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| (Image Source: iEvents ETC/HUAWEI Philippines/Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation) |
HUAWEI continues its push to connect innovation with meaningful community impact as it partners with Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) and DuckWorld PH to officially launch ‘Tour of Luzon: The Great Revival’. A cornerstone of Asian cycling history, the race first began in 1955 and returns this year to rekindle national pride, regional unity, and wellness through sport.
As a global leader in innovation, HUAWEI has been at the forefront of developing groundbreaking innovations to enhance its user community’s wellness. The leading tech brand also sets its sights on leveraging its expertise to bridge the gap between advanced technology and cultural heritage. From trailblazing smartphones to revolutionary wearable devices, HUAWEI has a wide range of tech offerings that are designed to deliver next-level convenience and offer a smarter way of living through advanced and powerful features. Since 2015, HUAWEI has made remarkable strides in wearable technology, setting new standards in both innovation and style. Renowned for their sleek, fashionable designs and impressive features, HUAWEI’s fitness bands and smartwatches double as fashionable accessories that complement any look and as the perfect fitness companions. In 2024, HUAWEI redefined the wearable experience with the launch of the HUAWEI TruSense System which debuted on the HUAWEI GT 5 Series. Featuring a timeless elegant design and support for over 100 sport modes including cycling, the HUAWEI GT 5 Series blends aesthetics with powerful performance. This partnership with MPTC reflects HUAWEI’s vision where technology can foster connections among the community and promote a deeper sense of belonging. The collaboration highlights how smart technology can enrich shared experiences and empower both global and local athletes across the region. With the Tour of Luzon 2025, HUAWEI reinforces its pursuit of continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation to empower everyday wellness and bring people together. HUAWEI has also partnered with the MPT DriveHub Cycling Team to provide a smarter, more connected race experience for the team. By blending the legacy of Philippine cycling with today’s smart technology, HUAWEI helps uplift and unite communities to drive progress and move people forward.
The Tour of Luzon 2025 was a thrilling showcase of global cycling skills and talent while bringing together the community and celebrating different cultures in one meaningful event. The multi-stage cycling event began last April 24, 2025 at the heritage site of San Agustin Church of Paoay in Laoag City and ended on May 1, 2025 in Lingayen, Baguio City at Camp John Hay. The overall race course wass 1,050 kilometers of diverse terrain in an 8-day race that spanned 7 provinces from Northern to Central Luzon. This year’s revival featured 12 premier Philippine cycling teams, including the MPT DriveHub Cycling Team, and 5 standout teams that include CCN Factory HK from Hong Kong, Malaysia Pro Cycling, Bryton Racing Team from Taiwan, and Gapyeong Cycling Team from South Korea, making it a total of 119 cyclists with each team composed of 7 riders. In the end, it was Joo Dae-Yeong who overcame a killer lap to clinch the overall title of the Great Revival. Joo almost fumbled in the early part of the dreaded 177.54-kilometer eighth stage from Bugallon to Camp John Hay in Baguio City after suffering a tire punctured in Sison, Pangasinan. He got a replacement tire in just 56 seconds and chased MPTC’s Mervin Corpuz who looked set to surge ahead after taking a provisional overall lead of 2:30 with the pack still in in Pangasinan. But Corpuz squandered his advantage in the last 15 kilometers, putting Joo of Gapyeong Cycling Team back in the overall lead and giving Standard Insurance Philippine’s Jan Paul Morales a chance to seize the yellow jersey. Joo stayed with the main pack for most of the stage before increasing the pace in the last 10 kilometers and finishing in 22nd place, just enough to clinch the crown in the race presented by MPTC and DuckWorld PH and backed by Cignal, Pilipinas Live, Meralco, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Maynilad, Metro Pacific Health, Megaworld, Landco, PLDT and Smart. “We had no plans today. We just kept on racing and racing, and we did not look back,” said Joo, who secured the overall title and the yellow jersey from Stage One’s Paoay Ilocos, Norte to Baguio City’s eighth stage with a time of 22 hours, 21 minutes, and eight seconds. He, who placed 22nd in the last lap after trailing five minutes and 17 seconds behind Joshua Pascual who finished first in the tour's last leg, added, “I just took it one day at a time and kept going despite losing my teammates. I am happy to get the job done. This is my biggest victory in a cycling race so far.” added Joo. Morales fell just short of an upset, ending up just six seconds off Joo — the slimmest of margins in Tour history. “I am still happy despite losing the overall crown in my grasp. I had planned to retire upon winning…I will give it a shot next year,” said the 39-year-old.
Nichol Pareja of Victoria Sports Cycling Team ended up fourth, 54 seconds off, with Jeremy Lizardo of Standard Insurance fifth (2:32 behind) and Rench Michael Bondon of 7-Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines sixth (3:07). James Paul Ryan Escumbien (3:34) and Jerico Jay Lucero (3:42) of Go For Gold Cycling Team wound up seventh and eighth while Ronald Oranza of Standard Insurance finished ninth (3:45) and Rustom Lim of MPT Drivehub 10th (3:57). Joo bagged the Php1M (one million pesos) cash prize while Morales and Corcurva earned Php500,000 and Php350,000, respectively. Pascual, who rides for the Excellent Noodles Cycling Team, won the Eagle of the Mountain Award after clocking four hours, 16 minutes, and 14 seconds, beating Morales (2:20 behind) and Carcueva (2:37). The Tour’s great revival is sanctioned by PhilCycling and endorsed by the Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, Games and Amusements Board, BCDA (Bases Conversion and Development Authority) and MVP Sports Foundation. MPTD’s Mervin Corpuz, who started the day second overall two minutes behind Joo, finished 38th overall. Still, Corpuz managed to seize the sprint king award, and Escumbien was declared the best young rider. MPT Drivehub (88:22:02) won the Overall Team General Classification worth Php1M (one million pesos) followed by Standard Insurance Philippines and Go For Gold.
(With words by Josef Ramos, Business Mirror)
