Tag: Davao

At least 4 more airports expected to be privatized in 2025

At least 4 more airports expected to be privatized in 2025

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Recently the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced that at least four more airports are expected to be privatized in 2025, according to a BusinessWorld news report. Clearly the recent privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) sparked a wave of change with regards to air travel and the need to modernize airports.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from BusinessWorld report. Some parts in boldface…

AT LEAST four more Philippine airports in the countryside are expected to be privatized in 2025, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) said last week.

“For next year, we have Iloilo, Puerto Princesa and Kalibo [airports],” Transportation Undersecretary Roberto C.O. Lim told reporters on the sidelines of an aviation forum. “We have ongoing negotiations with the proponents.”

The agency also expects to launch the competitive tender for the Davao International Airport under a public-private partnership (PPP) program.

Villar-led Prime Asset Ventures, Inc. holds the original proponent status for both P14.7-billion Iloilo International Airport and P10.24-billion Puerto Princesa International Airport, according to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center website.

Meanwhile, Mega7 Construction Corp. has submitted an unsolicited proposal to operate, upgrade and maintain the P3.62-billion Kalibo International Airport.

Mr. Lim said the government expects to award the contract for the operations and maintenance of New Bohol-Panglao International Airport this year. The contract is undergoing a Swiss challenge, which allows other companies to submit alternative proposals that the original proponent can match.

In September, the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group got the contract for the operations and maintenance of the P12.75-billion Laguindingan International Airport in Northern Mindanao.

Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. is expected to sign the contract this month, the Transportation department said, adding that the new private operator would take over operations by next year.

The same company also holds the original proponent status for the operations and maintenance of the P4.5-billion Bohol airport.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you approve of having more airports nationwide to get privatized? Do you have any concerns about the private entities mentioned in the report that want to privatize the other airports?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Additional coin deposit machines installed by BSP in shopping malls

Additional coin deposit machines installed by BSP in shopping malls

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The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recently installed more coin deposit machines particularly in shopping malls which will give people more opportunities to put their idle or excessive Peso coins to use, according to a BusinessWorld news report. As of the end of September 2023, almost P100 million worth of coins have been deposited since the BSP launched their coin deposit machines project.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessWorld news report. Some parts in boldface…

CONSUMERS have deposited P98.8 million worth of currency into the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) coin deposit machines (CoDMs) as of end-September or just three months after their rollout in June.

This is equivalent to 37.2 million pieces of coins from over 37,000 transactions, the BSP said in a statement. The highest single transaction recorded on the machines so far was worth P100,260.

“With more CoDMs installed in various retail establishments, the BSP expects wider public use that will lead to more efficient coin recirculation in the country,” the central bank said.

The BSP has completed its goal of deploying 25 coin deposit machine units across Metro Manila and other nearby provinces. The central bank began deploying CoDM units in June in partnership with Filinvest Lifemalls Corp., Robinsons Supermarket Corp., and SM Retail, Inc.

BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat told reporters on Wednesday that the central bank is looking to roll out more machines across the country, adding that the BSP has been asked to set up some in Cebu, Davao, Pampanga, and Baguio.

“Right now, we are just assessing [the existing machines]. We’re talking to the provider how to make the machines better because the machines are usually jammed,” she said in mixed English and Filipino.

The machines can get stuck if the coins deposited are taped or bundled or if a consumer deposits foreign objects such as nails, tokens, and screws, she said.

“The ideal is when we deploy coin deposit machines, it would be stand-alone,” Ms. Romulo-Puyat said. “Now, the machines need technical assistance all the time.”

The demand for coin deposit machines has been higher than expected, with people lining up to deposit coins, she added.

“People have warmed up to it. The mere fact that people are asking when the BSP will deploy units in their area means people are looking for it,” she added.

The BSP has installed coin deposit machines in SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, SM City Grand Central in Caloocan, SM City Marilao in Bulacan, SM City Taytay Rizal, SM Hypermarket FTI in Taguig City, SM Southmall in Las Piñas City, SM City Sucat in Parañaque, SM City Calamba, SM City Marikina, SM City San Mateo Rizal, SM City Valenzuela, Robinsons Place Metro East in Pasig City, Robinsons Place Antipolo City, Rizal, Robinsons Place Novaliches and Robinsons Place Magnolia, Quezon City.

The value of coins deposited in CoDMs may be credited to the depositor’s e-wallet account or converted into a shopping voucher for over-the-counter transactions. Customers depositing coins can credit the equivalent amount to their GCash or Maya e-wallets.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If there is a BSP coin deposit machine in your city, were you able to visit and deposit your coins? When was the last time you stored your coins in containers?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

It’s a silver medal won by Nesthy Petecio for the Philippines at the Tokyo Olympics!

It’s a silver medal won by Nesthy Petecio for the Philippines at the Tokyo Olympics!

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Like the late Philippine boxer Anthony Villanueva, Nesthy Petecio will bring back home an Olympic silver medal (thank the Lord for another medal for the nation) now that the finals of the women’s featherweight (54-57kg) division is over. Yesterday, Petecio did her best in the quest for another Olympic gold medal as she fought with Japan’s Sena Irie resulting a loss by means of a unanimous decision.

Regardless, Petecio has been congratulated by many in the Philippines and her silver medal finish is still highly significant as it boosted the nation in the Olympic medal rankings (now 1 gold and 1 silver). Her also achievement brings back memories of Anthony Villanueva who, like her, settled for the silver medal in the same sport (specifically men’s featherweight division) in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. Villanueva lost to the Soviet Union’s Stanislav Stepashkin in the final match.

To put things in perspective about the Petecio-Irie fight, posted below is the excerpt from the GMA Network sports news report. Some parts in boldface…

A gallant Nesthy Petecio fell short as she settled for a silver medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after bowing to hometown bet Sena Irie of Japan in the final round of the women’s featherweight division Tuesday at the Kokugikan Arena.

The 29-year-old pug struggled to connect in the first round as Irie, who is nine years younger than the FIlipina fighter, utilized an effective clinch game to slow Petecio’s offense. The Japanese boxer got the nod of all five judges, 10-9.

But Petecio battled back in the second round as she broke free to landed some strong punches to secure a 4-1 scorecard and brought the bout to a decision in the last round.

In the crucial third round, Irie was able continued to be effective in grabbing and holding Petecio, though the Filipina was able to launch some power shots.

All five judges saw the round in favor of the Japanese fighter, though, as she won 5-0 to clinch the gold medal.

Irie is a very familiar face to Petecio.

She denied the Filipino boxer an outright Olympic berth when they met in the Asia and Oceania Olympic Boxing Qualifiers last March 2020.

Petecio needed to wait for a few more months before formalizing her Tokyo entry after a decision to give her the slot was made by the International Olympic Committee Boxing Task Force (IOC-BTF) early this year.

The feat also allowed Petecio to match what the last Filipino Olympic boxing medalist, Onyok Velasco, accomplished in the 1996 Atlanta Games, where he won a silver medal.

Despite the loss, it was still an inspiring campaign for the gritty Petecio.

She has opened up about her battle with mental health issues before bouncing back strong in her recent outings.

In a heartfelt interview on Stand For Truth, Petecio revealed she had to overcome depression after a discouraging loss in the 2018 Asian Games, which had her questioning her place in the sport.

But displaying true fighting spirit, the Davao-born boxer returned and captured gold in both the 2019 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championship and the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

As you can see in the above report, Petecio went through lots of challenges behind the scenes and fortunately for the Philippines, she made it to the Olympics in Japan and defeated all the opponents which led her (and the nation) in the finals of her weight division.

Considering all what she went through, the Olympic silver medal finish is still highly significant for the Philippines and it proves that the nation is indeed improving globally in sports while also making its place in 21st century Olympic history look even better. Adding more good news here is the fact that the Philippine hunt for gold in the Olympics is not yet over.

Unsurprisingly, Petecio will be rewarded deservingly. According to a Manila Bulletin news report, the silver medalist is entitled to a P5 million incentive from the national government in accordance to Republic Act Number 10699 (RA10699) and more from the private sector. Even before her final match took place, the private company Ovialand announced it is committed to granting Petecio one house-and-lot unit located in Caliya, Candelaria. The property is worth P2.5 million.

For those of you based in the Philippines reading this, do your part congratulating and thanking Petecio for winning Olympic honors for the Philippines. Also be sure to thank our Heavenly Father for this blessing for the country.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are based in the Philippines, what is your reaction to Petecio taking home the Olympic silver medal? If you saw the fight on TV, do you think the judges were correct in scoring the boxing match?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

Muntinlupa City named 5th Most Competitive City among Highly Urbanized Cities as per CMCI 2020 rankings

Muntinlupa City named 5th Most Competitive City among Highly Urbanized Cities as per CMCI 2020 rankings

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Muntinlupa City now ranks 5th among Highly Urbanized Cities in the Philippines, three notches higher than its previous ranking, based on the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) 2020 Rankings released during the 8th Regional Competitiveness Virtual Summit this past December 16.

CMCI is an annual ranking of Philippine cities and municipalities developed by the Department of Trade and Industry and National Competitiveness Council with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development.

Muntinlupa was adjudged Top 5 Most Competitive City among HUC’s in the country following the cities of Makati (Top 4), Pasay (Top 3), Davao (Top 2), and Manila (Top 1). The city previously ranked 8th in the 2019 Overall Competitiveness Index and 10th place in 2018. Local government units in the country were ranked on four convergent pillars namely Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, and Resilience.

The National Competitiveness Council has named Muntinlupa City as Rank 1 in the Resilience Pillar – HUC category this year besting at least 145 cities in the country. Finalists in the category include Valenzuela City (Rank 2) and Manila City (Rank 3).

The city has also moved one step higher from the previous year in Government Efficiency and Infrastructure pillars both from Rank 7 to Rank 6.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi attributed the recognition to the local government’s thrust in streamlining disaster resilience in development planning and improving the local government’s processes and transaction procedures. The local exec thanked the NCC for the award and said that it will serve as an inspiration to bring better services in the city.

“Being in the Top 5 of Overall Competitive Cities is a testament that the City Government is in the right track in fostering good governance and providing more effective programs for Muntinlupeños,” Fresnedi said.

The National Competitiveness Council was organized through Executive Order No. 44 which aims to promote a more competitive Philippines and instill a culture of excellence, through public-private sector collaboration as means to reduce poverty through inclusive growth.

Cities and municipalities are ranked on their competitiveness based on an overall competitiveness score. Scores are determined by the values of the actual data, as well as the completeness of the submitted data submitted by local government units.

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The above information and images were provided by the City Government of Muntinlupa for the purpose of public information and transparency. Some parts were edited for this website.

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Cyberzone Mobile Fest 2019 at SM City BF Parañaque a Success

Cyberzone Mobile Fest 2019 at SM City BF Parañaque a Success

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Cyberzone Mobile Fest 2019 at SM City BF Parañaque a Success

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The Cyberzone Mobile Fest 2019 at the Atrium of the mall.

This past weekend at SM City BF Parañaque, the Cyberzone Mobile Fest 2019 held at the Atrium turned out a successful event filled with excitement and surprise that delighted both attendees and the spectators.

The event started on Friday (June 22) with technology event partners Huawei, Smart, Samsung, Real Me, Xiaomi, Vivo and Power Mac Center each having their own booths showcasing their latest products and services to customers who passed by.

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The 2019 Mobile Legends tournament.

The excitement really ramped up the following day (June 23) as the highly anticipated Mobile Legends Tournament took place. Right from the start, many players (predominantly males) lined up to register themselves and eagerly waited. Once the tournament started, the action and excitement really made the Cyberzone Mobile Fest 2019 more energetic. As the competitors focused on their smartphones, action of the 2019 Mobile Legends Tournament were displayed on the large screen which was nicely spiced up by the two tournament commentators. There were bouts of cheers and awe in between. By the evening, the tournament was won by Avalance which received P5,000 as the grand winner.

Next to them were KZTL at 2nd place and Fantasy Sports at 3rd place. They received P3,000 and P2,000 respectively.

Grand Champion Avalanche
2019 Mobile Legends tournament grand champion Avalanche.

2nd Place KTZL
Team KZTL won 2nd place.

3rd Place Esports Fantasy
3rd placer was team Fantasy Sports.

Along the way, special programs took place. The event organizers formally unveiled the brand new and more modern looking logo of Cyberzone which wowed the audience.

 

Cyberzone
The new logo.

For the newcomers reading this, Cyberzone is the largest chain of IT retail stores in the Philippines. Aside from holding the biggest I.T. fairs, gaming events, and social networking engagements; Cyberzone is known for its notable product mix and quality.

Back to the event, a digital quiz took place as well as fun tech talks. A raffle draw was held and after several attempts of calling out the names of the winner, it was Joie Reyes who was called and she made her way to the stage to claim the Realme 3 smartphone. Being physically present is a requirement to claim the raffle prize.

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Very lucky raffle prize winner Joie Reyes with her Realme 3 smartphone. With her were Cyberzone marketing officer Shaquiel Segarra and SM City BF Paranaque’s Inah Bunyi.

One of the major partners of the event, Huawei, had its officer named Elton present the company’s achievements and vision for the world of technology. He announced that Huawei’s smartphone shipment surpassed 206 million in 2018 alone and that the company ensured that each unit is designed to give users full functionality, the best digital photography capability and enduring battery life.

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Huawei’s Elton gave an in-depth presentation of the company’s technology strategy.

Huawei was not limited to smartphones. Its business is quite diverse as its non-smartphone product shipments in 2018 exceeded the 100,000,000 mark. The figure includes tablets, laptops, watches and accessories. Huawei also strives to create more value through the innovative “1+8+N” all-scenario intelligent product ecosystem. From smartphones to cars and to home appliances, the company has a strategy to give a wide variety of users the means to enhance their lifestyles through technology.

For the future, Huawei is leading the next phase of the 5G innovation with the Balong 5000 which is the most powerful 5G modem in the world. It contains the world’s first chipset to support both NSA and SA architectures, the world’s fastest peak downlink speed of 4.6 gigabytes per second and uplink speed of 2.5 gigabytes per second, and the world’s first R14 V2X on 5G chipset.

Overall, the Cyberzone Mobile Fest 2019 at SM City BF Parañaque was a tremendously successful event that had fun, excitement and enlightenment brought together at the Atrium with a strong emphasis on technology. Cyberzone meanwhile will remain a very significant commercial chain for anyone around the nation looking for the latest in technology.

The Cyberzone Mobile Fest 2019 will continue in the following SM malls: Cebu (June 28-30), Sucat (July 5-7), Davao (July 12-14), Legazpi (July 19-21), and North EDSA (July 26-28).

For more information, visit http://www.smsupermalls.com.

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. Also my fantasy book The World of Havenor is still available in paperback and e-book format. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

 

 

Cyberzone Mobile Fest 2019 at SM City BF Parañaque This Weekend!

Cyberzone Mobile Fest 2019 at SM City BF Parañaque This Weekend!

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Hi readers! If you love technology, you live here in South Metro Manila and you are looking for a special event to attend, then you should attend the Cyberzone Mobile Fest 2019 at SM City BF Parañaque along Dr. A. Santos Avenue, Parañaque City this weekend (June 21 to 23).

Prepare yourselves for the much-awaited annual showcase of the country’s latest and most affordable smartphones at the Cyberzone Mobile Fest 2019 in partnership with Huawei and Smart at the Atrium of the mall.

There is a lot learning you can gain from the top influencers on the latest in technology and you can get a chance to win exciting giveaways from event partners Vivo, Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, Power Mac Center, Huawei and Smart. Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect at the event which has the following activities.

Digital Quiz. Test your tech knowledge and take a digital tech quiz for a chance to win a brand new smartphone! Promo will run every weekend per event leg so keep visiting Cyberzone Mobile Fest 2019 for more chances of winning!

Fun Tech Talks. Enrich your knowledge about mobile trends through exclusive brand talks and workshops from top influencers.

Mobile Legends Tournament. What better way to spend time than with tech-minded friends? Gather your squad to compete in the mobile legends tournament for a chance to win more prizes!

Special Deals. Enjoy awesome finds and eye-popping discounts — from phone accessories to mobile devices — from leading mobile brands.

The Cyberzone Mobile Fest 2019 will continue in the following SM malls: Cebu (June 28-30), Sucat (July 5-7), Davao (July 12-14), Legazpi (July 19-21), and North EDSA (July 26-28).
No matter what your tech interest is, whether it is gaming, virtual reality, cosplay, or photography, there is something to discover and enjoy at the Cyberzone! For more information, visit http://www.smsupermalls.com.

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. Also my fantasy book The World of Havenor is still available in paperback and e-book format. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me as well. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me at HavenorFantasy@twitter.com

 

 

 

Chicano and Kilgroe top NAGT triathlon in Subic Bay

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Chicano and Kilgroe top NAGT triathlon in Subic Bay

Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Philippines – January 27, 2019 – 2017 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) silver medalist John Chicano and 2018 Asian Games veteran Kim Kilgroe of the Philippine triathlon team emerged victorious in the National Age-Group Triathlon (NAGT) 2019 series opener held at San Bernardino inside Subic Bay Freeport this morning.

In the Men’s Elite competition of the race organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Tourism Department which attracted a record field of 731 entries, the first out of the 1.5 Km swim were JC Abad, Andrew Kim Remolino followed by 21-year-old Filipino-Spanish triathlete Fer Casares (from Madrid) who is in the country aspiring to be selected in the Philippine team. Chicano, who was only 4th in the swim leg, breezed through the first transition to catch up with lead pack in the windy 40 Km bike leg. Chicano and Casares entered the second transition together and battled toe to toe in the 10 Km run leg which saw Chicano broke away during the final two kilometers to win the gold with a time of 1:58:47. Casares finished 2nd with 2:00:01 and 2018 national junior Andrew Kim Remolino of Cebu with 2:02:12.

On the Women’s Elite competition in the event sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Gatorade, Standard Insurance, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines and the SBMA, Kim Kilgroe led from start to finish in the absences of SEA Games gold and silver medalists Kim Mangrobang who is in Portugal training, and Claire Adorna who is attending to a family commitment. Kilgroe finished first with 2:14:57 followed by come-backing Alexandra Ganzon 2:25:56 and Jacqui Lamparero with 2:30:32.

The Junior Elite Men Sprint Distance ((750 M swim – 20 Km bike – 5 Km run) saw Tonito Alejo (1:17:19) as champion followed with Jacob Taylor (1:17:55) and Juan Baniqued (1:18:37). In the Junior Elite Women, Karen Manayon (1:26:59) won the gold. She was followed by Lauren Plaza (1:29:26) and Erica Bulatao (1:35:01).

Standard Distance age-group champions: Kris Dinglasan (19-24), Heinrich Gasacao (25-29), Jhon Quinones (30-34), Ronald Mulit and Ines Santiago (35-39), Jualyn Asugbog and Mary Grace Ollindo (40-44), Abe Tayag and Vanj Endaya (45-49), Celma Hitalia (Female 50-above), Neil Ong (50-54), Dean Recupero (55-59) and Roman Totanes (60-above).

Sprint Distance age-group champions: Mykelle Bulog and Clifford Pusing (16-19), Jess Belonio and Janina Garcia (20-29), Carlo Mejia and Jilliane Caancan (30-39), George Vilog and Ma. Victoria Fereria (40-49) and Peter Gonzales and An Ping Cua (50-above). Super Sprint Distance champions were La Union Bull Sharks team members Ronel Victor Cruz and Lady Samantha Corpuz (13-15). The Team Relay competition was won by E-Racing Multisport. All participants had difficulty in the bike leg of the race due to strong headwinds.

Complete race results can be viewed at Triathlon.org.ph and at TRAP’s Facebook page.

First established in 2001, the National Age-Group Triathlon series serves as TRAP’s main development and recruitment program from the grassroots level. The future events of the series will be held in Cebu, Dipolog City, Roxas City and Cagayan de Oro.