A Superapp as Wingman: Grab Helps Thousands of Filipinos with Valentine’s Day Plans

Delivering on its promise of safe, reliable, and value-driven transportation and on-demand deliveries, Grab proved to be an effective wingman for Filipinos last Valentine’s Day. Thousands of Filipino couples relied on GrabCar, GrabFood, and GrabMart to create their own unique and special kilig celebrations. 

This Feb-ibig trend enabled the leading superapp to fulfill its highest number of bookings for GrabCar in 2024. Furthermore, GrabFood and GrabMart have both completed a record-high number of orders since their respective launches in the Philippines, observing a significant increase in demand not only in Metro Manila but also in cities beyond the capital on February 14, 2024.

Grab Philippines Chief Operating Officer Ronald Roda emphasized Grab’s unique position as a leading superapp and its capacity to meet consumer demand for above-par services. “It is a rare opportunity for a company to be a part of thousands of stories being created by consumers. To be able to power plans around special moments is a responsibility we gladly take. And we fulfill this by leveraging our state-of-the-art technology and platform, and expansive ecosystem of merchants-, delivery-, and driver-partners – empowering every consumer to grab the day with every meal delivered and destination reached,” Roda notes. 

To Pag-Ibig and Beyond: Going Around with Pangga Safely and Conveniently

Romance was not only in the air – it was on the road, too. Filipinos were out and about more last Valentine’s Day. This was demonstrated by a sustained peak in demand throughout Valentine’s week for Grab’s transport services. Among those who booked a GrabCar on Heart’s Day is X-user S, who joins the league of couples with dating app success stories after capping off the night with a safe and convenient ride home with Grab.

Grab has just recently made its ride-hailing services accessible to more Filipinos with the launch of GrabCar Saver, a more affordable transport option on the Grab app. For a slightly longer waiting time, GrabCar Saver passengers can enjoy fares that are up to 15% cheaper than a regular GrabCar ride.

Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice: On-Demand Kilig Dining

The recent Grab Food & Grocery Trends Report revealed that Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest holidays on the Grab platform, with a peak in demand continuing for up to five days following the actual holiday. Sweets and pastry shops on GrabFood were in for a [sugar] rush as top orders on the platform were cupcakes, whole cakes, ice cream and desserts, and baked goods and pastries. GrabMart also played a crucial role in keeping the romance alive by meeting the high demand for top orders such as flowers, meat, wine, and homeware. 

Grab’s Dine-In feature has also experienced a surge in voucher purchases on Valentine’s Day. Serving as a digital foodie guide, Dine-In effectively helps customers discover restaurants within their vicinity, while also providing them a suite of exclusive discounts that they can claim during their actual dine-in transaction. “It’s easier and more convenient to turn plans into actual dates through superapps like Grab – not to mention the cost-effectiveness it offers. With the savings I got through Dine-In, I was able to make my date with my partner more special by adding a few more additional twists to our celebration,” shares college student Pat. 

In addition to the reliability and efficiency of its platform, the increased demand on Grab is also attributed to its viral video that highlights some real-life experiences of those who rely on superapps. The video, titled "Kwento Mo, Gawin Nating Totoo" garnered over 30 million views and 500,000 social engagement –  a reflection of its strong resonance with Filipino viewers. The online video, which was produced with award-winning creatives agency Gigil, illustrates how Grab serves as an effective partner in making things possible for every Filipino moment maker, helping them overcome challenges such as the need for instant gifts and last-minute planning.

GrabCar Launches in CDO Strengthens the City's Commitment to Economic Empowerment

Grab officially launched GrabCar in Cagayan De Oro City as part of its commitment to economic empowerment in the region. The photo above shows Grab Philippines Head of Mobility EJ Dela Vega [Center-Left] with CDO Councilors George Goking, Romeo Calizo, and Malvern Esparcia; and officials from LTFRB Region 10

The leading superapp officially launches its flagship mobility service in Cagayan De Oro, expanding its portfolio of services in the city which is currently composed of GrabFood and GrabTaxi

Grab Philippines, a dedicated partner in the nation-building efforts of the government, is strengthening its commitment to economic empowerment in Cagayan De Oro. With the official launch of its flagship mobility service GrabCar, Grab is not only providing Kagay-anons with a viable transportation option but is also creating a new avenue for generating livelihoods and stimulating economic activity in the City of Golden Friendship.

GrabCar is a beloved and trusted mobility service for Filipino commuters. Built on a foundation of safety, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, GrabCar stands as an effective mobility alternative for the Filipino commuting public. GrabCar currently services the area from Laguindingan Airport up to the end of Lapasan and Upper Balulang. 

Cagayan De Oro is the second city in Mindanao to welcome the GrabCar service,  furthering the leading superapp’s mission to create sustainable opportunities and foster economic growth across the region. 

Grab Philippines Head of Mobility Marketplace EJ Dela Vega shares, “Our superapp model allows us to know and deeply understand Kagay-anons best - from the way they commute through GrabTaxi, to the way they enjoy their everyday meals through GrabFood. Grab continues to be attentive to the needs of the market and we believe that now is the right time to offer Kagay-anons a mobility solution that not only meets their everyday needs but also positively contributes to the long-term success of CDO.”

Cagayan De Oro Mayor Rolando "Klarex" Uy also underscored the strong partnership of the city with the leading superapp. “Cagayan De Oro actively forges partnerships with industry leaders like Grab as we make strides toward our vision of solid economic performance and a thriving citizenry. The launch of Grab in our city has given Kagay-anon entrepreneurs, drivers and riders access to a robust marketplace that fosters high-success potential – something only a superapp ecosystem can offer. We are glad to welcome GrabCar and are excited to see the new opportunities it is bringing for our kabayayans,” Mayor Uy shares. 

The Grab Superapp Journey in CDO: A Long-Standing Commitment to Economic Empowerment

To digitalize the taxi ecosystem in Cagayan De Oro, Grab launched GrabTaxi in 2015. Since then, Grab has been forging close partnerships with key taxi operators in the city. This collaboration has resulted in the onboarding of hundreds of GrabTaxi driver-partners, enabling them to substantially boost their earnings potential through increased bookings facilitated on the platform. 

As Southeast Asia’s leading superapp, Grab has also expanded its presence in CDO outside of mobility with the launch of GrabFood in May 2020. This addition has proven to be instrumental in fostering a thriving ecosystem for local entrepreneurial ventures, regardless of their size. By democratizing access to user-friendly growth tools, cutting-edge technology, and capacity-building programs, Grab has empowered MSMEs to achieve sustainable growth on the platform. One outstanding example of a homegrown CDO merchant-partner that has experienced equitable success on Grab is Frkn Burger. Since its launch on Grab, Frkn Burger has achieved a remarkable ten-fold increase in its average weekly delivery orders and has also opened its second branch. This earned them a well-deserved spot among the prestigious Golden Grab Awardees for 2023.

An Expansive Horizon of Partnership

As a devoted partner for the economic empowerment of the Cagayan De Oro local government, Grab Philippines will continue to leverage its technology, extensive network of highly engaged users, and community-focused approach to unlock new possibilities for growth and prosperity. Dela Vega notes, “The horizon of collaboration between Grab and the local government of Cagayan De Oro continues to be expansive. Together, we're orchestrating a future of sustainable opportunities that create pathways for local everyday entrepreneurs to realize their aspirations. This is a testament to the transformative power of partnership, innovative technology, and the boundless potential of the Filipino spirit.”