“Blaze a Trail in the Arctic” campaign in conjunction with the FWD North Pole Marathon 2018

FWD sponsors a cancer survivor ready to conquer the top of the world!

This is the coolest marathon ever and will mark another milestone in our country. This is my first time to hear a marathon that will be held on ice and in the coolest part of the world which is the North Pole.

Everbody knows that the North Pole is filled with ice a year around but not everyone knows that a marathon can be done also on the ice.

In this event, we are able to get ideas what runners are going to use during the race and some facts what is going to happen during the race. Let's support our representative and hopefully, he can able to make it and become a champion.

This event will provide a great exposure for FWD to show and change the way people feel about insurance.

20 FEBRUARY 2018, MANILA – FWD Life Philippines, one of the country’s fastest-growing insurers, today launched its “Blaze a Trail in the Arctic” campaign in conjunction with the FWD North Pole Marathon 2018, the world’s coolest marathon which will be held on April 9 this year. FWD is the marathon’s title sponsor.

FWD Philippines will be represented by Louie Sangalang, a multi-sport athlete who engages in mixed-martial arts, boxing, and triathlons. A proud cancer survivor, Louie was diagnosed with cancer of the appendix when he was 21. But instead of giving up, Louie—who has been in remission since 2000—turned to sports and was able to bounce back successfully.

"Louie's resilience in overcoming life’s challenges is one trait that resonates with Filipinos and this made him the perfect choice to represent the Philippines in the marathon," shared Grimes. "His inspiring story and his passion for sports, which he uses to inspire Filipinos to live an active lifestyle,

also best represent what FWD stands for pursuing one’s passions and celebrating life without hesitation. As such, FWD will be providing Louie with insurance protection so that he can embrace

the North Pole Marathon challenge worry-free.”

“I want to inspire my fellow Filipinos with my story. This is why I’m running. I want them to feel empowered, that despite the many challenges that life throws, you can come back better and stronger with the right attitude,” said Sangalang, who will be joining other runners from all over the world, including representatives from other countries where FWD operates: Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Japan.

To help Sangalang, FWD Philippines formed a North Pole Marathon squad who will support his mental, physical, and emotional preparations. Included in the squad are triathlon icon Ani De LeonBrown, who will collaborate with his personal trainer and coach Ige Lopez for Louie’s physical

preparedness; mountain climber Romi Garduce, who will share his insights on surviving extreme  weather conditions; Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan and son Benjamin, who will provide emotional support and motivation; and sports enthusiast and funny man Sam YG, who will help keep the rigorous—sometimes stressful—training, lighthearted and funny. 

FWD will sponsor ten (10) runners from six (6) countries across Asia who will showcase their passion and determination to take on extreme challenges and embrace this experience of a lifetime, traversing the 42-kilometer path with an average temperature of -30 degrees centigrade. The North Pole Marathon is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the “Northernmost Marathon on Earth”.

"As a brand that continues to change the way people feel about insurance, FWD saw the North Pole Marathon as a unique platform to empower people to overcome extreme challenges, to pursue their aspirations without worries, and to ignite their passion for life-enriching experiences," said FWD Life Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Grimes. "With Blaze a Trail in the Arctic as our Philippine campaign promoting the marathon, we aim to encourage Filipinos to live life to the fullest, because we will always have their back!”

Marathon and campaign updates will regularly be made available via the official website: npmarathon.fwd.com.ph