For three years, Globe's Broadband team has rallied Ka-Globe and their friends and family to join the Ironman triathlon, one of the toughest one-day sporting events in the world. Vinnie Calnea, Director of People and Performance at Broadband Business, shares why they started this initiative and what they have learned from the journey so far.
Complete roster of athletes joining the Broadband Relay Team for 2024 Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay Philippines
It started with a casual conversation three years ago with our Group Head Danny Theseira and our teammate then, Janis Racpan. We all agreed that it can be fun to race in Puerto Princesa.
We spread the word and successfully recruited two relay teams, all of whom finished the race — even though 4 out of 6 team members were first-timers in Ironman 70.3! And the rest is history.
After the first race, it became an aspiration to share that anybody can do it if they put in the hours and train for it. Providing slots for a relay team allowed people to experience the cheers of a massive crowd and cross the finish line of an elite race like Ironman even if you are not a seasoned triathlete.
The atmosphere at an Ironman race is electric.
I think the race mirrors life in general with that deep sense of accomplishment, knowing that one was able to conquer a personal challenge, no matter how tough the journey was. It’s grit in motion. And I think grit is a value that we can all benefit from.
The group has evolved a lot within the three years. I think it has come a long way and has exceeded our expectations. We started with two relay teams; by our third year this year, we had six relay teams coming from different groups in Globe (NTG, OSMCX, PEDG, Postpaid), Ayala Group (Mynt and Asticom), plus our friends and family (from 917 Triathlon Club, an ex-Globe employee, a wife, and a swim/run coach).
Fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace culture was also deliberate on our end. What started as a fun activity outside of work easily became, to Danny’s point, a coming together of beginner and seasoned athletes that tells us that truly, anything is possible.
It was important for us to involve not just Ka-Globe, but their friends and family. Time with work is time away from our loved ones. Training for elite races such as this is also time away from our loved ones. However, if we train alongside them or let them see us successfully cross the finish line, it becomes a truly meaningful bonding experience.
I was mindful that everyone feels welcome and has access to the same opportunities and resources.
Organizing these relays was a good opportunity for me to grow and expand my leadership skills, in particular by ensuring that everyone feels included and that they belong. From Day 1, I was mindful that everyone feels welcome and has access to the same opportunities and resources like the running workshop or coaching on the swim strategy that Coach Moi Yamoyam of the Run and Swim Academy PH shared.
I also tried to become the buddy of the newbies by just being there especially when they get anxious. I tried to help ground the sport on a level that boosts their confidence by sharing my own journey as a newbie then. These small gestures, no matter how everyday they seem, contribute to the inclusive culture that we are continuously building in Globe. Championing DEIB can be as simple as being there when others need you.
Pre-race event: Cynthia Mangahas of Globe Postpaid ringing the bell as a tradition for first-timers
The atmosphere at an Ironman race is electric. I got to see each of our swimmers make the cut-off one by one and watch every team cross the finish line. I was cheering them on but also feeling the tension as they pushed themselves so hard, battling through cramps and exhaustion.
Being part of it all was incredibly fulfilling. It wasn’t just about organizing and watching others accomplish something amazing — it was about how the whole experience made me feel. It opened my eyes once again on the power of grit and teamwork, and just how far people can push themselves when they’re determined.
Building a culture of high performance is not easy and it takes a whole village. It means having the right talent in place, offering them enough opportunities to grow, and, most importantly, assuring them of a supportive environment where they can lead, be creative, take risks, and take deliberate pauses to recharge and have a little fun.
With our various programs and initiatives to support employee development, I’d like to think that I, along with my People and Performance teammates Echo, Yzle, and Dan, and with the full support of our head Danny and leaders Abby, Anna and Wil-R, are helping push this culture forward.
I’d like to believe that I also help remind the reason why we do what we do and it’s anchored in our purpose of uplifting the lives of the Filipinos.
Case in point, GFiber Prepaid is a product that democratizes fiber internet connection. It helps ensure that every Filipino becomes a digital Filipino. During the Ironman event, we helped communicate this message as loud as we can for all 2,000 athletes across 44 countries participating. And it’s a privilege to be taking part in fulfilling that purpose.
At the pre-race event, proudly promoting GFiber Prepaid
Something that we haven’t done in the past was to partner with an SME such as Coach Moi Yamoyam, who owns Run and Swim Academy PH. Programs like this can have a social impact because it enables access to services as well as provides business opportunities for him.
I have a couple of memorable moments from this experience. The collective spirit among our teams, as I watch them all push through moments of fatigue with smiles, high-fives, and shared struggles. That for me is memorable.
Everyone covered their own entry fees and hotel costs. That shows that they were fully committed to the experience and not just looking for freebies.
The commitment of our teammates is really incredible. Addie, Junro, and Cathly joined the relay teams thrice! We also had a cyclist and a runner whose legs cramped up severely, but they kept going without giving up. I admired them all for their grit as it allowed all teams to become finishers.
I think we have reached our goals in making the sport accessible to practically anyone who is willing to try and in organizing a memorable event that showcases that with grit, anything is possible.
What’s next is that we are starting to build more runners within the team to join races for a cause like the upcoming tACbo in January and GCash’s Eco Run in March.
Special thanks to 917 Triathlon Club Officers Monch Gonzales, Marc Manalastas, and Toni Favis for their full support to the Broadband Relay Teams.
Like a triathlon relay, working with your own teams at Globe requires strong collaboration. Who are the teammates that helped you reach the finish line with flying colors this year? Give them a shoutout in the comment section below!
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