Set to Conquer the World Stage: The Victoria Sports Pro Cycling Team

I've never seen so much passion in the sport of cycling than during the thanksgiving event of the Victoria Sports Pro Cycling team (VSPC). I've seen them don podiums in different events, and didn't know how close they were. We found out today that their office is at Quezon City. 

These guys have been working so hard doing races locally and recent ones in Europe, trying their best in international racing circuits, making us all proud, all hoping to bring pride and honor for the Philippines.

For those who don't know, one of their members Ean Cajucom took home the championship for the Ramos Cycling Race (based in PH). At the General Classification and 2nd Stage of Oman's Tour of Salalah, their team member Nicolas Sessler copped these posts. Then Jeroen Meijer took 3rd spot on Stage 4 of the multi day road cycling race in that country. The VSPC team also took home 5th Place overall at the Trans-Himalayan Cycling Race in China versus some of the world's best too. In the land of the rising sun's OITA Urban Classic, Meijers took first place at the Road Race, while Cajucom took second spot. They also did good at the Tour de Kyushu races, much of which they consistently placed as part of the team.  

Here's our interview with them a few days ago:

You could feel their eagerness to improve their skills even at this stage. When they are doing rigorous training in Europe, they said they loved it because they get to concentrate on cycling and the sport. No question about their love for the Philippines, but they said they needed to look out for themselves here because of the traffic, buses, trucks, other motorists that become their number one concern when training. The only drawback is being away from family, friends, and loved ones. The senior members really felt like family because the little things like problems at home do become a normal occurrence in managing their members.

Former QC Mayor and House Speaker Sonny Belmonte was also there to support the cause! It was a pleasure meeting you sir!

The training they receive in EU also gets them to adapt the time tested system of training they do in that side of the world which more or less, doesn't exist in the region we belong. They will also be scouting in different weekly and monthly cycling events to seek Filipino talent that they could further develop like the champions they have in the roster. These 15 members are making the country proud, and in 2025 they promise to do even more to make sure that we as a nation achieve greater heights just like recent champions, Olympians, who have inspired the youth, and even more people to take up the sport. 

They have been fixing their calendar to participate in local tourneys plus a few more in United Arab Emirates (Dubai and elsewhere). They also have some in Spain, and other countries in Europe. This is just the start of hopefully more wins in the world stage, and we hope that more brands, corporations would continue to support their cause and bring the Philippines more wins in the professional cycling sport. 

Congratulations to the whole Victoria Sports Pro Cycling (VSPC) team which includes Carlos Francisco Ochoa, Marcelo Felipe, Ean Cajucom, Alexis Pagara, Nicolas Sessier, Ismael Grospe Jr., Daniel Ven Carino, Edson Carbadora, Miguel Andrei Obmerga, Nichol Pareja, Kenneth Maramba, Jeroen Meijers, Edgar Nieto and more, please continue to do the Philippines and your pro team proud!

Congratulations VSPC! Here's to more victories for the country soon!

Sendwave Taps OGIE ALCASID: An Affordable Way to Send Money Home

The Philippines is home to 2.16 Million OFW's (Overseas Filipino Workers according to latest statistics), and in so many instances, they need to send money home to help with family, friends, and other reasons. Going through banks and other entities cost so high, and of course, every cent counts with your hard earned money. International Money Transfer service provider Sendwave presents a very affordable option. If you are in one of the countries they serve, sending money to your loved ones will become simple, secured, and fast. This is something that is needed, an essential for family or OFW's so when they wanted someone to represent them in the country and the community, they tapped the good looking singer, songwriter, OPM icon, OGIE ALCASID. They introduced him to the press, and told us the reasons why he was the perfect person to send what they want to communicate:

Ogie says "It's important for Filipinos to send money home that's simple, affordable and without transfer fees. You know, the values of this company and mine as a father, husband is the same. We wake every day for our families, and they take care of hard earned money from abroad to the Philippines with ease, with trust that it will reach the person intended to, it is our connection to our family. We do concerts in other parts of the world and OFW's are an integral part of it. I hope in some way, we could get the message across that there is a way to save while sending money home."

Ms. Janice, the Global Brand Lead for Sendwave says "We are an online money remittance app, designed for OFW's and we champion them. We focus on simple, easy and convenient ways to send money from abroad to the Philippines (or any participating country) and made it affordable. Sendwave has no transfer fees, we stretch the value of the money that they send to their families here at home. We are present in the US, Canada, UK and parts of Europe. If you have OFW friends or family, please tell them to download the app and use the service. Try Sendwave!".

 

Ogie was so happy and honored to be able to represent them. Being part of the Sendwave family he deems is important because OFW's spend years in other countries, but want to make sure they stay connected and felt when help is needed in the Philippines. He also knows how hard it was to work abroad because he's been able to talk to them in performances abroad. They need to make sure that the money they send would be secured, easy to do and affordable.  .

Ogie adds "Why do we work? What are the reasons to wake up in the morning? The reasons to send money home is a lot, this app assures your savings would get to the recipient. As a singer, I've entertained them through concerts in different countries. When I talk to people, they are mostly OFW's, it's not easy to market something like this, but it is important. I just signed with them, and perhaps soon, there will be Sendwave in Australia and I'd get to send money to Regine if needed."

They now have bonus additional money to give out too when you first try the service (10 dollars) aside from the amount you send. There are no transfer fees, so that is free. They just want you to experience it. It's not intended for receivers, but designed from senders from abroad. You don't need to be a member here in the Philippines to receive the money, they just tie up their cards and send it to whatever bank or GCash account the recipient has and get it, it's that easy!

There are limits, dependent on banks abroad and the receiving bank/app in the country because some of them have limits too. It already is being used by 2 Million users, and the plan is to include more people to benefit from it. They have plans to take Ogie to other countries where Filipinos are. Although Ogie already is doing that, he says "The fact that I'd be reaching a lot of audiences this year and next year, we have a lot of people to help. It's most welcome, to be able to sing and help our kababayans. We are partners with TFC, and events may be through that. It's part of their future plans. I'm excited, when I learned about this, at the shoot, it was happy there. It's not easy to do but I'm excited and happy with what we made in just a few days. When you do it with fun, with excited people, it's a breeze. You will receive the amount automatically converted to peso and what you see with the conversion is what they person will get in full."

The company earns through foreign exchange and if you see that their rates are better, you should use Sendwave. Congratulations to Sir Ogie Alcasid, it's so refreshing to see you excited to help more people with this recent partnership. If you can send money home for free, you should take advantage!

HONOR Comes Back with Dual Flagship Plans in EU and PH Regions

Their testing lab, devices, Tony Rahn (left) and CEO George Zhao

Looks like smartphone brand HONOR is making a huge comeback in the Philippines. 

In previous weeks, they announced 2 devices at IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung) which is EU's largest tech event. During the brand's keynote speech, CEO George Zhao puts importance on device interoperability. If you're using a smartphone, tablet, PC or wearables, you'll get a solution from them which includes HONOR Smart Life products too.

He says "Honor is committed to have products that are designed to empower you, and go beyond your potential and give you the freedom to do more."

Recent information states they will have dual flagship devices, but what was released is the Honor 70, Honor Pad 8, MagicBook 14.

They also reiterated plans in the near future for the Philippines, the EU region and how they will do a connected future during the IFA 2022. These are exciting times especially for those expecting handsets that are capable of having Google Play services, something they couldn't do with their mother brand.