MANILA, Philippines - Mobile innovations will be introduced by Globe Telecom at the 4th Globe Cordillera Challenge on May 4 to make the fund-raising biking activity more fun and exciting.
“This year, as part of our aim to keep our riders motivated, we decided to innovate with the use of mobile-based apps that will make the challenges more engaging for the bike riders involved. Strava app will allow the riders to compete on a virtual field with other riders without the need to be in the same physical space. This will allow them to still take in the view of the Cordilleras while maintaining a healthy dose of competition during the ride,“ said JP Alipio, executive director of Cordillera Conservation Trust, partner-beneficiary of Globe for the challenge.
He added: “Foursquare check-ins have also been created throughout the route with tips on each location for those who are more inclined to take a more leisurely tourist approach to the ride providing an interesting avenue for the virtual world now found on most mobile devices and through Globe Telecom’s wireless network service.â€
Foursquare is a popular location-based social networking website for mobile devices that allows users to check in at a particular location by selecting from a list of venues the applications locate nearby. Strava, on the other hand, is a performance analytics website and mobile app that allows riders to easily record their rides and track their progress at no cost.
“The use of Strava and Foursquare will help showcase the superiority of Globe Telecom’s network in the Cordilleras in view of the recent completion of our network modernization program. At the same time, these apps can assist us in monitoring the performance of the participants and ensure us that they are on track in terms of time and location,†said Rob I. Nazal, head of Globe Corporate Social Responsibility.
Both apps are free to download and can be used on both iPhone and android devices, thereby, allowing greater participation of riders.
For the Globe Cordillera Challenge 4, about 300 riders will have to traverse a 65-kilometer trail in the Cordillera mountain range passing though Ambuklao Dam and having a view of Agno River and Binga Dam. As a component of the reforestation initiative of Globe and CCT, it is important for the bikers to see the areas in which the forest building has a large impact — the dams which supply water and power for most of northern Luzon.
The biking challenge is a way for Globe and CCT to help revive the ailing Cordillera mountain range which is suffering from severe denudation.
Even non-bikers can join the advocacy by sending their donations through Globe GCASH (textDONATE<space>amount<space>CORDI and send to 2882) or by depositing any amount to the Cordillera Conservation Trust BDO account (account name: Tignayan Para Iti Konserbasyon Ti Kordilyera; Account number – 5180031673).
Major sponsors for Globe Cordillera Challenge 4 are Choose Philippines, Huawei, and Non-Pareil International Freight and Cargo Services, Inc. with Baguio Chronicle as media partner. Other sponsors are Cordillera Coffee, Hill Station, and Messy Bessy. Official bike shop partners are Grantrail Cycles Makati, and Beyond Outdoor Adventure.