Team 7-Eleven Philippines Triumphs at Amazing Thailand Pattaya Marathon 2023

Team 7-Eleven Philippines runners pose for a souvenir photo at the Suvarnabhumi Aiport in Thailand before flying back home on Monday, 24th July 2023.

MANILA – In a remarkable display of grit and determination, Team 7-Eleven Philippines took on the daunting challenge of the Amazing Thailand Pattaya Marathon 2023, which concluded amidst relentless rain and fierce competition. Despite these formidable obstacles, the team’s resilience shone through, with an impressive 13 out of 18 runners securing top honors in the overall and age group categories.

Leading the team to the 21km Female podium’s second spot was Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist, Christine Hallasgo, with a time of 1:21:34, finishing 27 seconds behind the top finisher, Ethiopia’s Gebyehu Adbaru. Thailand’s Ornanong Wongsorn (1:26:09) and Laos’ Lodkeo Inthakoumman (1:28:08) took the third and fourth spots, respectively. Meanwhile, regular Team 7-Eleven Philippines qualifier, Nhea Ann Barcena, finished fifth at 1:29:06.

In the Male division also of the half marathon, another SEA Games athlete and regular Team 7-Eleven Philippines qualifier, Richard Salaño, grabbed the third podium spot with a time of 1:12:04. He finished behind Kenyan John Muiruri (1:09:40) and Thailand’s Sanchia Namkhet (1:09:51). Teammate Prince Joey Lee secured the fifth spot with a time of 1:13:02, just 16 seconds behind Ethiopian Kebede Aberra Dinke who finished fourth (1:12:46).

First-time team qualifier, James Kevin Cruz, was the lone Filipino runner who landed in the Top 5 Overall spot of the full marathon, finishing at 2:45:55 to settle for fifth place. Cruz came in behind the top four finishers Bililign Yimer (2:22:27), Ebisa Takele (2:25:10), Wendwesen Tilahun (2:30:15), all from Ethiopia, and Kenyan Victor Kipkemei Chepkwony (2:35:48).

Additionally, eight more members of the team went home with honors, ranking at the top of their respective distance’s Age Group Category. Team 7-Eleven rookies Cherry Andrin and Artjoy Torregosa finished first and second in the 21km Female 16-29 Age Group, with times of 1:32:11 and 1:38:24, respectively. For the 21km Male division of the same age group, Team 7-Eleven rookies Jason Padayao secured the first spot with a time of 1:13:22, and Dhem Aj Monton took the second spot at 1:15:06.

In the 42km Male 30-39 Age Group, Florendo Lapiz landed on top with a time of 2:49:03. For the 42km Female Division, team regular Maricar Camacho (3:19:44), rookie Jennylyn Nobleza (3:21:35), and returnee Lizanne Abella (3:34:24) swept the top three spots of the 30-39 Age Group.

The Pattaya Marathon is an annual race held in the scenic city of Pattaya, Thailand, renowned for its beautiful beaches. This year, the race saw its largest number of participants ever, with 14,000 participants from 52 countries.  This race was the perfect opportunity for the team to exhibit their exceptional talent and proudly represent not only 7-Eleven Philippines but also our country, the Philippines.

“I am immensely proud and overjoyed with the performance of our runners at the Amazing Thailand Pattaya Marathon 2023. Despite the relentless rain and tough competition, they displayed unwavering determination and tenacity, making us all proud. I reaffirm 7-Eleven’s commitment to this grass-roots program dedicated to nurturing and supporting Filipino runners. We will continue to provide opportunities for our athletes to excel and represent our country with pride on the international stage.” – Mr. Jose C. Ang Jr., 7-Eleven General Merchandise Division Head and Managing Director for Digital.

The Amazing Thailand Pattaya Marathon 2023 event honored the Male and Female Top 5 Overall and Top 3 Age Group finishers with trophies and cash prizes. Additionally, Team 7-Eleven Philippines runners who achieved a Top 3 Overall ranking in their respective category will be rewarded with a special incentive from 7-Eleven Philippines, further recognizing their outstanding achievements.

“We, the 7-Eleven Run Series Team, take great joy in offering our runners the chance to compete on an international stage, showcasing their exceptional running skills and bringing pride to our nation. As we wholeheartedly support our athletes, I urge everyone to continue their unwavering support for 7-Eleven and show patronage to our brand sponsors’ products. Together, we can sustain this meaningful advocacy and empower our runners to achieve even greater heights.”, said Ms. Michelle Saludes, 7-Eleven Run Series Project Head and Section Manager for Exclusives and Events.

Team 7-Eleven Philippines arrived in Pattaya, Thailand’s Chon Buri province on Friday, July 21, 2023, and had the opportunity to explore this distinctive city before the race. The pre-race tour included a visit to the World’s Largest 7-Eleven Store, the 7-Eleven Pattaya, where the runners enjoyed complimentary shopping for their essentials throughout the trip. The delegation also visited the Honey Natural Farm and the Pattaya Floating Market. The trip culminated with a memorable All-Star Dinner Cruise Pattaya experience, providing the runners with a chance to relax and savor the experience without any pressure, and thoroughly enjoy the occasion.

This trip was made possible through the efforts of Philippine Seven Corporation together with the valuable support of Anta as Official Sportswear Partner, Selecta, Cornetto, Pocari Sweat, SIP, Nature Spring, Le Minerale, Kopiko Lucky Day, Cali, Pepsi, Gatorade, Mt. Dew, Summit, Absolute, Cobra, C2, Nova, Refresh, Coca Cola, Minute Maid, Wilkins, Motivo, Smart, TV5, and One Sport.

Team 7-Eleven Philippines All Set to Conquer the Pattaya Marathon 2023

File photo: Team 7-Eleven Philippines last year when they ruled the Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon 2023 in Vietnam

A group of 18 Filipino runners, all qualifiers from the recently held Run 7-Eleven Philippines 2023 last February, are set to embark on another international running race.

The group, also known as the “Team 7-Eleven Philippines 2023”, is scheduled to fly to Thailand to compete at the upcoming Pattaya Marathon 2023. This year’s group presents a diverse and talented mix of qualifiers. Competing for the top spots in Thailand on Sunday, July 23, 2023, are:

Among the eighteen participants, ten are repeat qualifiers, two are returnees, and six have qualified for the first time.

“It is always an honor for us, especially the 7-Eleven Run Series team, to provide our runners with the opportunity to compete internationally and showcase their running skills. Bringing pride to our country, our runners have the chance to excel on the international stage, and we are delighted to be a part of their journey.”, said Ms. Michelle Saludes, 7-Eleven Run Series Project Head and Section Manager for Exclusives and Events.

The Pattaya Marathon is an annual race held in the scenic city of Pattaya, Thailand, renowned for its beautiful beaches. Thousands of runners, both local and international, gather to participate in this prestigious event. For our runners, it presents the perfect opportunity to exhibit their exceptional talent and proudly represent not only 7-Eleven Philippines but also our country, the Philippines.

“7-Eleven Philippines remains committed to its grass-roots program, dedicated to nurturing and supporting Filipino runners. Our goal is to provide them with opportunities to represent the country in international races, fostering their talent and contributing to the development of competitive running in the Philippines.”, shared 7-Eleven General Merchandise Division Head and Managing Director for Digital, Mr. Jose C. Ang Jr.

This year’s Team 7-Eleven Philippines is set to fly to Thailand on Friday, July 20, 2023. The delegation will compete, all expenses are paid for, with pocket money, and their needs are taken care of. Apart from this, runners who successfully finish in any of the top three overall spots in their respective category will not only bring home the race prizes but also receive a bonus cash prize from Philippine Seven Corporation. This undertaking was made possible through the efforts of Philippine Seven Corporation together with the valuable support of Anta as Official Sportswear Partner, Selecta, Cornetto, Pocari Sweat, SIP, Nature Spring, Le Minerale, Kopiko Lucky Day, Cali, Pepsi, Gatorade, Mt. Dew, Summit, Absolute, Cobra, C2, Nova, Refresh, Coca Cola, Minute Maid, Wilkins, Motivo, Smart, TV5, and One Sport.

PRESS RELEASE: Cebuana Lhuillier Holds Pasasalamat Event

PASASALAMAT Event: Cebuana Lhuillier extends heartfelt thanks to loyal clients for decades of trust, loyalty

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For many of Cebuana Lhuillier’s pawning clients, their pieces of jewelry are more than valued accessories. To many, these items were heirloom pieces, fruits of their hard work, or precious investments. During times of need, they also represent a quick solution, an opportunity for a better life, or a fresh restart.

For more than 35 years, Cebuana Lhuillier has known these stories from its clients as they go through its doors during their times of need. More than its high appraisal rates, they comfort its clients with the assistance of well-trained branch personnel and the assurance that its precious pieces are safely and securely taken care of. This eases the burden of parting with the jewelry for the clients, until the time that they come back to claim their pawned items.

Aware that the value of the items in their care goes beyond their weight in gold, Cebuana Lhuillier thought of a way to further give meaning to the Holiday Season for some of its most loyal clients.

Salamat, Ka-Cebuana

As part of its CSR initiatives, the company has made it its annual tradition to give back to those in need during the Holidays. Usually, these gift-giving activities were held every 6^th of December in celebration of the Feast of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of pawnbrokers and the inspiration behind the legend of Santa Claus.

This year, Cebuana Lhuillier chose the best recipients—its valued clients, many of whom have stayed with the company for years, entrusting some of their most precious items in their times of need. The event, dubbed “Pasasalamat,” gathered more than 200 clients across eight regional locations nationwide in a simultaneous celebration of thanks and love from Cebuana Lhuillier. The gathering proved to be more than a celebration as attendees were feted to a day of fun and prizes, but the end of the program proved to be the most poignant of all when Cebuana Lhuillier, through its operations team, returned all the pawned items of its attendees as a special surprise.

Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO, shared, “Pasasalamat 2022 is our way of giving thanks to our clients for the trust and partnership we have established in the last 35 years. We’ve known their stories—and were blessed to be with them as they chased their dreams and provided better lives for their loved ones. With “Pasasalamat,” we are returning this trust by gifting them the items they pawned with us. We hope that through this small gesture, Cebuana Lhuillier is able to give further meaning to this season.”

A Season of Joy, Hope, and Giving Thanks

For many of the attendees of the Pasasalamat celebration, the unexpected blessings were more than expressions of gratitude coming from a long-time ally—it brought hope and joy as precious pieces, family heirlooms, and cherished investments found their way back to them.

For Grecilda Torres, a small business owner and client of Cebuana Lhuilier for 26 years, the unexpected return of her pawned items—all rings—brought to tears. “Nakaka-touch isipin na gumawa ng time si Cebuana Lhuillier na ipakita sa amin na importante kami. I am very much grateful and thankful na—yung 26 years naming magkasama, it keeps going lang. My business and the business of Cebuana Lhuillier, magkasama pa din kami. Nagka-doctor na akong anak, pero still, nandito pa din ako with Cebuana. And for that, I am very thankful,” she shares.

Meanwhile, Remigia Mejia, a 79-year-old cancer survivor and loyal client of Cebuana Lhuillier for 30 years, cannot believe that a pendant which her late husband gifted her before they were married has found its way back to her. She shares, “Hindi ko akalain na babalik yung mga alahas ko since pinag-iipunan ko din na matubos sila. Karamihan sa kanila, matatagal na sa akin, including yung pendant na bigay ng asawa ko and yung singsing ng anak ko which I gave her nung nag-debut siya. As much as possible, ayaw ko silang maremata kasi they are very valuable and sentimental pieces para sa akin. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa Cebuana Lhuillier for this event and for the many years na hindi nya din ako pinabayaan. Nagtra-trabaho pa lang ako, kasama ko na ang Cebuana Lhuillier and even till now, kami pa din ang magkasama.”

For Ana Marie Mendoza Rapido, a teacher from Cavite and a Ka-Cebuana since 2012, Cebuana Lhuillier has been a trusted ally during times of emergencies. Through their pieces of jewelry, Ana Marie and her siblings were able to sustain the hospitalization and medication of their mother who has been in and out of hospitals in the last ten years. “Ang Cebuana po, trusted na namin at lagi naming taga-sagip sa oras ng kagipitan, lalo na nung panahon ng pandemic,” shared Ana Marie who was in tears when she opened the box and saw her pawned item inside.

Grecilda, Remigia, and Ana Marie were just three of the many loyal clients whose continued trust and loyalty to Cebuana Lhuillier proved to be instrumental in the company’s continued reign as the country’s number one pawnshop.  With Pasasalamat, the decades-old financial institution was able to express and extend its thanks to the many whose continued patronage remains the reason for its longevity and its continuous desire to serve as an ally and a friend to millions of Filipinos and their journey towards a better future.

Team 7-Eleven Philippines Ready for the Ho Chi Minh City Intl Marathon in Vietnam

Five of the 16 Filipino Elite Runners to represent Team 7-Eleven Philippines were guests in the Sports Show – “The Game” together with 7-Eleven’s Gen. Merchandise Division Head and Managing Director for Digital, Mr Jose C. Ang, Jr.

After two years of being relegated to a virtual race format due to the pandemic, the 7-Eleven Run Series had its much-awaited big comeback via the in-person/physical race format last September 25, 2022, at the Filinvest City in Alabang and in Cebu Business Park and SM City Davao for the Cebu and Davao legs, respectively.

This 2022 race series was very much anticipated by both recreational and competitive runners because apart from providing a very challenging but well-organized run, 7-Eleven Philippines, the run series’ prime mover, and with the support of their various sponsors has always prepared awesome post-run treats for everybody.

Out of the total 35,000 participants for all three legs, the top overall Filipino male and female runners from the 42k, 32km, and 21km categories will be given a chance to compete in an international race event. This year, the race will be the 5th Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Seeing action this December 11, 2022 in Ho Chi Minh City are the following qualifiers:

Out of the 16 qualifiers, six are having their international race debut courtesy of 7-Eleven Philippines. Those who qualified for the first time are Florencio Lapiz ( 42km, 3rd overall male), Arlan Arbois and Jerome Casinillo (32km, 1st and 2nd overall, respectively) Rosalyn Tadias and Stephanie Cadosale (32km, 2nd and 3rd overall female, respectively), and Roy Laudit (21km, 3rd overall male).

Since its inception last 2013, The Run 7-Eleven Series became a channel for Filipino elite runners to show their skills and talent as runners and prove that they have what it takes to compete with runners from all over the world through an international race. The delegation will travel and compete, all expenses paid for, with pocket money, and their needs are taken care of. Apart from this, runners who successfully finish in any of the top three overall spots in their respective category will not only bring home the race prizes but also receive a bonus cash prize from 7-Eleven Philippines.

This is the first time that Philippine Seven Corporation will be sending a Team 7-Eleven Philippines delegation to an international race again after taking a two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.” 7-Eleven Philippines will continue with its grass-roots program to nurture and support our Filipino runners who aspire to get the chance to represent the country in an international race,” shared 7-Eleven General Merchandise Division Head and Managing Director for Digital, Mr. Jose C. Ang Jr.

The delegation, composed of the 16 Filipino elite runners together with executives from Philippine Seven Corporation, is scheduled to leave for Vietnam on Friday, December 9, 2022. This gives the runners enough time to get settled and prepare for the race on Sunday, December 11, 2022.

Take a look at some of the memories from the last Team 7-Eleven International race last 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

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Check back for more updates regarding Team 7-Eleven Philippines’ participation in the 5th Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon on Sunday.

Cebuana Lhuillier Celebrates World Savings Day

It’s October 31, 2022! It’s Halloween!

Well, aside from that, there’s also another event worth celebrating today – it’s World Savings Day! In fact, Cebuana Lhuillier has been celebrating this consistently for some years now, never missing a bit in their quest for awareness of the importance of saving as a fundamental step towards the journey to financial freedom.

This year, in anticipation of the event, Cebuana Lhuillier, the Philippines’ leading and largest micro-financial services provider, held an intimate but knowledge-packed blogger session dubbed ” 2022 World Savings Day: Restart Your Finances”. It had a guest speaker, SavingsPinay.ph’s blogger, Ms. Izza Glino.

The Financial Advisor in me was delighted to have been invited as any talk about financial literacy is always a welcome treat. Savings, after all, is the best foundation that can jumpstart one’s journey toward achieving financial freedom.

The talk aimed to impart valuable knowledge and awareness on how we can get our finances back on track. Towards the end, there was even a bonus activity – a workshop on how to use bullet journaling to help us keep track of our finances, monitor our cash flow, and stick to your set budget.

All attendees were oblivious to the heavy rains outside as we were all focused on the topics on hand. In the end, Izza and Cebuana Lhuillier were able to successfully send the message across. How can Filipinos reset and solve their money problems? Izza shared seven (7) steps you can follow and take to heart:

1. UNDERSTAND YOUR CURRENT FINANCIAL SITUATION
   • Take inventory of your finances – your income. expenses, debt, and assets. With a clear picture of your current financial standing, you can easily draw a plan to solve your money problems.
2. REVIEW YOUR SPENDING HABITS
   • Find out WHO and HOW are you when it comes to spending your own money lately.
     • Are you a SAVER or a SPENDER
     • Do you spend more on your needs or your wants?
3. MAKE SMALL CHANGES
   • Find small ways you can reduce your daily expenditure in order to save more
     • What tiny habits can you do for your finances?
4. BUDGET
   • Setting and following a monthly budget can help you gain a sense of control
5. SET NEW OR BETTER SAVING GOALS
   • Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals – as any financial advisor will teach everyone, our goals should always be “SMART” – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. These parameters as they pertain to your goal help ensure that your objectives are attainable within a certain time frame.
6. PUT YOUR PLAN INTO ACTION
   • Implement steps that can minimize the chances of another financial setback.
7. CORRECT AND ADJUST
   • Perfection is impossible. Get started with your saving goals, correct and adjust along the way.

Starting your savings is key to opening the doors to financial freedom. With well-established savings, you can level up to more financial instruments that are necessary to provide that peace of mind and a lifetime of financial stability.

Choose to restart your finances now!

With Cebuana Lhuillier’s Micro Savings, you can open regular savings account easier because it doesn’t require a maintaining balance. Account holders can deposit anytime and withdraw anywhere at their most convenient time with Cebuana Lhuillier’s network of more than 3,000 branches nationwide. As a Micro Savings account holder, you can also pay cashless using your card in any of 350,000 Unionpay and Bancnet accredited retail stores and withdraw in any of  21,000+ Bancnet ATM nationwide.

Micro Savings provides Filipinos with a more convenient and affordable means to save their hard-earned money.  Filipino citizens as young as 7 years old are qualified to open a savings account, which can be considered as a “kids savings” or “junior savings” account in banks.

Happy World Savings Day everyone. I wish you all a smooth journey to financial wellness. As Cebuana Lhuillier always reminds us, “Maging isang IPONARYO, dahil PANALO LAGI ANG MAY IPON!“