up money.

“Pangatlo po ako sa pitong magkakapatid at dahil ako ay panganay sa lalaki, ako ang tumulong sa mga kapatid at sumusuporta din po sa mga kapatid ko,” Cabaya said.

“Huminto po ako sa pag-aaral dahil po ang nanay ko namatay noon. Tapos ang tatay ko ay parang nawalan na nga ng pag-asa mabuhay kaya po naglalasing na lang. Hanggang sa namatay po siya,” he added.

Cabaya has been working as a caretaker of a farm in Guimaras for almost three years. However, since his father died last year, he has returned to Iloilo.

Though he remained in contact with his siblings, only the youngest remained in the area.

“Nakakalungkot din na kapag umuwi ako, wala na siya. Medyo malungkot dito kasi, ayun nga, gubat at kambing ang kasama ko tapos, pero sa tagal ko na dito parang nasanay na rin ako na nag-iisa,” Cabaya said said.

“Kaya naisip ko po na gumawa na lang ng bike,” he added.

The video was uploaded by Renzie Azucena, who was amazed with Cabaya's creativity. -- Joahna Lei Casilao/BAP, GMA News