Jake Cuenca, Gerald Anderson, Sam Milby, John Prats, Marc Solis, and Sancho De las Alas of Drama Moto Club share their bond built on trust, shared adventures, and a love for motorcycles
There’s something about the open road that builds brotherhood. A bond forged not over beers and bets, but in the rumble of engines, the spray of dirt, and the rev of adventure. For the Drama Moto Club—Gerald Anderson, Jake Cuenca, John Prats, Marc Solis, Sam Milby, and Sancho De las Alas—their brotherhood wasn’t built in a bar, but on two wheels, blazing across the Philippines, from province to province and over stretches of road that challenge both man and machine. It’s a bond of brothers with bikes, bound by speed, given to freedom, and the kind of trust only the road can give.
Their name was inspired by the adrenaline rush of acts on screen and the emotional surges that followed them off set, as well as the spectacle of their public existence. Drama Moto Club earned its name because, in a way, their bikes were the only place they could leave the drama behind—or, sometimes, confront it head-on. They rode for survival, for connection, for the quiet moments when the roar of the engine drowned out the noise of everything else.
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The First Love
Jake Cuenca remembers his earliest brushes with motorcycles fondly, thanks to his dad’s passion for the bikes. “I used to help him build and clean the bikes, but I really only got into riding seriously about four or five years ago,” Cuenca shares. “What I love most? It’s the journey, the adventure, and the fact that when you’re riding with friends, you can go further, explore more.”
For John Prats, however, the journey was a little less direct—and a bit more muddy. “I started riding at 15, with motocross. But one day, we hit a trail in Antipolo, and it rained hard, leaving everything super muddy. I got traumatized and quit for years,” he laughs. Fast forward to 2017, and it was Sam Milby who got him back into the saddle.
Sam Milby’s love for motorcycles started young. “My dad was a champion motocross racer, so it’s in my blood,” Milby recalls. “I started racing at 16, but sold my bike after just three races. It wasn’t until I moved to the Philippines that I started riding again, thanks to a sponsorship.” While Milby admits he’s more cautious now, his love for riding hasn’t slowed down. “I’m more scared of big jumps now, but back in the day, I’d go for 70-foot jumps, no hesitation.”
When asked how riding affects his health, especially with his diabetes, Milby says, “It’s a stress reliever for sure. I get stressed out easily, especially in the car, but on a bike, it’s different. It helps mentally.”
The Bikes Behind the Brotherhood
When it comes to bikes, these guys have a taste for power and speed—though they’re not all on the same page. “I think we all have different tastes for motorcycles,” Jake said. “For me, the Tracer 9 GT, it’s perfect. For the type of riding we’re doing, when we go to the provinces, it’s the best bike.”
Gerald Anderson is more of an adventure guy. “I like comfort and size, so my adventure bike suits me perfectly. But honestly, I’m also a fan of Marc’s XSR700. It’s the kind of bike you can take anywhere.”
Milby, who’s had his XSR700 since 2018, chimes in: “I love my 700, but after borrowing Paolo Avelino’s XSR900, I realized how fast and powerful it was. Now I have one too! But for off-roading, I’d go for something like a Ténéré—it’s built for that.”
Marc Solis, who recently switched to an XSR700, reflects on his transition from a cruiser bike: “It was a game-changer. I’d been riding heavy bikes, and switching to this Japanese model was light and easy to handle.”
Sancho De las Alas keeps things simple with his MT-07. “It’s a big jump from 400cc to 700cc, but it’s beginner-friendly,” he shares.
Prats chimes in: “When you choose a bike, it should suit your personality.” He, however, can’t resist a joke: “That’s why I got a maxi-scooter!”
Bonds Forged on the Open Road
When asked about their personal favorite adventure that Drama Moto Club has done, the actors eagerly talked about some of their journeys together. Cuenca recalls their ride to Bukidnon: “That was my favorite. It’s something I’ll never forget. The scenery, the roads—it was incredible.” Milby adds, “It was our first long ride together, and it really set the tone for future trips.”
Not every ride is easy, though. Anderson reflects on their trip to Bicol, “It wasn’t as smooth as Bukidnon or Davao because of the weather and rough roads. But that made it more memorable. It was our first night ride, and even though it was tough, it brought us closer. We had to rely on each other.”
The Bicol to Manila trip tested not only their endurance but also their bond as a group. Covering 400 kilometers, the journey took them two long, grueling days to complete. The distance itself was daunting, but the real challenge lay in the wet weather and the rough terrain they faced along the way. Nobody had slept yet—they were exhausted, drenched, and desperate to finish.
It was almost like a rite of passage in itself. The fatigue, the frustration, and the elements seemed to conspire against them. Yet, somehow, the desperation to make it through together outweighed the urge to stop.
Despite almost giving up, they powered through those final kilometers as a unified force. When they finally rolled into Manila, they knew they’d achieved something far more meaningful than completing a trip. They had earned each other’s trust, forming a bond that could only be solidified by the hardships they had faced on that unforgiving road.
Prats compares these rides to relationships: “It’s like when you go on a trip with your girlfriend—those memories stick with you forever. Our group is like that. These rides are core memories for us.”
Where to Next?
When asked about their dream destinations, the group lights up. Milby mentions Cebu, while Anderson dreams of Sagada. Meanwhile, Prats has his eyes set on Batanes. “I’ve been there before, but not on a motorcycle. It would be an amazing experience.”
delas Alas throws in Ilocos, and Solis suggests, “For now, we’re focused on visiting all the tourist spots in the Philippines. That’s our goal—experience everything, but on a bike.”
I don’t Prats couldn’t help but joke about his dream destinations, but this time, it’s all about skipping the usual pit stops. “We’ve done the mall shows,” he says, making the group crack up and recall their mall shows over the years. “I’ve seen all the SMs, all the Ayala Malls.”
Cuenca sums it up best: “We’ve been to all these places for work, sure. But it’s different when you’re on a motorcycle. You feel connected to the road, to the place. It’s almost like a triathlon—it becomes part of you.”
Alone, Together
When it comes to riding with a passenger versus riding solo, each member of Drama Moto Club has a different take, but one common theme emerges: riding alone is an experience all on its own.
For John Prats, it’s a matter of responsibility. “My wife joins me on city rides,” he says, but when it comes to out-of-town trips, he’s not as comfortable. “I don’t like the feeling of the responsibility since we have kids. I’m more comfortable riding alone. My responsibility is to take care of myself.” The open road, without the extra weight—both literally and figuratively—seems to be where he feels most at ease.
Sancho De las Alas chimes in, noting how your personality shows through your choice of motorcycle. “As a person, you usually determine your character on your motorcycle. So my motorcycle, it’s good for those who ride in the back. You just need to control your riding in the back.” He shares that when he’s alone, it’s a completely different experience. “Sometimes, I just laugh alone because it’s so fast and it’s so good.” But with a passenger? “You need to take extra care and be very mindful.”
Jake Cuenca doesn’t hold back about his preference either. “Honestly, I prefer riding alone. I’m not gonna lie. The back ride is a responsibility.” For him, motorcycling is an escape from life’s burdens, and having someone else along for the ride feels like adding one more. “I’ve had a motorcycle where I didn’t put pegs. No one touches that thing except for me. But like the Tracer though… I feel confident even if I have a back ride with me because it’s made for that. It’s made for touring.”
Sam Milby agrees, adding, “It’s more enjoyable if you’re riding solo. You can ride faster.” The freedom to zip through roads without worrying about the person holding on behind him seems to be his favorite part. However, he does acknowledge, “If you have a back ride and you’re going on a longer trip, it’s nice also to have someone to talk to. Someone to hug.”
For Marc Solis, riding solo is more introspective. “It’s like a meditation when you’re on a bike. Some people ride like it’s their prayer time. Sometimes that’s their prayer time.” He opens up about using riding as a form of therapy after losing his father during the pandemic. “It became an outlet for me. Riding became an outlet… it’s like therapy. It’s ride therapy.” Riding alone, for him, was more than just an activity—it was a lifeline.
Gerald Anderson rounds out the conversation by agreeing with Cuenca about the solitude of riding. “I know what Jake was saying. It’s like you’re in your own world. At least I’m like that.” But he also appreciates moments when riding isn’t a solitary act. “Sometimes, if I see something very beautiful, I’d like to share it with other people… Every place we ride is beautiful. We get to share it together.”
More than bike rides and grounded pavements, the Drama Moto Club is about the brotherhood that comes with it. As they continue to chase new horizons and conquer new roads, one thing’s for sure: the bond between these brothers on bikes is built to last, cool as a Yamaha engine.
