MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Allianz PNB Life has partnered with Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso to install bike racks designed to evoke memories of growing up in Manila.
Crafted to encourage a culture of cycling among Filipinos and to stir local tourism, each bike rack was creatively designed to reflect the place for which it will be installed.
“As someone who grew up in Manila and continues to live and serve its residents today, it makes me proud that Allianz PNB Life has chosen our city to bring its sustainability campaign and take inspiration from our beautiful and historic sites,” said Domagoso.
The bike rack art installation will be launched during the country’s commemoration of the “Araw ng Watawat” (Flag Day), which will be held on May 28, Friday, at the Kartilya ng Katipunan, where one of the bike racks is located.
The event will also mark the beginning of the celebration of the 450th Founding Anniversary of the City of Manila.
Domagoso, along with Manila City Vice Mayor Maria Sheilah “Honey” Lacuna-Pangan, MD, FPDS; Alexander Grenz, President and Chief Executive Officer, Allianz PNB Life; and Gino Riola, Chief Marketing Officer, Allianz PNB Life will lead the launch and celebration.
They will be joined by Laura Oexle, German Embassy Deputy Head of Mission; Bernie Punsalan, Group Head for Luzon, Philippine National Bank; Carlos Leytte, Region Head, North Metro Manila, PNB; Atty. Guiller Asido, Administrator, Intramuros Administration; Charlie Duñgo, Director, Department of Tourism, Culture, and Arts of Manila; Engr. Armando Andres, Director of the Department of Engineering and Public Works; Giovanni Evangelista, Director of the Parks and Development Office; and Kenneth Amurao, Director of the Department of Public Services.
Simultaneous inaugurations will also be held in other locations of the bike racks.
Kenneth Yu, Digital Brand Management Head, Allianz PNB Life, will lead the launch at the Rajah Sulayman Park, Roxas Boulevard of the Alon bike rack.
Bernadette Jalandoni-Pantoja, Bancassurance Distribution Partner Head, Allianz PNB Life, will cut the ribbon at Plaza Roma, Intramuros for the Kalesa bike rack, while Carol Bernas, VP and Head for PNB Bancassurance, Allianz PNB Life, will be at the Liwasang Bonifacio, Ermita for Maya bike rack.
“In bringing our Ride Safe campaign to Manila, we wanted our bike racks not only to provide an area for bikers to stop for rest or have their bikes parked, we also wanted them to contribute to the city’s tourism efforts,” said Grenz.
“We hope that these initiatives will encourage more people to consider biking not just as an alternative but a major transport option for getting around the city.”
Inspiration Behind the Bike Rack Designs
The bike racks and art installation in Manila were designed by Mark Wesley Pahate— a Manileño himself.
Pahate was born and raised in Tondo and finished Advertising Arts at the University of Santo Tomas in España, Manila.
An advocate of street art, Pahate was an associate creative director at McCann World Group and Harrison Communications prior to starting his own boutique agency, Eggshell.
Tabak bike rack at the Kartilya ng Katipunan commemorates the bravery of the Katipuneros. It was placed strategically near the monument of hero Andres Bonifacio holding a tabak.
The Maya bike rack, meanwhile, is inspired by the little bird that once flew in abundance over the city’s parks and churches.
At Rajah Sulayman Park, where one can see Manila Bay from across Roxas Boulevard, the
Alon bike rack will stand as a remembrance of the city’s historic bay and beautiful sunset.
The Kalesa bike rack at Plaza Roma in front of the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros is a reminder of how the horse-drawn carriage used to rule the streets during earlier times.
Allianz PNB Life launched its Ride Safe campaign in 2020 with the objective of promoting the use of the bicycle as a sustainable solution to the mobility problem brought about by the pandemic.
Hailed as one of the world’s most sustainable insurers, Allianz has advocated for healthier and more sustainable alternatives of transport.
