Grab Philippines and ONE Championship Honor Manny Pacquiao With Framed Belt

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Grab Philippines celebrated National Heroes Day last Monday, 26 August by inviting Grab drivers and their families for a day of fun in an event that celebrated Grab’s Everyday Heroes on the road.

In attendance were members of Grab Philippines community, ONE Championship senior executive Victor Cui, and team Lakay athletes Eduard Folayang, Geje Eustaquio, ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua Pacio, and Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao. Also in attendance as a special guest was Filipino sports icon and national hero, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.

The event at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila drew a huge crowd with entertainment and raffles. There were even performances by music and dance acts Shanti Dope, Rocksteddy, and the SexBomb girls.

Fans and Grab drivers who all came out to see Pacquiao, as well as members of the famed Team Lakay of Baguio City, were treated to a world-class evening program.

Pacquiao is a winner of multiple boxing world titles across eight different weight divisions. He is the only man in the history of the sport to achieve such a feat. But he, for the most part, has stayed within the sport of boxing for the majority of his career.

Aside from occasionally dabbling in professional pool, Philippine basketball, acting, and even singing, “Pacman” has remained a boxer. He has, however, dipped his influence in the sport of mixed martial arts -- at least, on the business end.

Pacquiao, who has worked closely with Asia-based martial arts organization ONE Championship in the past, was presented with a token of appreciation, by ONE and ride-hailing company Grab Philippines.

A beautifully-framed ONE Championship world title belt was presented to Senator Pacquiao as a commemorative token for being a national hero.

“Manny [Pacquiao] is such an inspiration to us all. On behalf of Team Lakay, I’d like to thank ONE Championship and Grab Philippines for allowing us to be a part of this event,” said Sangiao.

“Witnessing his career and how he has overcome countless obstacles and constantly defied the odds, Manny motivates us to be the best we can be. He’s a hero for us all. I’m sure everyone at the event was happy to see him there.”

Pacquiao also took the time to make a sizable donation to the Jinkee and Manny Heart Foundation, which gives free heart care for children in the Philippines. The Philippine senator donated 1,000 PHP for every grab driver in attendance, which ended up totaling 1-million PHP overall.

“Not only is he a sports icon, but Manny is also a terrific human being, and an amazing public servant who truly cares for the Filipino people,” said Folayang.

“With what he’s given back to the people, even taking money out of his own pocket to help the poor and underprivileged, it’s more than admirable. It’s inspiring, and it’s motivating. Everyone is in good spirits right now. It was such an honor to even be in the same room as Manny. He’s an absolute legend in every sense,” Folayang added.

ONE Championship and Grab have executed strong partnership activations since the beginning of the year, working on various initiatives in the country, as well as in Southeast Asia. The two companies look to continue that strategic partnership for the remainder of 2019 and beyond.

Join AVON’s Pink Light Night Run and Walk for Breast Cancer

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Help bring women out of the dark

The fun event encourages women to consider the pink light as a reminder of making the breast self-exam a habit for early detection of the disease

Breast cancer remains one of the top causes of death among Filipinas. In fact, according to the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, 1 in 13 Filipinas will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.

With the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society also reporting data (February 2017) that shows the Philippines having the highest prevalence of breast cancer among 197 countries, the need to educate women on the importance of early detection as the best way to beat the disease is as urgent as ever.

Avon Philippines believes that no woman should be left in the dark about breast cancer any longer. As the leading corporate supporter of the cause, the company is teaming up with Color Manila for the Pink Light Night Run and Walk for Breast Cancer 2019 to raise awareness on the disease, and the breast self-exam as the surest means to detect it early.

The Pink Light Night Run and Walk for Breast Cancer, happening on October 19, Saturday, at the Filinvest City Event Grounds, marks the return of Avon’s signature Run and Walk, the annual initiative that many cause supporters have participated in through the years.

This is also the first time ever that it will be a night run and walk event with participants going through a fun course while getting caked in bright pink powder along the way. 

“Avon continues to shed a bigger, brighter light on breast cancer every year,” said Razvan Diratian, General Manager, Avon Philippines. “It’s part of our DNA as the company that advocates and supports vital issues affecting women, and one of our top causes is breast cancer awareness.”

Diratian pointed out that after conducting a global survey in 2017, Avon found that there was a knowledge gap among women about the symptoms of breast cancer and how to lower the risk of developing the disease. “This was how the Avon Breast Cancer Promise was born, making sure that every woman is aware about the disease and how to fight it. We’re using the pink light to remind women to make the breast self-exam a habit for the early detection of the disease,” he concluded. 

Jay Em, Color Manila President, shared, “We’re very proud to be partnering with Avon to underline an important issue everyone should be concerned about. Color Manila is eager to inject the fun and vibrancy it’s known for into the Pink Light Night Run and Walk, and get more people to actively support a worthwhile cause in an enjoyable and exciting way.”

Everybody who joins the Pink Light Night Run and Walk event will be donating and providing assistance to the Philippine Cancer Society, Avon’s long-time partner in its fight against breast cancer.

One of the fruits of this partnership has been the creation of the Avon-Philippine General Hospital Breast Care Center, which provides health care and assistance to approximately 150 women a day—offering free breast health guidance, consultation, and check-ups.
 
“We’ve always cherished our relationship with Avon,” said Dr. Rachael Rosario, Executive Director, Philippine Cancer Society. “They have been a constant and committed partner in our advocacy, and instrumental in establishing the Breast Care Center in PGH which has helped save many women’s lives and continues to serve even more.”

After lighting up several landmarks such as Manila City Hall, SM MOA Globe, Quezon City Memorial, and Avon EDSA Branch in pink last year, Avon is inviting everyone to become the pink light themselves to help remind Filipinos to know the risks, see the signs, and take action when it comes to breast cancer. 

Join the Avon Pink Light Night Run and Walk for Breast Cancer by running in either the 3K, 5K, or 10K distances.

Participants can also choose from different race kit packages that all come with a special Pink Light head lamp to guide runners through the night.

Warrior - P950 (singlet, race bib, finisher’s medal, sponsor freebies)
Fighter - P1500 (singlet, race bib, finisher’s medal, sponsor freebies, drawstring bag)
Hero - P2000 (t-shirt, race bib, finisher’s medal, sponsor freebies, drawstring bag)

Register for the run at www.colormanila.com, www.smtickets.com, and www.travelbook.ph.

DOTr: Improved Cebu BRT Right on Track for Partial Operability in 2021

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (Cebu BRT) is now on its final design and implementation stages, and is right on track for phase 1 implementation on December 2021.

The improved design plan provides for a wholly dedicated BRT corridor to ensure reliability of service, better connectivity, and enhanced ease of movement, in contrast to the previous design that only featured a combination of dedicated BRT corridors with mixed-traffic sections.

The Cebu BRT, which forms part of the Cebu Integrated and Intermodal Transport System (CIITS), aims to promote enhanced mobility and connectivity for Cebuanos traversing through various modes of public transportation such as road-based land transport, railway, and other transport infrastructure projects in the pipeline.

To assess the technical feasibility and soundness of the design plan of the Cebu BRT, the DOTr engaged the service of a Technical Support Consultant (TSC), Egis International, a move supported by the World Bank (WB) and the Agence Française Développement (AFD).

The TSC crafted the Metro Cebu Integrated Intermodal Transport Plan (MCIITP), which identified corridors where mass transit systems should be developed. In serving its purpose to guide the alignment of future mass transit developments, the MCIITP aims to provide a seamless and integrated mass public transport system not just in Cebu City but also in adjacent cities.


No route reductions, only partial operability timelines

With the aid of the TSC, the the DOTr has meticulously refined the Cebu BRT design plan to ensure that the project, along with others under the CIITS, will comprehensively improve the traffic situation in Metro Cebu, help spur regional growth even in adjacent cities and towns, and bring comfort and convenience to the commuters of the sprawling metropolis in Central Philippines.

According to DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport Mark De Leon, the design plan for the Cebu BRT is an improved version of the initial project design approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in 2014, and that the improvements made are still within the said approved conceptual plan, and with foremost consideration for the improved mobility and connectivity of the people of Cebu.

“No changes were made on the alignment of the Cebu BRT. It was, in no way, shortened. In fact, to this day, the plan calls for a route of 23 kilometers. Simply put, design considerations are not confined to present demands, but factors in future infrastructure development, expansions and extensions,” Usec. De Leon said.

“What was perceived as route reduction was the division of the project into three phases under the new design plan. The rationale for this segmentation is in line with the policy of partial operability instituted by Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, which aims to carry out infrastructure projects in phases to allow for faster implementation and, therefore, immediately bring a considerable degree of operable service and benefit to the public without them having to wait for the full completion of the project which, in the case of the Cebu BRT, extends beyond the Duterte administration,” De Leon added.

By December 2021, the Cebu BRT Phase 1 will have been established along dedicated busways from Cebu South Bus Terminal to Capitol via Osmeña Boulevard. Phases 2 and 3 will extend the dedicated BRT lanes to Bulacao and SRP in the south, and Talamban in the north.

The three-year allowance before the implementation of Phases 2 and 3 while Phase 1 is under construction is to obtain enough time to acquire the necessary Right of Way.

Phase 1 of the Cebu BRT will become operational before the end of 2021, while phases 2 and 3 of the entire alignment, as indicated both in the original and in the new project designs, is targeted to be fully operational by 2025.