Cycling to the Moon and Back: Gebrüder Weiss Launches a New Competition

Lauterach, March 22, 2024. This year, Gebrüder Weiss again calls upon cyclists to participate in the company’s international cycling campaign “GWcycles”. From March 25, cycling enthusiasts all over the world will be pedaling for all they are worth. The goal of the sports competition in 2024 is ambitious: cycling to the moon and back. International participants have until September 30 to cover the distance of 768,800 kilometers.

As in previous years, GWcycles combines this sports challenge with environmental protection: the international transport company will plant another 7,000 trees in Nicaragua for the kilometers covered by the participants. In the two previous rounds, a total of 13,000 trees have been planted in Togo and Nicaragua. By planting these corporate forests, Gebrüder Weiss makes an important and active contribution to a climate-friendly future.

“At Gebrüder Weiss, we believe in sustainable mobility, and as a global logistics company, we are enthusiastic about moving things together,” Frank Haas, Head of Corporate Brand Strategy & Communications at Gebrüder Weiss, describes the essential motivation and targets of GWcycles. “So far, our cycling community has accomplished spectacular results each year; they enjoy exercising and actively contributing to environmental protection. We are looking forward to this year’s competition.”

Following the previous year’s campaign, which ended with a surprising success – more than 15 times around the world – we’re challenging the participants of the 2024 competition to cycle to the moon and back. The main prize that Gebrüder Weiss offers to the top 300 cyclists is a gravel bike, as well as other attractive prizes for seven different challenges. Anyone can participate in the competition. The number of kilometers completed will be recorded and calculated in a cycling app. Click here to go to the relevant app: www.gw-world.com/de/cycling-around-the-world. Simply download, register, and get started!

Philippine Veterans Bank Gears Up for the 1st Historic Victory Day Bike Ride in Baguio Honoring WWII Veterans

Baguio City will witness a momentous event that blends history and sportsmanship. The inaugural Victory Day Ride spearheaded by the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) slated on September 3, 2023, will take cycling enthusiasts and history aficionados on a journey to honor the sacrifices of World War II veterans and raise awareness about Baguio Victory Day.

Mike Villa-Real, PVB first vice president for marketing and communications, said “the enactment of R.A. 11216 in 2018, marks September 3rd of each year as a special working holiday, marking Yamashita’s surrender and Victory Day in the Philippines. This day in 1945 is clearly a significant historical event marking the success and along with it, the toil and sacrifices, of the soldiers of both the United States and the Philippines. However, it is not as well-known as the “Araw ng Kagitingan” (Day of Valor) commemorated April 9 each year.”

Organized in partnership with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), City Government of Baguio, Wartime Heritage Guild Philippines (WHG), Without Limits, Salgado PR, this ride aims to foster a deeper understanding of the city's significant role during WWII while encouraging active participation in the sport of cyclists of all ages and backgrounds.

Inspired by the annual Ride for Valor that retraces the infamous Death March, the Victory Day Bike Ride takes a different route, focusing on the historical sites and landmarks associated with Baguio City's role in World War II. Cyclists and participants will embark on a 44.5 kilometer route that meanders through the city's picturesque landscapes and historical spots, providing a unique opportunity to relive the past and honor the heroes who fought valiantly for freedom.

While the Ride for Valor primarily focuses on the Death March, the Victory Day Bike Ride aims to balance the narrative by shedding light on the broader scope of World War II history in the Philippines. The Victory Day Bike Ride seeks to increase awareness about Baguio City's role during the war. The event intends to give due recognition to the countless Filipino and American soldiers who fought for the country’s liberation

The Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) invites sports and cycling enthusiasts to join the Ride for Victory Day, a bike-for-a-cause event that aims to raise funds for the maintenance of the country’s historical markers and other World War 2 heritage sites.

The ride is open to fully vaccinated cyclists and all types of bikes with brakes. Villa-Real said participants may ride at their own pace, and will also implement a "No Helmet, No Ride" policy to ensure the safety of the participants.

Villa-Real also said a mechanic will be available to help those who encounter mechanical difficulties, while roving marshals will be present to keep track of the riders' progress. Support vehicles are allowed, but riders should only ride in the vehicle if they choose to drop out of the event.

The non-competitive bike ride will have 5 pitstops: Start at Baguio City Hall, First Stop, Camp Allen, Second Stop, USAFIP-NL Marker, Third Stop, Sablan View Deck, Fourth Stop, Fort Del Pilr (Philippine Military Academy), Fifth and Final Stop, US Embassy in Camp John Hay.

The registration fee for the Ride for Victory Day is P600, which includes an official event shirt, a race bib and passport, a loot bag, post-ride meal, and commemorative medal.
Interested individuals may register online at https://bit.ly/victorydayride-regform while groups may email rideforvalor@gmail.com until September 1.

PVB is a private, commercial bank owned by World War 2 veterans and their families. With its new Charter signed into law, the Bank's ownership now includes Post War Veterans and AFP Retirees.

For more information about the event, follow Victory Day Ride on Facebook.
#PVB1stVictoryDayRide #BaguioCity #SalgadoPR

PH Leg of 2022 UCI Gravel World Series ends on a Triumphant Note

With some of the most inspired riding and trying tracks in a race this year, the 2022 UCI Gravel World Series Philippines is in the books, literally in the history books, as being the starting point of the first-ever race series of its kind under the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). 

The multi-nation, multiple-leg race series kicked off last April 3, 2022 in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, a picturesque municipality that has become a favorite destination within the global biking community for the past few years.

After enduring the dirt road with a flat tire near the finish line, Butuan native Riemon Lapaza emerged as the top placer of the Philippine leg in all categories, clocking in 3:06:46.7. The champion of the men’s 35-39 years old category was trailed behind by Netherlands Rick Nobel, who placed first in the men’s 19-34 category. 

Mellisa Jane Jaroda topped the women’s 19-34 category, and ranked first among female racers with 3:39:00.639.

Close to 400 riders were in attendance, all vying for the chance to finish the 85-km race. Each qualifier was awarded with a finisher medal, and 25% of each rider category earned a UCI qualifying medal and automatically made it to the UCI World Championships.

Participants from the Philippines and the rest of the world powered through all the ascents, river crossings, water features, and everything else that Bongabon’s legendary terrain put in front of them. As Vic Narciso, one of the riders, described the journey as he crosses the finish line, “it was the most challenging and violent race I’ve ever done, but I can’t stop smiling.” 

Ann Aleonar, who has been racing since 2010, shared that she was overwhelmed with gratitude. “I took a 5-year break from racing, and anyone who’s raced knows that it isn’t easy to come back – especially up to racing level,” Aleonar said. “And then the pandemic happened, it really wasn’t easy. When I actually finished and qualified, the first feeling I felt was gratefulness.” 

The Philippine leg attracted competitors from Europe and Asia, who not only found victory here in the country, but a biking scene that welcomed them with open arms. Tokyo’s Junro Nagashima of cycling team Roppongi Express, said that he was not surprised at how friendly the Filipino riders were, but that he was surprised at how comfortable they all made him and his teammate feel. Rick Nobel from the Netherlands, who placed first in the 19-34 Male category, was also seen smiling from ear-to-ear, in the midst of his newfound friends within the local riding community. Jared Hui, a rider from Singapore, wrote a long testimony on Facebook about how local MTB legend Bans Mendoza lent him his personal bike after he realized that his own two-wheeler wasn’t the right setup for the race. 

Bongabon Mayor Allan Gamilla also made an appearance and expressed gratitude to the organizers for tapping Bongabon, Nueva Ecija as the first and only Asian leg in the 2022 UCI Gravel World Series. “This is a big boost for Bongabon as a destination for sports tourism. We hope to make use of the municipality’s potential to help promote the country, and further establish it as major global hub for gravel riding.”

These were just a few of the stories of how an amazing sporting event brings all kinds of people together, with everyone leaving the venue with full hearts already asking about the next race. Clearly, in more ways than one, UGWSPH made its mark.

For the full results of the 2022 UCI Gravel World Series Philippines

visit www.wjctiming.com/main-result

For more information and content, follow UGWSPH on:

www.facebook.com/ugwsph

www.instagram.com/ugwsph 

Luxurious Property Investment in the South

Bristol at Parkway Place—exceptional, modern, and luxurious—stands out among upscale property projects in Metro South.

Bristol has proven to be a superior investment proposition, whose value has been continuously rising, providing early investors with excellent returns of up to 30 percent. It is also an excellent development project, located at the prestigious corner of Corporate and Parkway Avenues, dubbed as Millionaires’ Row, at the upmarket section of the masterplanned green urban center Filinvest City in Alabang.

What was once just the bold vision of exceptional minds at Filigree had been turned by world-class consultants into a reality of 40 carefully built stories of concrete and glass. Since 2018, Bristol’s astute investors and discriminating homeowners have started taking possession of their dream spaces.

“As residents steadily make their home at Bristol at Parkway Place, they can start enjoying a handsome return on investment. With its strategic location, luxurious features and exceptional amenities, Bristol possesses all the high value attributes of a remarkable property asset,” says Filigree head Kate Ilagan.

Bristol offers an unrivalled world of grandeur with its privately gated circular driveway leading to the imposing, hotel-like reception lobby. At the ground floor, a vibrant plaza environment with carefully curated boutiques and specialty restaurants will be made available for private retail therapy and relaxed, sumptuous dining.

Other amenities—all befitting a life of leisure and utmost sophistication—include a soothing swimming pool and kiddie pool, relaxing landscaped pool deck, verdant tree courtyard, function room for private events, fully-equipped fitness center, children’s play area, yoga deck, and a well-stocked library and media center for watching movies, etc. A sky lounge offers stunning views of the Alabang skyline and Laguna de Bay.

Bristol units are spacious and exceptionally crafted: one-bedroom pied-à-terre for singles, two-bedroom unit for young couples and three-bedroom suite for growing families. Each unit has a balcony and unmatched finish and shows unparalleled attention to detail.

Indeed, Bristol at Parkway Place by luxury real estate brand Filigree sets the bar for luxurious condominium living and intelligent real-estate investment.

Major Developments Mark 2018 for Filinvest Mimosa+

Filinvest Mimosa+ Leisure City gave a big boost in 2018 to the economic evolution of Clark, Pampanga.

Filinvest’s first township in the North established itself last year as a major player in the transformation of Clark into an economic hub. Many factors have set Filinvest Mimosa+ in full motion, including the opening of major developments like the Workplus, an office campus set amid lush natural surroundings and fully equipped with fiber optic facilities, and recent key renovations at the Quest Plus Conference Center Clark. Filinvest Mimosa+ hosted a number of events that brought together the Clark community. The stunning and verdant Acacia Park was one of the venues for festive gatherings.

Last year, Filinvest Mimosa+ officially announced future large-scale attractions, like the International Casino and Hotel and Lifestyle Mall, among many other developments that will reshape the business and lifestyle landscape up north. Operating soon at Filinvest Mimosa+ is the Lodgeplus, a residential facility that will complement the Workplus office campus, as Filinvest Mimosa+ continues to promote a healthy work-life balance.


Filinvest Mimosa+ is also bringing the Clark Mimosa Strip to life. Filinvest’s first commercial project venture in the Central Luzon region, the retail strip will be situated on a 1.3-hectare land area and is envisioned as a lifestyle hub with various concept stores, wellness services and a wide array of dining options.


Filinvest Mimosa+ Leisure City is home to Quest Plus Conference Center Clark, Mimosa Golf Course and Workplus Office Campus. To know more about the live and upcoming developments, visit www.mimosaplus.com.

Swim, Bike, Run Towards a Healthy Lifestyle

Fitness enthusiasts of all ages got together for a fun Sunday morning of swim, bike, run at the first HMO-powered triathlon, MediCard’s Sprint Tri, in Fontana Leisure Park in Clark, Pampanga.

The triathlon included a 600-m swim, 20-km bike, and 5-km run.  Athletes took several laps in the Olympic-sized pool and went on to a one-loop bike course around the Clark grounds, and a single-loop run on the rolling paths of the resort. It also featured a relay category for family, friends, or teammates.

Joining the event were MediCard president Dr. Nicky Montoya and COO Atty. Jon S. Montoya to advocate for a healthy and active lifestyle and to further show their dedication towards providing accessible healthcare to Filipinos.

“This is one of the best ways to encourage everyone – from little kids to adults, even the more senior ones – to exercise and move,” said MediCard president Nicky Montoya.

Participants of all ages finished strong with Adrian Thomas Dionisio nabbing the top spot of the 15-17 age group as he clocked in at 1:07:46, while Ian Banzon from the women’s category topped the 35-39 age group as she finished at 1:19:53.

Through the MediCard Sprint Tri, many beginner athletes were able to start achieving optimal health while having fun.

Filinvest Mimosa+ Kicks Off Holiday Season with Festive Concert

I
Christmas comes early at Filinvest Mimosa+ in Clark, Pampanga with a concert on November 24, 2018, 6 p.m. onwards, at the Acacia Park, to kick off the joyous season.

Catch remarkable artists and performers, headed by the Philippines’ premier crooner, Richard Poon, who will sing all-time favorite Christmas tunes! Joining him is Pampanga’s pride, the Holy Angel University Chorale, winner of the Gold Prize Award in the 10th Fukushima Vocal Ensemble Competition held in March 2017.

Highlight of the event is the ceremonial lighting of its Christmas installations and decorations, capped by an amazing fireworks display, that will surely delight everyone throughout the holiday season.

Filinvest Mimosa+ Leisure City is an integrated, balanced, and eco-centric township that offers a real work, live, and play environment. With the Stellar Christmas at Mimosa+, families, their loved-ones and friends have an extra special reason to visit the world-class Filinvest Mimosa+ in Clark, which boasts of a championship golf course and superb accommodations, dining facilities and leisure amenities.

To know more about the events and activities at Filinvest Mimosa+ this holiday season, visit www.facebook.com/FilinvestMimosaPlus.

Bristol at Parkway Place by Filigree at crest of South’s Property Growth

Choosing a real estate investment to add to one’s growing and diversifying portfolio can be tricky. Many factors have to be considered in selecting from a variety of upscale property projects in the market. But for discriminating real estate investors, one premium condominium development stands out—Bristol at Parkway Place by Filigree, the new gold standard in luxury real estate in the country.

Bristol at Parkway Place is worthy of any investor’s consideration. In fact, since launch, Bristol’s investment value has progressively improved. Its units’ worth has steadily increased owing to Filinvest City’s growth trajectory, providing early investors excellent returns of up to 30 percent. Bristol’s competitive price, though, is just one of the many attributes that attract buyers.

“As residents steadily make Bristol at Parkway Place their home, they can already enjoy a handsome return on their investment,” says Kate Ilagan, Filigree head. “With its strategic location, high-end features and amenities, Bristol truly possesses all the high value attributes that make it a remarkable property asset.”

Embodying central living, the 40-story Bristol at Parkway Place is strategically situated at the gateway of the dynamic Filinvest City in Alabang, a masterplanned central business district that continues to transform the landscape of Metro South with its land values more than doubling in the last five years. Filinvest City also bares the distinction of being the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED-certified business district in the country, thereby cementing its status as a future-proof, green-oriented community.

Filinvest City’s benchmark-setting increases in land value may be attributed to continuous construction and completion of office buildings, resulting in the influx of corporations locating in the Metro South. Another factor is the ease of access to the city—thanks to the Skyway. Soon, travelling from the Metro South to North and vice versa will be made hassle-free with infrastructure projects like the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road via Skyway and the North-South Rail Commuter Railway. Undeniably, with its location and proximity to main thoroughfares, residents of Bristol not only will live a life of luxury, but also one of utmost convenience at the heart of a bustling metropolis.

The unit offerings of Bristol at Parkway Place make it an even more desirable and most valuable real estate investment for Filipino entrepreneurs and expatriates alike. Bristol comes with aptly-sized and thoughtfully designed one-, two-, and three-bedroom units—ranging from 53 square meters to as much as 168 square meters—all well-appointed, with balconies, and built to the highest standards and finishes.

Its ground floor has been dedicated to specialty stores that make it convenient for residents to shop and dine. Almost everything a resident desires is but an elevator ride or a short walk away: restaurants, retail outlets, and other essential establishments.

Backed by Filigree’s unwavering commitment to deliver its projects on time and without compromise, Bristol at Parkway Place has already started turning over units in the first half of 2018. Indeed, Bristol may be the best upscale real estate investment today as it takes luxurious, central living to new heights and offers residents great value for their money.

“Homeowners in the Metro South are now embracing the condo living lifestyle and the luxury and modern conveniences it brings,” Ilagan continues. “No doubt, Bristol at Parkway Place is fast-becoming the top-of-mind choice for those seeking only the finest and most valuable in upscale, high-rise residential projects.”

For more details on Filigree’s Bristol at Parkway Place, visit www.bristol.com.ph or call (02) 809-6517.

Google Maps: Keeping Filipinos on the Move with Motorbike Mode

Google launched a brand new feature, “motorbike mode” to help Filipinos bikers navigate traffic across the Philippines.

Google Maps already has a number of features to help Filipinos reach their destinations including a feature that helps transit riders never miss their stop with Google Maps sending an alert when it’s time to get off. But until now, there was no dedicated navigation mode for motorcycle riders.

In the Philippines, biking is a common way to cut through the traffic with 4.1M motorbike owners in the Philippines and motorbikes have specific needs. Motorbikes often move at different speeds than cars. Previously, motorbike riders would often do a mental calculation to estimate their arrival times based on a combination of walking and driving routes.

The new motorbike mode feature helps out by, delivering:

• More accurate travel times based on machine learning models that reflect motorbike speeds.
• Avoid restricted roads where motorbikes are not allowed to travel.
• Easy-to-memorize routes, using landmarks along the way.

Here is what the motorbike mode feature looks like:

We want to provide the most local and relevant experience to meet people's needs. We're pleased to offer a new feature that we hope makes getting around on a motorbike in the Philippines a little easier. We want to help motorbike riders get to where they want to go reliably and confidently and keep Filipinos on the move.

Filinvest City all set for 6th Endurance Weekend

It’s time to test your limits and build your strength as Filinvest City, the premiere lifestyle destination in the Metro South, once again plays host to the Endurance Weekend on July 7 to 8 at the Pacific Rim, Filinvest City.

Now on its sixth year, participants can look forward to a bigger and more exciting set of bike courses. Bikers can opt to go solo or with a team and choose from a category of 24-Hour Solo (Elite), 24-Hour Team, 12-Hour Solo (Age Category), 12-Hour Team, 6-Hour Solo (Elite), and 6-Hour Solo (Age Category).

“We are very excited to host our sixth Endurance Weekend following the success of the previous editions,” says Filinvest Alabang Inc.’s vice president for townships Don Ubaldo. “This sporting event is another opportunity for us to tap into the biking community and showcase Filinvest City as a garden city that promotes a healthy and active lifestyle.”

To register, aspiring participants may log onto https://reg.goorahna.com/#/event/endurance-weekend-2018. Online registration to the Endurance Weekend 2018 is open until July 4, 2018.

So get your biking gears ready and prepare for a fun race experience with thrilling bike trails and tree-canopied road networks only at Filinvest City.

For more information, visit Filinvest City’s official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/FilinvestCityOFFICIAL/.

World-class Pump Track Action at The Bike Playground’s First Anniversary

As the first and only bike park in the country, The Bike Playground celebrated another milestone with its first anniversary event. Last April 7, 2018, The Bike Playground held the Red Bull Pump Track World Championships qualifier, an exhilarating global race series that took local pump track racing to new heights, and welcomed local biking enthusiasts from all over the country.

This was held as one of the qualifier events that are undertaken in cities around the world, which will culminate with the grand final to be held on September 7, 2018 in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. This is set to coincide with the world-renowned Union Cycliste Internationale Mountain Bike (UCI MTB) World Championships, where the official Pump Track World Champion will be named in the finals. 

For the Philippine leg of the competition, Jericho Farr takes the win in Manila for the men’s category, with Lea Denise Belgica taking the top spot in the women’s.

With heart-pumping bike exhibitions to thrill the crowd, The Bike Playground’s anniversary also featured Dutch professional mountain biker Joost Wichman, winner of the 2013 UCI Championship, World Cup racer, Radon Factory rider & team manager, and celebrity in the biking world was present as a participant in the Philippine leg of the qualifiers. 

The global race series is being jointly undertaken by Red Bull and Velosolutions. 

Velosolutions is globally known for its pump track and bike park construction, and is also the name behind the superior offerings of The Bike Playground’s first-rate facilities. Headed by international designer and mountain bike luminary Claudio Calouri, Velosolutions offers customized solutions for various cycling needs.

A top-notch facility that promotes cycling as an activity that can be enjoyed by all, the Bike Playground offers bike rentals and assistance from highly skilled coaches from the Philippine National Team. It also houses the country’s first indoor asphalt pump track, which can be used even during the rainy season. An outdoor trail and a kids’ track expands the list of spaces that can be enjoyed within the park.

The Bike Playground is located within Circulo Verde, a 10-hectare master-planned mixed-use community envisioned by its developers, Ortigas & Co., to become an active lifestyle destination. Situated in Circulo Verde, Calle Industria, Quezon City, the Bike Playground has become a favoured destination among bikers, who enjoy its range of offerings and fun events held especially for the biking community. It first opened its tracks to the public last March of 2017.

Witness world-class pump track racing in action. For more information on the Red Bull Pump

Track World Championship, visit: redbullpumptrackworldchampionship.com

To stay up to date on the latest news on the championships, follow these pages:

Instagram: @thebikeplayground @redbullpumptrackworlds

Facebook: @thebikeplayground @redbullpumptrackworlds

Twitter: @pumptrackworlds

Red Bull: @redbull @redbullbike

Velosolutions: @velosolutions_global