By Cam Arcilla-Siddayao, Globe
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trying out a child seat at the e-bike store with my baby
