SBR.ph 2018 SEASON OPENS NOW!

January 26, 2018 marks the opening of SWIMBIKERUN.ph (SBR.ph) activities for 2018.  Held at the event center of the Century City Mall, the event was well attended by traditional and digital media practitioners and invited guests.

Gracing the event from the Department of Tourism is Mr. Frederick M. Alegre – Assistant Secretary for Office of Public Affairs, Communications and Special Projects, from Black Arrow Express – logistic partner, Century City Mall – venue host and The Big Difference communications (TBDC) – PR & Marketing partner.  This year, SBR.ph finds its new home in one of Century Properties venue, the Century City Mall – located along Kalayaan Avenue corner Salamanca St, Poblacion, Makati City.

Black Arrow Express (BAE) is the e-commerce arm of AAI Worldwide Logistics (formerly known as Airlift Asia Inc.).  Their leadership is also into the triathlon scene which explains why they support this kind and similar athletic event and activities.  Mr. John Walter Baybay, Chief Strategist and Vice President for Marketing and Communication gave an analogy showing the path of a tri-athlete and that of BAE as they do their work.  Century City Mall believes in the concept of fun sports which the TRI-series projects and carries which explain as to why they decided to become the venue host for some of the events of SBR.ph.  The recognition given to SBR.ph by the Department of Tourism is no small matter for both parties.  For the DOT, they are recognized as a local group responsible in making the sports scene of the country more dynamic and noteworthy for the sports-tourism actions of the department.  For SBR.ph, the recognition is equivalent to all the efforts that they have placed in making things happen for the sport and the formed community.

Asec. Frederick Alegre mentioned the various programs of the department in promoting not only tourism but also encouraging balikbayans to stay and be part of the whole activity of the department.  They are also willing to give recognition to groups, similar to SwimBikeRun.ph, who is adding value in the tourism field by attracting local and foreign participants in their respective field of sports done in the country.

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SWIMBIKERUN.ph (SBR.ph) is the brainchild of a Carlos de Guzman, a tri-athlete with a passion for the sports.  With the fire burning strong, a community is now formed that is continuously growing and inspiring lives.  SBR.ph is an online store that caters to the gear needs of tri-athletes and/or those that are simply into running, swimming and cycling.  He has shirts, socks, caps, drinking bottles, monitor watches, goggles, support straps and such made available on his site.  He can also give support to some cyclist needs such as wheels. 

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The press conference was held at the event center of the Century City Mall.  Hosted by the people of TBDC, the event started with a welcoming talk from Carlos De Guzman himself and was followed by a warm message coming from the DOT.  From there the whole calendar activities of SBR.ph for 2018 was presented to the media giving highlight to the results of the online nominations and the ongoing online voting which shall end on February 3,2018;  to the SBR Award’s Night on February 10 and the Expo on February 10 and 11 respectively.  Awards to be given in February are the following:

-          Elite Tri-Athlete of the Year (Men and Women Division)

-          Duathlete of the Year (Men and Women Division)

-          Age Group Tri-athlete of the Year (Men and Women Division)

-          Youth Tri-athlete of the Year (Men and Women Division)

-          Race of the Year (Below 800)

-          Race of the Year (Above 800)

-          Team of the Year

-          Shoe of the Year

-          Shop of  the Year

-          Tri-Gear of the Year

-          Bike of the Year

-          Coach of the Year

-          SBR.ph Hall of Fame Class of 2017

The first of all the races will take place in April which is the AQUAMAN (Aquathlon), followed by the DUAMAN (Duathlon) in May and capping it all off with the TRIMAN (Triathlon) in June; registration for all SBR events is now open to all interested individual and enjoy an early bird discount. 

 Happening to a near side-by-side with the Award’s Night is the SBR EXPO, a retailers event showcasing items all geared to the needs of a tri-athlete.  New retailers will join in the event showing their wares that are health related in nature that both athletes and non-sport minded individuals may be interested in. This is an open to all event, regulars of the mall can also enjoy the items offered on those days.

Part of SBR’s plan for this year is to launch a race event for kids and PWD’s – a group that shows promise in terms of growth, recognition and possible fair market locally and abroad.  Mr. De Guzman believes that the sport should be made open to all ages, sex and physical condition and still maintains the element of simple enjoyment without the normal pressure of a very dynamic and demanding sport.  He aims to bring the sport nationwide and have it set on the natural terrain of the province that he goes to.

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After a successful media launch, SBR.ph is all geared to release the results on the voting phase and is looking forward to see everybody during the two big events in February namely the Award’s Night and the Expo – a moment filled with fun, laughter and plain camaraderie in his growing community of athletes, enthusiasts and supporters.   

**photos provided by TBDC archive