A known animal lover, popular TV host Kim Atienza has been an ambassador of the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) for seven years now. But unknown to many, Kuya Kim is also an avid motorcycle rider who’s like a walking encyclopedia when discussions veer toward two-wheelers.
Kuya Kim celebrated his 50th birthday last week, and some of you might have seen his photo astride the brand-new Ducati XDiavel S that he gifted himself with. The XDiavel S is only one of the bikes in his collection.
“It’s a coincidence that I am also a Ducati fan,” said Kim when he explained how he became the bridge between the Italian motorcycle manufacturer and PEF, a non-government organization formed to protect the endangered species.
Ducati PH officials, led by its president and CEO Toti Alberto and his wife Joy Cua Alberto, turned over a P100,000 cash donation to the PEF last Friday at the Ducati showroom on Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City. The amount came from the proceeds of the First Ducati Golf Tournament held last December 15, 2016, at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.
After being able to reach its target amount thanks to the successful golf event, Atienza revealed that Ducati PH is already planning to stage its second tournament soon.
Kuya Kim also gave advice to Pinoy riders who tend to be promiscuous, with regards to the existence of Philippine eagles. “I just wish na ang lahat ng sumasakay ng motor ay maging kapareho ng Philippine eagle. Bakit? Kasi ang Philippine eagle ay nauubos na, pero iisa lang ang pares,” he said. “Habang isa lang ang kanyang kapares, iniibig niya ito sa habang-buhay. Sana ang lahat ng nagmo-motor ay ganun din. Isa lang dapat ang ating ibigin,” said the popular TV host who is also a devout Christian.
With Ducati’s donation, PEF executive director Dennis Salvador said that Ducati PH may adopt an eaglet which they plan to name as “Desmo,” coined after the Italian motorcycle company’s revolutionary “Desmodromic” engine design.
Salvador says that there are 36 Philippine eagles in captivity and around 400 in the wilderness.
Do you agree that Kuya Kim knows best?
