Who Knew a Fun Run Could Buy an Ambulance?

In a record-breaking display of community spirit and endurance, the 2025 PalawanPay Marathon gathered over 2,100 runners in Puerto Princesa City, making it the biggest turnout since the event’s inception in 2015.

The annual race, organized by the Palawan Group of Companies (PGC), marked a milestone as part of the conglomerate’s 40th-anniversary celebration.

Previously known as the Palawan Express Marathon, the event has evolved into more than just a showcase of athleticism — it’s now a platform for meaningful community impact.

This year’s marathon, sponsored by PGC’s e-wallet platform PalawanPay, funneled proceeds toward purchasing an ambulance for the El Nido Community Hospital.

The new ambulance is expected to dramatically improve emergency response capabilities in El Nido, one of the most frequented tourist destinations in the Philippines.

In past emergencies, patients reportedly had to wait nearly a full day before being transferred to Puerto Princesa’s larger medical facilities.

PGC Chief Operations Officer Roberto Ben “Bobbit” Castro said the donation reflects the company’s longstanding gratitude to the Palawan community, which supported them from humble beginnings.

“This run isn’t just for our health,” said Castro, “it’s for the health of an entire community.”

A symbolic key representing the donation of a brand-new Toyota Hi-Ace ambulance was handed over during the event, witnessed by hospital officials Dr. Robert Angelo A. Arrieta and Rosana Sanoy.

For El Nido, where tourism is booming but emergency medical infrastructure remains limited, the donation couldn’t have come at a better time.

Participants included professional runners, fitness enthusiasts, and even international visitors from the U.S. and Australia — highlighting the growing draw of the marathon beyond local borders.

PalawanPay Chief Human Resources Officer Korina Castro-Fernando emphasized that every kilometer conquered was a symbol of compassion and commitment to service.

“This is malasakit in motion,” she said, referencing the Filipino word for empathy and community care.

Now branded under “Ikaw Pa Rin ang Number One: Palawan at 40,” the event reaffirms PGC’s mission to stay grounded in service while looking ahead through innovation.

PGC, a market leader in pawning and remittance, has diversified into financial technology with its digital wallet PalawanPay.

The app allows users to send and receive money, pay bills, load mobile credits, and even claim international remittances — with added features like pawn renewal and microinsurance.

With more than 70,000 outlets and branches nationwide, PGC continues to make financial access easier for millions of Filipinos.

Despite its national scale, the company remains rooted in Palawan, where it began as a small pawnshop and remittance center four decades ago.

By blending financial inclusion with corporate social responsibility, PGC shows that business success and community upliftment can go hand in hand.

As the runners crossed the finish line, they weren’t just clocking personal bests — they were carrying a legacy of care and commitment that now includes a life-saving ambulance for El Nido.

At 40 years strong, PGC is proving that they’re not just running a race — they’re running a movement.