PLDT HOME Ultera presents Spin.PH’s Sportsman of the Year 2015

Press Release

Recognized for his unmatched contribution to Philippine basketball

is none other than PLDT Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan.

MANILA – Sports personalities and enthusiasts rang in the new year with the recent 2015 Sportsman of the Year awarding ceremony at Marriott Hotel Manila. Organized by Sports Interactive Network (Spin.ph), the country’s first standalone sports website, Sportsman of the Year is an award-giving body that honors Filipino athletes who have shown exemplary performance in the field of sports.

Now in its third year, the renowned event was presented by no less than PLDT HOME Ultera, the Ultra-Fast LTE for a Happy Connected Family. “Sportsman of the Year celebrates sports excellence in the country, which is exactly what PLDT HOME Ultera’s advocacy is about,” PLDT VP and HOME Marketing Director Gary Dujali said. “We want to inspire the youth to develop their talents and passion and to create a strong impact in the Philippine sports scene, just like their heroes.”

Calvin “The Beast” Abueva is the third Sportsman of the Year titleholder.

The award line-up comprised the Top 10 Sports Heroes who stood out in their respective sports, as selected by SPIN.ph’s team of editors, reporters and columnists. On top of this, the Sportsman of the Year title was awarded to none other than Calvin Abueva of Alaska Aces, making him the third titleholder following Jimmy Alapag in 2014 and Coach Chot Reyes in 2013.

PLDT HOME Ultera ambassador Alyssa Valdez takes home the prestigious award

honoring the Top Sportsman who changed the game in 2015.

Graced by awardees, sports personalities, sports press, advertisers and partners, the 2015 Sportsman of the Year awarding ceremony is among the projects highly supported by PLDT HOME Ultera as part of its sports advocacy. In line with its ongoing mission to promote volleyball to young athletes at the grassroots level, PLDT HOME Ultera is also presenting the upcoming UAAP Women’s Volleyball Season 78 this January.

For more information, visit www.spin.ph, like spin.philippines on Facebook or follow @spinph on Twitter.

PLDT HOME Ultera delivers Ultra-Fast LTE for a Happy Connected Family with Internet speeds of up to 10 Mbps. Plans start at P999 a month. Log on to pldthome.com/ultera for more ultra-fun offers.

Close to 7,000 runners dash for a cause at the McHappy Day Stripes Run 2015

Press Release

It’s the biggest McHappy Day Stripes Run yet as this year’s Davao and Manila fun runs gather close to 7,000 participants in support of helping kids learn how to read.  

Last December 5, McDonald's gathered close to 4,000 runners at Bonifacio Global City to run for a cause at the McHappy Day Stripes Run 2015. This year, McDonald's lined up fun race categories for every member of the family, exciting surprises and various fun fair activities.

The annual McHappy Day Stripes Run is McDonald’s Philippines’ fundraising event in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities’ flagship program, Ronald McDonald Read To Learn. The program, in partnership with the Department of Education, aims to help Grade 1 and 2 public school students from all over the country learn how to read. Beneficiaries of Ronald McDonald Read to Learn are provided with a set of big books and training for teachers who will facilitate the program.

With proceeds from the run in Manila and Davao held last November 28, McDonald's has raised over 2 million pesos to share the wonderful gift of reading to more kids nationwide. Since it began in 2002, the program has helped over 11.5 million kids in the 7,500 partnership schools.

"McDonald's has always had a special spot for children. We know the best way to make a difference in their lives is to help them learn how to read and have a chance for a better future. Through initiatives like the McHappy Day Stripes Run, McDonald's is able to open opportunities for families to help while having fun." said Kenneth Yang, McDonald's Philippines President and CEO.

Making this year’s McHappy Day Stripes Run more memorable was the support of McDonald’s brand ambassadors Alden Richards, Enrique Gil, Xian Lim, Matteo Guidicelli, Luis Manzano, Toni and Alex Gonzaga, Jeron Teng and Alonzo Muhlach. Other celebrities who showed their stripes in support of the Ronald McDonald Read to Learn Program include, Tim Yap, Mike Tan, Pancho Magno, Rich Asuncion, Ryza Cenon, Kristoffer Martin, Martin del Rosario, Joyce Ching, Derrick Monasterio, and Julian Trono.

Share your photos of the McHappy Day Stripes Run by using the hashtag #McDoStripesRun and tag @McDo_PH on Twitter and Instagram. 

Sun Piology Run 2015

SunPiology Run 2015

November 28, 2015

4:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Mckinley West, Fort Bonifacio

Registration Details

• Online
• October 12 to November 15, 2015
• www.sunpiology.com
• In Store
• October 19 to November 22, 2015
• RUNNR (BHS and Trinoma)
• Toby's (Robinson's Galleria and Mall of Asia)

Finisher's Medal

Race Routes

Race For Life 2015

Race For Life 2015

November 30, 2015

3:00 AM to 9:30 AM

SM Mall of Asia

Registration Details

• Online
• www.runrio.com
• www.igivetolife.com/race
• September 14 to November 15, 2015
• In Store
• October 10 to November 6, 2015
• Toby's (Robinson's Galleria, Mall of Asia, Robinson's Metro East and SM Manila)
• RUNNR (BHS, ATC and Trinoma)
• Garmin Store (Glorietta 5)

Assembly and Gun Times

Race Routes

Every runner who registers gets a free Race For LIFE 2015 shirt with timing chip, discount stubs attached to the bib, and a chance to win some prizes. But the biggest prize of all is that you get the chance to help send a poor and underprivileged young person to school.

What Brands are Filipinos Buying Online?

Press Release

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Brands have become an essential consideration in making purchase decisions. Lazada- the Philippines’ One-Stop Shopping and Selling Destination is no stranger in understanding consumer behaviour towards brands specifically in the online retail space. In a study conducted by Lazada on which brands Filipinos buy online, Penshoppe, ASUS, and Cherry Mobile showed strong affinity with online shoppers evidenced by local Google search results as well as search and sales within the Lazada website and mobile app. Camera brand Canon and power tool brand Bosch remains to be popular among consumers aged 55 and above. The rest of the findings are illustrated in the infograph as below.

Lazada through its Marketplace Platform, works in partnership with the biggest local and international brands to provide Filipinos with a large assortment of products across electronics and lifestyle categories. "The number of consumers looking to buy beauty products online is increasing, so partnering with Lazada seemed to be the best way to expand into the online shopping space,” says Khristine Santos, Customer Development Manager of Belo Essentials.  “We regard Lazada as the most trusted e-commerce company in the Philippines and as a consumer brand, consumer trust is very important for us to grow. It allows us to easily track results and we are able to develop a better understanding of our online market,” Santos of Belo Essentials added. 

Mr. William Go, Country Sales Director of Bosch, Inc., the global brand specializing on power tools and home improvement equipment regards Lazada as “the biggest e-commerce and now one of the fastest growing distribution channels of Bosch Power Tools. With its [Lazada’s] wide range of customer reach, attractive promotions, product assortment and availability, it has managed to cater effectively and successfully to the needs and wants of customers all over the country. It is now one of the most trusted online dealers carrying the number one power tool brand globally in Bosch power tools.”

This September 15-17, Lazada, together with its brand partners, is staging its first Brands and Sellers’ Showroom (www.lazada.com.ph/brands-and-sellers-showroom) - offering exclusive discounts of as much as 80% on select bestselling items across all categories- both available on desktop and in the Lazada Mobile App.

The Brand and Sellers’ Showroom aims to showcase Lazada’s most-loved brands at their best prices. Participating also in the Brand and Sellers’ Showroom is Alcatel where the Alcatel Flash Plus will be holding its last sale of the Alcatel Flash Plus at PhP 6490.

Save the Date - SunPiology Run 2015

Sofitel Manila Half Marathon 2015

Sofitel Manila Half Marathon

August 16, 2015

SM Mall of Asia

5km/10km/21km

Registration Details

•ONLINE (via www.runrio.com)

June 23  – August 2

*Start of online delivery: July 23

•IN-STORE

  July 20 - August 9

Assembly Times and Gun Start

Singlet Design

Finishers' Shirt Design

Finishers' Medal Design

Race Routes

Subaru Marathon

Subaru Marathon

September 13, 2015

SM Mall of Asia

5km/10km/21km/42km

Registration Details

Assembly Time and Gun Start

Singlet Design

Race Route

Cobra Ironman 70.3 holds year 2 of Send-Off Expo

Press Release

(Manila, Philippines) For most people, the half-year point is the time to reassess the achievements of the last six months. But for the swim-bike-run community, it’s a time to brace themselves for the most grueling and most cutthroat triathlon race in the country. The 1.9K swim, 90K bike, and 21K run is back this July 30 to August 2 in its three-time location, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

The 2015 Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines is set to test once more how far the mind, body, and spirit can take the world’s top athletes and sports enthusiasts to the finish line. To further ignite the fueling power to win, Cobra Energy Drink, Ironman’s 70.3 Philippines’ biggest partner for 6 years, holds its second year of the Send-Off Expo for the race’s vying triathletes.

After the successful turnout last 2014, this year’s Cobra Ironman 70.3 Send-Off Expo, led by Sunrise Events Inc., will ensure triathlete contenders are equipped with the physical and psychological tools to perform at their peak on race day. From July 3 to 5 at the SMX Hall 2 of SM Aura, the three-day expo will be filled with race-preparation seminars focused on nutrition, optimization of performance, and specific topics centered on swim, bike, and run from esteemed triathlon trainers and speakers such as Mathieu O’Halloran, Chris Allison, Ige Lopez, Glenn Colendrino, Ani De Leon-Brown, and Dr. Martin Camara, DC.

Moreover, Cobra Energy Drink salutes all triathletes living the ‘Gusto Ko Pa’ lifestyle by having Prateek Juneja, Senior Market Development Manager from DSM Nutritional Products Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd, Cobra’s supplier of pharma-grade vitamins, as guest speaker to talk about “Raising The Bar with Performance Hydration.” The complete program of the expo can be viewed at Cobra-Ironman Philippines Facebook page.

All Cobra Ironman 70.3 contenders and budding triathletes are welcome to join the expo and the race-preparation seminars. There will also be exhibit booths from Garmin, Asics, Newton, Rudy Project, Timex, Yurbuds, Vision, and other more brands.

SOFITEL PHILIPPINE PLAZA MANILA CELEBRATES WELLNESS WITH THE 2015 MANILA HALF MARATHON

Press Release

Manila, 23 June 2015 – Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila cultivates a lifestyle of wellness as it holds the 2015 Sofitel Manila Half Marathon. First held in August 2014 in partnership between the only 5-star luxury resort hotel and premier running event organizer, RunRio led by Coach Rio de la Cruz, the Sofitel Manila Half Marathon is a hub for runners and wellness enthusiasts uniting in an effort to support the children of the Virlanie Foundation.

“Over 4,500 runners joined us in last year’s Sofitel Manila Half Marathon. The event aims to bring us at level with similar international runs such as the Singapore Marathon. More importantly, the Sofitel Manila Half Marathon is an event with heart as the collaboration with RunRio and our featured partners are to support and uplift the lives of the street children of Manila through the Virlanie Foundation,” shares General Manager, Adam Laker.

The 2015 Sofitel Manila Half Marathon will feature 3 categories at 5K, 10K and 21K to be held at the Mall of Asia Grounds. The marathon takes runners through a panoramic view of the bay area showcasing the scenic surrounds and promoting a green lifestyle encouraging runners to bring water bottles for refilling at designated hydration stations, minimizing the use of paper and plastic cups.
“With the Sofitel Manila Half Marathon, we hope to create a bigger platform and be among the world’s most popular running events attracting both amateur and professional runners. This marathon is dedicated to the children of the Virlanie Foundation as we strive to make a difference in the lives of the children of Manila,” shares Coach Rio de la Cruz.



Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila and RunRio invite you to be part of the movement. Online registration commences on June 23, 2015 and in-store registration shall start on July 20, 2015 at Toby’s Mall of Asia, Toby’s Robinson’s Galleria, Toby’s Trinoma and Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila. Log on to www.runrio.com for more information on a truly exciting and meaningful race.
Registration fees for the available categories are at Php750 for 5K, Php850 for the 10K and Php950 for the 21K. All participants shall receive event race bibs, singlet and finishers’ loot bag. Runners on the 21K category will also receive a finisher’s shirt and medal. An assortment of cash and lifestyle prizes are in store for some of our top running enthusiasts.

This event is co-presented by the Philippine National Bank and Cebu Pacific GetGo. The Sofitel Manila Half Marathon is made possible by the following sponsors: Gatorade, Timex, Salonpas, Subaru, Althaus Philippines, Star Xpo Enterprises, Delsan Office Systems, The Real Deal Company, The Cream Factory, Certified Calm, Kleen Kanteen, Toesox and TFC & Saforelle. Media partners include: ANC The ABS-CBN News Channel, AXN and Sony Channels, Businessworld, Fox International Channels, Philippine Daily Inquirer and The Philippine Star.

For more information, please call +63-2 463 4813 to 14 or email feedback@runrio.com.

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