Run with a Purpose, Race for a Cause: How the PalawanPay Marathon brought El Nido one step closer to life-saving care

 

From seasoned marathoners to budding health enthusiasts, the 2025 PalawanPay Marathon drew the biggest number of participants since it was first introduced as Palawan Express Marathon in 2015.

The Palawan Group of Companies (PGC), through its fast-growing e-wallet platform, PalawanPay, recently held the crowd-drawing PalawanPay Marathon in Puerto Princesa City, as part of its 40th anniversary celebration. The event drew more than 2,100 runners – the greatest number of participants since it was established as Palawan Express Marathon in 2015. Fueled by excitement and endurance, participants from all over the Philippines – and even several from overseas such as Australia and the USA – laced up for the marathon.

More than just a race, the PalawanPay Marathon represents the PGC’s strong commitment to corporate social responsibility, as the proceeds from the event was utilized to purchase an ambulance unit for the El Nido Community Hospital. This donation is anticipated to strengthen emergency response to emergency health situations in one of the most visited and beloved municipalities of Palawan.

PGC’s Secret to Success: Staying True to Its Core Values

Korina Castro-Fernando, Chief Human Resources Officer, expressed, “The Palawan Group has always been rooted in the core value of malasakit (compassion). Every kilometer conquered in the PalawanPay Marathon is a symbol of how far we are willing to go to be of service to Filipinos – to Palawenos. As we celebrate 40 years of service, it is our greatest honor to go back to our roots and give back to the communities that journeyed with us since the beginning.”

PGC COO Roberto Ben “Bobbit” M. Castro expressed gratitude to everyone who made the 2025 PalawanPay Marathon a massive success. 

This sentiment is echoed by PGC Chief Operations Officer and 2025 PalawanPay Marathon overall committee head, Roberto Ben Castro, who remarked, “this year marks the 40th anniversary of the Palawan Group of Companies. Ang Palawan Group po ay nagsimula dito sa Palawan, at kasama namin kayo sa paglago. Ang tinatamasa nating tagumpay ay dulot ng ating mga Suki. Kaya naman sa ating pagbabalik-tanaw, itong ginawa nating pagtakbo ay hindi lamang para sa ating sariling kalusugan, kung ‘di para rin sa kalusugan ng isang komunidad. Ang PalawanPay Marathon 2025 ay nagbunga ng isang ambulansya na ido-donate natin sa El Nido Community Hospital.” (The Palawan Group of Companies traces its roots here in Palawan, and you, Palawenos, have been with us through the years. We owe you, our Sukis, the success we enjoy today. Now as we look back to our humble beginnings, we hosted this meaningful marathon not just to boost the health of our runners, but also the health of an entire community. The proceeds from PalawanPay Marathon 2025 will be used to purchase an ambulance unit that we will donate to El Nido Community Hospital).

PGC COO Roberto Ben "Bobbit" M. Castro and overall committee head, Dr. Robert Angelo A. Arrieta, and Ms. Rosana Sanoy, El Nido Community Hospital Chief of Hospital and Hospital Administrator, respectively, were present to receive a ceremonial key.

This announcement was met with enthusiastic applause and heartfelt cheers from the crowd. Emotions ran high when Mr. Castro further shared, “minsan, kailangan pa ng pasyente na maghintay ng isang araw para mailipat sa mas malaking ospital dito sa Puerto Princesa. Umaasa tayo na ang ambulansyang ito ay makatutulong para mas maalagaan ang kalusugan ng ating mga kapwa Palaweno sa El Nido.” (There have been cases where patients had to wait an entire day just to be transported to a larger hospital here in Puerto Princesa. We hope this ambulance will ensure better healthcare for our fellow Palawenos in El Nido).

Present during the ceremonial key turnover were Dr. Robert Angelo A. Arrieta and Ms. Rosana Sanoy, Chief of Hospital and Hospital Administrator, respectively. The ceremonial key  represented a brand new Toyota Hi-Ace which will now serve as the hospital’s very own ambulance.

40 Years, One Vision

The PalawanPay Marathon is part of the “Ikaw Pa Rin ang Number One: Palawan at 40” celebration, highlighting four decades that have been dedicated to service of their Sukis (loyal customers), rooted in trust, service, and compassion.

More than a business milestone, it reaffirms the company’s mission to empower Filipinos with accessible and reliable financial solutions, while making a lasting difference in the lives of communities we serve. As more that 2,100 runners crossed the finish line, they symbolized not just physical endurance, but the strength of a company that is proudly gawang Pilipino, para sa Pilipino (by Filipinos, for Filipinos) that continues to run alongside its Sukis – empowering communities and reaffirming that even at 40 years strong, PGC is just getting started.