Donating by kilometers was made possible when BKFI joined the Digital Challenge for Companies, a campaign launched by Action Against Hunger in partnership with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).

The campaign is designed to be a virtual team building and employee engagement conduit, keeping in mind work-from-home and social distancing protocols in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosted in the ContraElHambre mobile phone application, the campaign allowed each team member to see the kilometers they’ve made per day, type of activity, and personal ranking within the team.

Originally formed as an unofficial group of biking enthusiasts in the company, the BKFI bicycle team is composed of various personnel from the company’s head office and Batangas branches. The team was actively committed to hitting the original target of 2,000 kilometers from January 10 to February 7. “We created a group chat where everyone shared their ideas, talked about schedules, and routes to take,” shares Gaye Gonzalvo, BKFI Executive Director. “We were always looking for ways to beat the target.”

The BKFI Bicycle Tteam in action. (Photo by Owen Lascano)

Part of the planning included integrating the challenge in their work.

BKFI as the social arm of was formed by Bangko Kabayan (BK), a Private Development Bank, and one of the integral works of the company is to appraise real estate properties. Four of the bikers, Ferdie Martinez, Adrian Montalbo, Christian Pagcaliwangan, and Robinson Semira traveled to the properties by cycling. “We were able to save the company some money because fuel prices are so high,” said Ferdie, “at the same time, we were keeping healthy and contributing our kilometers to the campaign.”

The group effort paid off. The BKFI bicycle team hit their target earlier than expected on January 30. This was achieved in no small part due to the “walang iwanan” (leave no one behind) attitude of the team members. Member Kevin Torino shares, “there was a time in February when I could not join a weekend group ride because I had a flat tire. Thankfully, Henry was able to lend me his repair kit early in the morning.”

BKFI held a company-wide event where employees participated in a fun run in Tinga Itaas, Batangas on February 6 to celebrate the group’s achievement.

Each member of the BKFI bicycle Team was also personally congratulated by BKFI President Maria Teresa Ganzon, and former BK President Atty. Francis Ganzon.

“All of us are so happy that our efforts will be converted to help children fight hunger in the country,” said team member Dinds Ofrecio. “I hope that we get to do the challenge again, this time with more BK bikers.”

The team during the fun run event with some BK employees. (L to R Standing) Maria Teresa Ganzon – – BKFI President, Violeta Echague – former BKFI first ever Executive Director, Conrad Miranda- Inclusive Finance Area Head,(IBB/RBB/SNJ/TCB/TBB/Lobo)Kevin Torino – Acting Roving Inclusive Finance Supervisor, (BCB)Adrian Montalbo- Credit Investigator/Junior Appraiser, Christian J. Pagcaliwangan- Senior Appraiser, Irvin Andal- Officer-in-Charge -Talisay Branch, Henry Dela Torre – Credit Support Department Head, Ben Guerra – Credit Investigator/Junior Appraiser, Rommel Agravante – Loans Documentation Unit Head, Leandro Ofrecio – Chief Operations Officer, Arlene Bagsit – BKFI Volunteer (Former BK Branch Manager), Shiela Mae Alilio -– Teller, Irene Kate Daz -Teller, Zarina Cumal -– Teller, Edric Ainsley Bagsit – BKFI Volunteer, (son of Arlene Bagsit) Edward Austin Bagsit- BKFI Voulunteer (Son of Arlene Bagsit, ) Atty. Francis Ganzon – Former President of Bangko Kabayan, Inc. (L to R – From left to right – Seated) Edlyn Gayacan – Performance and Compensation Specialist, Jeankee Llora Mercado – Recruitment Associate, Gloria Gonzalvo – CSR Manager, Ferdinand Martinez – Branch Manager, Edrine Evangelio – HR Associate, Robinson Semira – Credit Investigator/Junior Appraiser, Marvin Arsua – Organizational Development and Employee Relations Officer’, Keane Angelo Evangelio – Credit Investigator/Junior Appraiser. (Photo by Owen Lascano.)