GrabCar Driver-Partner gets Christmas wish granted: To bond with his family

Editor’s note: This content is sponsored by Grab and was produced by BrandRap, the sales and marketing arm of Rappler. No member of the news and editorial team participated in the production of this piece.

Most families gather around a table for Christmas, catching up on life and enjoying a feast. But some spend the day apart. 

Meet GrabCar driver-partner Randy Paredes, who trades family time during Christmas Day at home for hours on the road. Every year, he chooses work on Christmas Day over resting to provide more for his loved ones. 

His daughter, Paula Jane shared, their Christmas mornings used to begin with hearing mass, but not anymore. “Mas pipiliin niya bumiyahe kasi sasabihin niya maraming pasahero, madaming tao sa labas, maraming namamasyal kasi Pasko. ‘So, i-grab ko yung chance [at yung] opportunity na marami akong ma-book kasi pwede pa naman after tayong magsimba sa hapon.” 

Recognizing the sacrifices of its partners like Randy, Grab wanted to show gratitude in a simple yet meaningful way: a family salu-salo.  

Through GrabCar Group Ride, we booked a special trip for Kuya Randy’s loved ones in secret to a surprise destination. 

Meanwhile, Randy, along with other Grab partners and drivers, thought he was invited for a quick media interview, unaware that their families were already on their way for a special moment.

Together, yet apart

Before becoming a GrabCar driver-partner, Randy spent four years working in Kuwait as a lineman and technician. He worked diligently and was content knowing he was fulfilling his duties to provide for his family. 

After missing his daughter’s graduation in person and celebrating milestones only through screens, he realized what was missing – he longed to be home with his family. 

“Noong nagtatrabaho ako sa malayo, [kapag] may birthday, wala ka. Kumikita ka nga, pero hindi masaya. Iba talaga pag (nandito ako,) kumikita ako, masaya naman ako kasi kasama sila. Kahit papaano, okay lang.” Randy shared. 

As Randy chose to come home, his family was met with another hurdle. Though they spent every night and day under the same roof, his long hours on the road left little time to spend together. What they held onto were the small, warm moments found in rest after a long day of work.

The surprise

While Randy sat down for what he thought was a simple interview, his family quietly waited in a nearby room. Behind the scenes, our team ordered a feast through GrabFood Party Platters. 

As Randy spoke about his journey as a GrabCar partner, his loved ones gathered with anticipation in a separate room, ready to see how he would react. 

“Dati na-surprise na namin siya, umiyak siya. So sabi namin hala, maiiyak si Papa kung ma-susurprise siya [ngayon.]” Paula Jane shared. 

Thanks to GrabCar Group Ride and GrabFood Party platters, the salu-salo came to life. 

Grab Philippines’ head for driver engagement, Dane Fajardo, also had this to say:

“Ang Make a Wish Program ay isang initiative ng Driver Engagement teams ng Grab at MOVE IT, isang makabuluhang paraan para kilalanin ang pangarap at pagsusumikap ng ating driver-partners.

Simula nung October, regular kaming pumipili ng mga grant recipients, na may iba’t ibang wishes, mula tech gadgets hanggang pampering packages. Pero ngayong Pasko, bilang bahagi ng Grab Buo ang Pasko, tatlong driver ang pinarangalan dahil ang hiling nila ay hindi lamang materyal: isang kumpletong Christmas bonding moment kasama ang pamilya.

Nawa’y ang kwento nina Randolph ay magpaalala sa lahat na sa likod ng bawat biyahe at bawat order, may taong masipag na nangangarap para sa pamilya. At dahil sa kanila, mas marami ring Pilipino ang nakakabuo ng sariling Pasko. Sa aming mga rider-, driver, at delivery partenrs, saludo po kami sa inyo.”

Watch the full story unfold in the video. – Rappler.com