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A mom on two wheels: Why I bike to work

Cam Arcilla-Siddayao, Public Relations and Communications Strategy Manager at Globe, shares her journey of bike-commuting in Metro Manila, highlighting how small, intentional choices can contribute to a greener future. Her story illustrates the intersection of motherhood, sustainability, and corporate commitment, proving that every pedal stroke counts.


With my e-bike during a community ride from Ayala to Morato, Quezon City
With my e-bike during a community ride from Ayala to Morato, Quezon City

It’s true what they say that motherhood changes everything. In my case, it also changed my daily commute.


Every morning, I leave our home balancing a breast pump, packed lunch, and a few mom-life essentials—all strategically packed into panniers clipped on my e-bike. My baby is now 10 months old, but I’ve been bike-commuting to work since he was five months old. People ask me why I do it, and the answer is always the same: time.


In Metro Manila, traffic is merciless. Getting stuck in gridlock robs me of time I could spend with my son. So I made a decision—a strategic, sanity-saving, eco-conscious choice to ditch the car and ride.


Biking to work in a dress

But this story isn’t just about a mom with a bike. It’s also about how Globe makes this journey not only possible, but sustainable. As a PR and Communications Strategy Manager, I know firsthand how our company advocates greener ways of living, and more importantly, walks the talk.


At The Globe Tower in BGC, I park my bike at B5 (yes, we have two levels with dedicated bike parking! The other one is at B3.). At noon and in the afternoon, I take breaks in between work and proceed to the 19th floor for my morning pumping session. The mom’s room is inclusive, quiet, and equipped with a fridge—tiny details that make a huge difference in the life of a working mother.


Left photo: Basement 3 bike parking at The Globe Tower; Right photo: Basement 5 bike parking at The Globe Tower


My baby may be too young now to understand why mommy disappears into traffic every morning with a helmet and a lunchbox, but one day, I’ll tell him: I biked to work to be home sooner.

Cycling to work isn’t just good for my mental and physical health. It also contributes to Globe’s ESG metrics, specifically our Scope 3 emissions which include employee commuting. By choosing to bike, I’m minimizing my own indirect impact. It may seem small, but collectively, these choices add up. (If you’re into sustainability, check Globe’s 2024 Integrated Report.)


On my way to work with some bike friends
On my way to work with some bike friends

This personal choice also aligns with a much bigger corporate vision. As part of the Ayala Group, Globe is contributing to the group-wide ambition of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. And reaching this goal isn’t just a matter of shifting operations—it requires people, too.


Employees like me are encouraged to reduce our carbon footprint through practical, lifestyle-based changes: biking to work, cutting back on waste, and living more consciously. It’s empowering to know that the simple act of pedaling isn’t just helping me get home faster— it’s contributing to a future that’s cleaner, safer, and more resilient.


Participating in a community ride
Participating in a community ride

A Jittery Start


I’ve been into cycling since 2023, but it was really for leisure. So when I started bike-commuting, I was nervous. Our roads are chaotic, infrastructure is inconsistent, and bike lanes feel more symbolic than protective. But slowly, I learned the rhythm of the road—and more importantly, I found community. Through @tarabikebike, a cycling Instagram account I started with my husband, we connect with other urban cyclists and bike commuters, many of whom are women reclaiming their place in public spaces once dominated by cars and intimidation.


I’m grateful that Globe doesn’t just tolerate this lifestyle—it encourages and enables it. Infrastructure, inclusivity, and environmental accountability aren’t buzzwords here. They’re built into the workplace.

Ways to protect myself while biking

There’s a particular freedom in biking that I didn’t expect. It’s not just the breeze or the autonomy, it’s the mindset shift. On my bike, I’m not passive. I’m present. I’m making choices: when to slow down, when to swerve, when to stop. It reminds me that motherhood isn’t just about sacrifice; it’s about control. And biking gave some of that back to me.


I also see this as a teaching moment. My baby may be too young now to understand why mommy disappears into traffic every morning with a helmet and a lunchbox, but one day, I’ll tell him: I biked to work to be home sooner. More than that, I biked because I care–about the planet, my health, and the future we’re all shaping together.


Trying out a child seat at the e-bike store with my baby
Trying out a child seat at the e-bike store with my baby

More than just a trend, active mobility is a practical, people-first solution to the urban chaos we all live in. But it takes commitment, not just from individuals, but from organizations. I’m grateful that Globe doesn’t just tolerate this lifestyle—it encourages and enables it. Infrastructure, inclusivity, and environmental accountability aren’t buzzwords here. They’re built into the workplace. They show up in how we support working moms. How we design office spaces. How we calculate our impact.


Just finished grocery shopping where I loaded everything in my panniers
Just finished grocery shopping where I loaded everything in my panniers

So yes, I bike to work. I pedal through potholes, elevations, and past vehicles. I arrive sweaty, but alive and grateful.


It’s not the easiest way, but it’s the best way for me, for my family, and for the future we’re building.

Because this isn’t just a ride. It’s a movement.



As more individuals and organizations embrace sustainable choices, every effort—big or small—brings us closer to a healthier, greener future. Are you inspired to make your own small change today?


Follow Globe Telecom's LinkedIn page to find out more about our sustainability programs.


This story was originally written and published for WeAreAyala Life.


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