Globe Cordillera Challenge on

Manila, Philippines - The 2011 Globe Cordillera Challenge hits the on-and-off roads linking Baguio City and La Trinidad in Benguet today with at least 250 serious and weekend riders and mere health enthusiasts taking part in what could be the biggest race for the environment on this part of the country.

From the inaugural field of 70 in 2010, Globe Telecom, a leading telecommunications provider and organizer of the event, has received certified cooperation from the bikers and nature lovers, thus stamping as “done” the telecom company’s goal of planting 30,000 seedlings – up from the 15,000 last year – in the sprawling Cordillera mountains.

“It’s all systems go already for Globe Cordillera Challenge 2011 and we are bound to implement in earnest and with confidence our aim of helping restore the Cordillera mountain region to its former glorious – and hopefully ‘greener’ – state,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe head of corporate communications.

Crisanto added that the increased participation for 2011 is “proof that what we planted in 2010 is now beginning to grow and is getting the attention of many.”

The riders will start their trek from the historic Burnham Park in Baguio City at 6 a.m. From there, they will pedal around Baguio City through its scenic places and then bike their way into La Trinidad and its environs heading towards the Benguet Provincial Capitol. The provincial capitol is an edifice majestically perched on an elevated portion along the highway that provides a quick view of the capitol. It serves as the designated finish of the race, where the bikers are estimated to arrive by noon after racing for a total of 40 kms.

Globe Telecom’s corporate social responsibility arm, Globe Bridging Communities (Globe BridgeCom), again partnered with the Cordillera Conservation Trust (CCT), a non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated to help preserve the Cordillera mountain ecosystem, and is led by its executive director, JP Alipio.

The activity is also being supported by Dong-A Pharma, distributor of Bacchus energy drink; Cordillera Coffee; Manila Water; Manila Bulletin, The Philippine Star, and Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Already signed up for the 2011 Globe Cordillera Challenge are the Globe Adventure Club (GAC), a group of mountain biking employees of Globe Telecom, members of the Philippine Mountain Biking Forum (PHILMOFO), the Pinoy Mountain Biker Community (PMBC), Team Holcim, military and police personnel, and individual biking enthusiasts.

For mountain bikers to participate, they are asked to make a donation of at least P1,000 to the Cordillera Conservation Trust.

Bikers may donate through GCASH (text DONATE <space> 1000 <space> MPIN <space> CORDI and send to 2882 or the Cordillera Conservation Trust’s Banco de Oro (BDO) account, Tignayan Para Iti Konserbasyon Ti Kordilyera with account number 5180031673.