Behind the Wheel and Order: Meet the Drivers Living the Stories of Grab’s Viral Short Films

Grab’s wide-ranging programs, from financial aid to wellness and family support, transform the livelihoods  of partners like Ronni and Mary Joy; and fuel shared prosperity across communities.

Now in its second year, “Itatawid, Ihahatid” continues to spotlight the often-overlooked dedication of Grab’s driver- and delivery-partners — everyday heroes who go the extra mile not just for passengers and customers, but for the families who rely on them.

This year’s campaign features two viral short films inspired by real stories—those of a senior GrabCar driver and a determined female GrabFood cyclist. More than just testimonials of grit, these stories reveal a shared reality among drivers and riders: behind every booking is a mission, one that transforms individual journeys into opportunities for entire families.

In the heat of a Manila afternoon, 63-year-old Ronald “Ronni” Petterson grips the steering wheel of his GrabCar with precision. He is simply a dedicated transport professional and father still providing. Meanwhile, 22-year-old Mary Joy Flores leans over the handlebars of her bicycle, weaving through traffic with practice. A GrabFood delivery bag is strapped securely to her back, but the real weight she carries is more profound: the needs of five other lives that depend on her.

They come from different generations, but Ronni and Mary Joy are bound by the same road — one paved by Grab’s expanding ecosystem of support for its driver- and delivery-partners. Through financial programs, digital training, education assistance, and emergency aid, the platform is building more than livelihoods. It’s helping build futures.

Ronni Petterson, 63: A New Chapter Behind the Wheel 

Ronni’s face may be familiar to some. The former corporate trainer and television extra has always been a man of many roles — but perhaps none as meaningful to him now as being a GrabCar driver-partner.

“I get to meet people, help them get where they need to be, and still provide for my family. At my age, that’s a gift,” he says.

More than a job, Grab has offered Ronni the tools to thrive. He is a regular user of GrabAcademy, the company’s in-app learning platform where he picks up tutorials on customer service, digital literacy, and financial management. “The videos are there anytime I need them. That’s important, especially for someone like me still catching up with the digital world,” he says.

Like many partners, Ronni also turned to GrabFinance’s GrabAsenso Loans during a period of financial need. “It’s deducted gradually from my daily earnings — you hardly notice it, but before you know it, you’re done paying. That kind of flexibility matters.”

In the first quarter of 2025, Ronni was among the thousands of partners who received Ka-Grab Rewards – Grab’s incentives scheme for its top performing driver-partners – entitling him to performance incentives, vouchers, and discounts at pharmacies like Generika. “They text me when I can claim my discount. I just show up, no hassle,” he smiles.

For Ronni, the road ahead isn’t just about driving — it’s about staying an active, productive, and proud senior citizen on the road. 

Mary Joy Flores, 22: Delivering Hope with Every Order 

Mary Joy has worn many hats: construction worker, computer shop attendant, and more. But none of those jobs gave her the consistency, flexibility, or empowerment she now finds as a GrabFood cyclist.

As the breadwinner for her baby and four younger brothers, every delivery is part of a larger mission: “After December, I was finally able to buy shoes, school bags, and uniforms for my siblings,” she shares.

Like Ronni, she tapped into GrabFinance’s GrabAsenso Loans during tough moments — micro-loans designed with partners like her in mind. Instead of a rigid credit check, the platform assesses her in-app performance and earnings. “I wouldn’t qualify for traditional loans. But Grab sees the work I do,” she says.

In a world where financial access often excludes the very people who need it most, this inclusion is a lifeline. It means her siblings stay in school, meals remain on the table, and hope is always within reach.

Programs Rooted in Malasakit and Mobility

Grab’s social impact ecosystem extends well beyond Mary Joy and Ronni. In 2024 alone, millions worth of emergency aid was distributed through GrabCare and MOVE IT Malasakit programs, providing immediate relief during medical emergencies and natural disasters.

Through the GrabScholar Program, the children of driver-, delivery-, and merchant-partners have been awarded over 900 educational grants and 18 full-ride scholarships — empowering the next generation with opportunities their parents once only dreamed of.

Stability, too, is in the company’s blueprint. The Grab Kaagapay Program now subsidizes Pag-IBIG contributions for thousands of partners in Metro Manila and Cebu, unlocking access to housing and calamity loans.

Each initiative echoes the company’s deeper commitment: to invest in partners not just as workers, but as people — providers, students, caretakers, and community members.

One Ride at a Time, One Family at a Time

As Grab’s viral short films under the “Itatawid, Ihahatid” campaign capture the quiet heroism of its driver-partners, real-life stories like Ronni’s and Mary Joy’s remind us that behind every journey is something more. A parent’s love. A child’s dream. A second chance. A lifeline when it’s needed most.

Ronni and Mary Joy represent the power of platform work coupled with support, mobility not just in transit, but in life.

And through Grab, they are not only getting there — they’re bringing others with them.

Grab Opens Doors for Future Leaders with Expanded GrabScholar Program

 

Grab Philippines Country Head Ronald Roda [center] spearheads the official launch of GrabScholar Batch 3

The leading superapp is now accepting new GrabScholar applications

Grab Philippines, together with partner and co-facilitator Bagosphere, is once again ready to welcome a fresh batch of applications for its GrabScholar program. This new cohort will mark the third generation of Filipino GrabScholars since the program's official launch in the country last 2023.

GrabScholar is a three-pronged program that covers full-time college scholarships, bursary support for educational needs, and a career acceleration pathway for aspiring Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) professionals. 

The latest iteration of GrabScholar covers full-ride merit-based college scholarships specifically for three- and four-year degrees in Business, Sustainability, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) at any college or university in the Philippines. It also extends bursary support from Kindergarten through Grade 12. 

With these updates, the leading superapp intends to create professional pathways for the next generation of leaders in the abovementioned fields. Grab is geared to provide more meaningful support to its college scholars by connecting them to training, mentorship, internship, and potential employment opportunities within the company.

GrabScholar is part of Grab’s broader GrabForGood initiative, aimed at creating opportunities for social progress and growth for more Filipinos, and Southeast Asia at large. 

Grab Philippines Country Head Ronald Roda shares, “I am fortunate to have had the privilege of accessing education through scholarships. As the son of educators and a scholar from elementary to graduate school, I deeply understand the transformative power of educational opportunities. Through the  GrabScholar Program, we will empower more of our young and hardworking Filipino students with access to quality education. We hope that this program will widen their  path towards achieving their dreams.”

In this batch, Grab will be awarding full-ride merit-based scholarships to six freshmen college students and providing School Expenses Aid worth PHP 2,500 to 300 K-12 students. The leading superapp is also co-funding scholarships for a fellowship program for 150 aspiring BPO professionals.

Among the scholars from the program’s second batch is Sophia Sy, a college GrabScholar taking up BS Medical Technology at PHINMA-St. Jude College Manila and the niece of GrabCar driver-partner Mary Sy. Sophia shares, "There are many Filipino students like me who are determined to achieve our aspirations. However, despite their passion and hard work, many lack access to essential opportunities to pursue academic goals. GrabScholar has bridged this gap for me, and I express my gratitude through my hard work and commitment to excellence as I finish my Bachelor’s Degree –  a step closer to my dream of becoming a medical doctor."

"Sophia’s story is a testament to how Grab’s positive impact on its driver community goes beyond just providing livelihood. It extends to transforming the lives of their loved ones for the better," Roda adds. Sophia joins the community of Filipino GrabScholars, which is now composed of 12 full-ride college scholars, over 600 bursary awardees, and 300 BPO Skills training graduates.

Interested applicants for the third batch of GrabScholar can visit this link for more information. 

Grab Advance Booking: Stress-Free Airport Transfers in the Philippines

Traveling can be stressful, especially when it comes to navigating airport logistics.  From packing to paperwork, the last thing you want is to worry about getting to the airport on time.  Grab, recognizing the need for reliable airport transportation, has launched its latest service: Advance Booking.

Guaranteed On-Time Rides: 

Grab Advance Booking offers guaranteed on-time rides to the airport using the GrabAirport fleet. This eliminates the anxiety of missing your flight due to transportation delays.  EJ Dela Vega, Head of Mobility at Grab Philippines, explains, "We understand the need for reliable airport transportation, and Advance Booking provides travelers the peace of mind they deserve. It's more than just an airport transfer; it's a guarantee that you'll arrive at the airport on time, every time."

Benefits of Grab Advance Booking:

- Plan Ahead: Book your ride up to 7 days in advance or as late as 2 hours before your scheduled departure.

- On-Time Assurance:  Driver-partners are guaranteed to be on time, and in case of service disruptions, a replacement driver is quickly assigned.

- Courtesy Credit:  If a driver is late, passengers receive a Php-100 courtesy credit.

- Grace Period:  A 15-minute grace period allows for minor delays or unforeseen circumstances.

- Easy Booking:  Select "Advance Booking" on the Grab transport page, enter your details, and receive regular updates about your ride.

- Driver Communication:  45 minutes before your pick-up, you can chat with your assigned driver in-app.

Safety and Convenience:

Advance Booking rides can accommodate up to three passengers with three pieces of luggage.  Grab prioritizes safety and convenience, ensuring a comfortable and secure journey.

Protecting Driver-Partners:

To safeguard driver-partner income, Grab has implemented measures to address last-minute cancellations.  Passengers who cancel less than an hour before the scheduled pick-up time will be charged the full fare.

Expansion and Availability:

Currently, Grab Advance Booking is available for trips to Metro Manila airports using the GrabAirport fleet.  The service is expected to expand to other cities and regions in the second half of 2024.

Grab Advance Booking offers a worry-free airport transfer solution for Filipino travelers.  With guaranteed on-time rides, convenient booking, and a focus on safety, Grab is making airport travel less stressful and more enjoyable.

For more information, visit the Grab Help Center.

Grab cools down thousands of street workers, delivery riders on Labor Day

Thousands of street workers cooled down at the Grab Palamig Spots, enjoying refreshments as they take a much-needed break from the intense heat of the sun.

The leading superapp provides relief to street workers and delivery riders enduring the summer heat in Quezon City, Cebu City, and Davao City

In honor of Labor Day, Grab Philippines has cooled down thousands of street workers and other skilled professionals at its Grab Palamig Spots. 

In light of the cautionary heat indices averaging 39°C to 40°C in Metro Manila, Davao, and Cebu, the Grab Palamig Spots were strategically stationed in high-traffic and accessible locations across these regions: Quezon City Memorial Circle, Agdao Public Market, and the SM City Cebu Terminal. The spots served as cold and convenient rest stops for street sweepers, traffic enforcers, delivery riders, and other workers who spend their days under the heat of the sun. 

Cooling down these street workers, the Grab Palamig Spots maintained soothing temperatures as low as 16°C in its mini-lounge areas. And in a world where 'cooling down' is typically associated with the color blue, the leading superapp has reimagined it in a vibrant shade of green – offering green summer coolers like flavorful avocado and buko pandan ice creams, and crowd-favorite sodas and sweet tea drinks to its Palamig guests. 

Various refreshments were given away for free to the Grab Palamig Spots guests

Grab worked with the local government units of Quezon City, Davao City, and Cebu City in inviting the hard-working street workers to visit and take a refreshing break at the Grab Palamig Spots. To encourage its own delivery-partners to recharge at the spots, the leading superapp also activated special push notifications and GrabMap Pins guiding them to the exact location of the cold rest stops. 

Grab sent out push notification to nearby delivery-partners to invite them to drop by Grab Palamig Spots

The Grab Palamig Spots, an initiative under Grab’s No Sweat Summer campaign, is a manifestation of the superapp’s commitment to enabling all Filipinos to go through the hot season conveniently and hassle-free – with much-needed breaks and moments of respite in between. 

Showing Up for the Community

Understanding the impact of the intense summer heat on workers who make their living on the road, Grab’s very own delivery-partners volunteered to help in the distribution of the coolers to the guests at the Grab Palamig Spots. The Grab Ugnayan Advocates – a network of delivery-riders focused on community outreach, scoured the areas where the Grab Palamig Spots are to invite and assist street workers as they cooled down with Grab. 

Grab delivery-partners enjoy some refreshments as they lounge at the Grab Palamig Spots

Big Daddy, an Ugnayan Advocate, shared how he empathizes with the country’s street workers. “Ang laking epekto sa amin ng init, lalo na madalas kaming nakababad sa init ng araw. Kaya saludo ako sa mga kapwa ko rider at mga kagaya naming mga naghahanapbuhay sa kalsada. Noong narinig ko na may ganito tayong espesyal na kaganapan para sa amin at sa iba pang manggaawa sa daan, agad-agad naming napagdesisyonan na tumulong kahit sa papaano mang paraan,” Big Daddy shares. 

The Grab Ugnayan Advocates are volunteer delivery riders focused on conducting community outreach activities

Prior to volunteering at the Grab Palamig Spots, the Ugnayan Advocates have been going around in select pit stops that are famous among delivery riders to give away free refreshments to their colleagues – regardless of platform affiliation.