Philippine Veterans Bank Gears Up for the 1st Historic Victory Day Bike Ride in Baguio Honoring WWII Veterans

Baguio City will witness a momentous event that blends history and sportsmanship. The inaugural Victory Day Ride spearheaded by the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) slated on September 3, 2023, will take cycling enthusiasts and history aficionados on a journey to honor the sacrifices of World War II veterans and raise awareness about Baguio Victory Day.

Mike Villa-Real, PVB first vice president for marketing and communications, said “the enactment of R.A. 11216 in 2018, marks September 3rd of each year as a special working holiday, marking Yamashita’s surrender and Victory Day in the Philippines. This day in 1945 is clearly a significant historical event marking the success and along with it, the toil and sacrifices, of the soldiers of both the United States and the Philippines. However, it is not as well-known as the “Araw ng Kagitingan” (Day of Valor) commemorated April 9 each year.”

Organized in partnership with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), City Government of Baguio, Wartime Heritage Guild Philippines (WHG), Without Limits, Salgado PR, this ride aims to foster a deeper understanding of the city's significant role during WWII while encouraging active participation in the sport of cyclists of all ages and backgrounds.

Inspired by the annual Ride for Valor that retraces the infamous Death March, the Victory Day Bike Ride takes a different route, focusing on the historical sites and landmarks associated with Baguio City's role in World War II. Cyclists and participants will embark on a 44.5 kilometer route that meanders through the city's picturesque landscapes and historical spots, providing a unique opportunity to relive the past and honor the heroes who fought valiantly for freedom.

While the Ride for Valor primarily focuses on the Death March, the Victory Day Bike Ride aims to balance the narrative by shedding light on the broader scope of World War II history in the Philippines. The Victory Day Bike Ride seeks to increase awareness about Baguio City's role during the war. The event intends to give due recognition to the countless Filipino and American soldiers who fought for the country’s liberation.

The Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) invites sports and cycling enthusiasts to join the Ride for Victory Day, a bike-for-a-cause event that aims to raise funds for the maintenance of the country’s historical markers and other World War 2 heritage sites.

The ride is open to fully vaccinated cyclists and all types of bikes with brakes. Villa-Real said participants may ride at their own pace, and will also implement a "No Helmet, No Ride" policy to ensure the safety of the participants.

Villa-Real also said a mechanic will be available to help those who encounter mechanical difficulties, while roving marshals will be present to keep track of the riders' progress. Support vehicles are allowed, but riders should only ride in the vehicle if they choose to drop out of the event.

The non-competitive bike ride will have 5 pitstops: Start at Baguio City Hall, First Stop, Camp Allen, Second Stop, USAFIP-NL Marker, Third Stop, Sablan View Deck, Fourth Stop, Fort Del Pilr (Philippine Military Academy), Fifth and Final Stop, US Embassy in Camp John Hay.

The registration fee for the Ride for Victory Day is P600, which includes an official event shirt, a race bib and passport, a loot bag, a post-ride meal, and a commemorative medal.

Interested individuals may register online at https://bit.ly/victorydayride-regform while groups may email rideforvalor@gmail.com until September 1. 

PVB is a private, commercial bank owned by World War 2 veterans and their families. With its new Charter signed into law, the Bank's ownership now includes Post War Veterans and AFP Retirees.

For more information about the event, follow Victory Day Ride on Facebook.

5 Common Business Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Did you know that 90% of businesses online fail in just 4 months? 

Yes, you read that right! It's sad but it's true. 

So, if you are a business owner or if you are aspiring to be one, then let us share with you the Top 5 Common Business Mistakes and Tips on How to Fix Them: 

1. Unable to Establish a Niche or Focus - The online world can be overwhelming. With the endless possibilities and opportunities, one may also fall into the trap of being all over the place which in return, makes the brand easily lose its identity.  

It is important for brands to establish a niche or identify their area of focus in that way, people can easily remember and recall the brand when doing significant consumer decisions. 

TIP: When starting a business, ask the big questions because your answers can help you identify your niche.  

• What is the purpose of my business?
• What problems am I trying to solve?
• What gaps in the market am I trying to fill in? 

2. Targeting a Broad and Large Market - As great as it sounds, targeting a broad and large market might not be the most efficient way to spend your time and your marketing budget. We have to understand that not everyone can be our customers. The market is so diverse with varying needs, interests, and purchasing power.    

TIP: Know your target audience. Identify consumers who are likely to buy your products and services, and customize your digital marketing strategies to use to engage them.  Do not over-stretch your budget just because you want to reach everyone. 

3. Failing to Establish Online Presence - Whether we admit it or not, digital and online marketing is the way to go. According to a recent study by GE Capital Retail Bank, 81% of retail shoppers conduct online research first before making a purchase.

Thus, by failing to establish your online presence, you set your business NOT being considered in a consumer purchasing decision. 

TIP: Maximize the use of social media platforms like Facebook, IG, Tiktok, Linkedin, etc. 

4. Not Having a Blog - Many businesses build their company websites but miss out on the huge opportunity and benefits of including a blog. As business owners, we have to keep in mind that the goal is not simply to put up a business but rather to become an industry leader. 

By keeping an updated blog and publishing relevant articles, you market yourself and your brand as an expert in your industry. Not to mention your blog posts can get indexed which also helps in the SEO of your website. 

5. Unable to Maximize Online Resources - We just talked about creating a blog and yes, we know that content creation may be a bit challenging for some. However, it is not a sufficient excuse that you don't do it. 

If you don't have a blog because writing is not your forte, or you tend to avoid social media because you don't know how to create posters or edit videos, then you are making the biggest mistake in running your business. There are so many available online resources available now that can help you with your content writing or graphic design needs. 

There is even a database of all the popular tools for digital marketing that you can use so, you don't have to search all over. These tools are user-friendly making it possible even for non-tech-savvy individuals to harness the benefits of using these online resources. 

Indeed, running a business is not easy however, by avoiding these simple mistakes we can increase our chance of success by being focused, creative and resourceful.