Run and Bike for our Death March Heroes at the 2017 Freedom Trail

Wazzup Pilipinas!
 

The first ever Mariveles-San Fernando-Capas Freedom Trail promises to be a historic event as runner and bikers from the Philippines and other countries will run and bike along the actual route of the Death March this coming April 10, 2017.

The Freedom Trail has three events: the 160 km ultra-marathon which has a single and 8 or 16 man relay; the “Padyak para sa Kagitingan” bike trail and the Freedom Ride for big bikes with engines of 400cc and up.

There are four history pit stops awaiting participants along the historic trail. The Flaming Sword in Pilar, Bataan; the Layac Junction in Hermosa, Bataan; the old San Fernando Train station in Pampanga and the Capas Shrine at Tarlac. Freedom Trail participants can join and register at any of the pit stops, and get souvenir items.

What’s more is that World War II re-enactors shall be in all the pit stops to give a short presentation and selfie opportunities for everyone.

“The Bataan Death March is probably the best known Philippine WWII event in the world. There are marches, commemorations and markers around the globe. But in the Philippines, we are doing this on the actual site of the Death March.” said Mike Villa-Real, Head of Veterans Bank’s Corporate and Consumer Relations Division.  

Today, we continue to remember and relive their sacrifices which we hope will create awareness among our younger generation. The Freedom Trail is meant to remember and pay honor to the heroism of our Filipino soldiers who risked their lives to defend our country." Villa-Real added.

Proceeds from the Freedom Trail will be used to fund the restoration and maintenance of World War II Historical Markers including the Death March Kilometers along the route.

The Freedom Trail is presented by Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) and co-presented by History Channel Asia and the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), in coordination with the Provincial Government of Bataan and Pampanga, the City Governments of Balanga and San Fernando, the Municipal Government of Capas, the Bataan Tourism Council, the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan Investor Locator Association (FABILA), ANC News Channel, CLTV-36, Asian Journal, Hotel Sogo, AAP Travel, and with Without Limits as race consultant.

For more information, please visit the Facebook pages of Bataan Freedom Run and Freedom Trail or contact (02) 2637768.

To register online for Bataan Freedom Run and Freedom Trail, visit http://bit.ly/PVBFreedomRun-FreedomTrail2017

To donate, visit http://withoutlimits.ph/component/k2/item/66-bfr2017.html

Photo caption: World War II re-enactors of the Philippine Living History Society will give Freedom Trail participants a treat at any of the History Pitstops at  Bataan, Pampanga and Tarlac. For more details, visit the Facebook pages of the Bataan Freedom Run and Freedom Trail.

DOTr Activates OPLAN BIYAHENG AYOS : Semana Santa 2017

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In preparation for the influx of passengers during the observance of the Holy Week, Secretary Arthur Tugade ordered the activation of Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa 2017, and directed all sectoral offices and attached agencies of the Department of Transportation to be on heightened alert to ensure the safety and security of passengers in airports, seaports, and other transportation hubs during the said season.

Secretary Tugade likewise enjoined all frontline agencies to Implement a 24/7 operations for their Action / Operations Centers and ensure direct communication lines with the DOTr Public Concerns Action Center. Further, he instructed the same to ensure that all booths / counters / centers serving passengers are properly manned during all operating hours to prevent heavy queueing.

Road Safety and Public Assistance

The Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will conduct an inspection of buses as part of ensuring the road worthiness of vehicles and safety of the passengers. They will also put up Help Desks at terminals.

Further, LTFRB issued 1,153 special permits to bus operators to accommodate the increase number of passengers.

The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) will deploy additional personnel at toll plazas where traffic build-up is expected. If toll plaza queuing reaches 500 meters, reversible and additional entry or exit lanes will be opened and vehicular counter flow may be facilitated. Emergency medical teams, water trucks, and tow trucks will be deployed for prompt response in case of road crashes and accidents.

Further, all road works and construction activities in expressways, except ongoing major road infrastructure projects, will be suspended from April 12 – 17.

Reducing Airport Congestion

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) committed to assist the Bureau of Immigration in managing queues at immigration counters. Passengers who are about to board and those with connecting flights will be prioritized to avoid missed flights.

An MIAA Management Team will be on duty from April 8 – 16 to ensure smooth passenger flow. A 2-minute unloading rule will also be implemented to prevent congestion.

Passengers will be given free bottled water at NAIA boarding gates. They may also seek assistance from Help Desks manned by MIAA Operations group, airport police and medical team.

The Mactan Cebu Interantional Airport Authority (MCIAA) also created a Task Force to direct and supervise security and safety operations during Holy Week. The Airport Police Division will be placed on red alert status, information and public assistance counters will be activated, taxi complaint slips will be distributed to cab passengers, and convenience of passengers will be ensured at all times.

Sec. Tugade directed the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) to fully man all x-rays at the initial and final cehcks.

Nationwide Inspection of Passenger Ships

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) will conduct a nationwide random inspection of passenger ships from April 07 – 17 to ensure that applicable rules and regulations are complied with, particularly the “No Overloading of Passengers and Cargoes” Policy. MARINA will also ensure strict security protocols are being enforced.

The Philippine Ports Authority also directed its port managers, cargo handling operators, and passenger terminal building operators to ensure maximum security, safety, and convenience of passengers. Passengers will be strictly screened while ship agents are required to regularly update ship arrival and departure schedules. First aid services will be made available in ports on a 24/7 schedule.

Yearly Maintenance Works

All three metro rail systems --- LRT 1, LRT 2, and MRT 3 --- will have no operations from April 13 – 16 to make way for yearly maintenance work. Operations will resume on April 17, Monday.

FamilyMart Turns 4 and Celebrates with Awesome Deals for Everyone

Wazzup Pilipinas!

It’s FamilyMart’s fourth birthday here in the Philippines, and to celebrate the happy occasion, the world’s second largest convenience store chain is treating customers to a line-up of exciting 4th Anniversary Celebration promos that will keep everyone coming back any time of the day.

The popular Japanese convenience store that has been satisfying with fresh and high quality products, and fast and friendly service, wants to thank its Filipino family with special offers you surely won’t get enough of, plus big savings on some of your must-have items. From morning to night, FamilyMart has got you covered.

Deciding what to eat for lunch, dinner or merienda is much easier as you enjoy great deals on fried chicken meals, sharksfin with rice, any jumbo siopao and sandwiches like the Family Hungarian Sausage. You can even get extra rice for only P4.

Pair all your meals with refreshing drinks, and save on any size of the Calamansi Zing and Taro Slush Superfreeze, and other chilled bottles of juice. If you’re looking for an energy boost, grab a Fit ‘n Right Active, Pocari Sweat, Powerade or Gatorade.

Indulge in some of your daily favorites with buy 3 get 1 and buy 1 get 1 offers and savings on items like coffee, ice cream, fruit juices, assorted chips, and even bottles or cans of beer. Just check out FamilyMart’s Facebook page and other social media accounts to be in-the-know about all the items included in the anniversary celebration promos.

Snap card holders even get a special treat. If you have a Snap card, you can earn 40 bonus Snap points when you buy any sponsored product throughout FamilyMart’s anniversary month. 

So, head over to FamilyMart for the best birthday treats this whole month of April.

Find out what’s happening #TodayAtFamilyMartPH. For updates, exciting products, and awesome deals, like and follow FamilyMart Philippines on Facebook, @familymartph on Instagram, and @FamilyMartPH on Twitter.

For store locations or more information on FamilyMart Philippines, log on to www.familymart.com.ph.

FamilyMart is the 2nd largest convenience store chain in the world with over 18,000 stores across Asia. In the Philippines, FamilyMart has branches in Makati, Ortigas, Quezon City, San Juan, Manila, Mandaluyong, Marikina, and Fort Bonifacio Global City.