Grab gave a special surprise to GrabCar driver-partner Randy Paredes to allow him a Christmas bonding with his family, instead of working on the road. Through the Make a Wish Program, a family salu-salo was arranged using GrabCar Group Ride and GrabFood Party Platters. This is part of the Grab Buo ang Pasko initiative thanking driver-partners.
Randy Paredes, a GrabCar driver-partner, typically works on Christmas Day to provide more for his family, resulting in missed time with them. According to his daughter Paula Jane, their Christmases used to start with attending mass, but now he chooses to drive due to high passenger demand. “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,” she said.
Before becoming a driver, Randy worked four years in Kuwait as a lineman and technician, missing his daughter's graduation. “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,” he shared.
In the surprise event, Randy thought it was just a simple media interview, while his family was secretly taken to a destination via GrabCar Group Ride. As he recounted his story, his family waited in another room, and the salu-salo was prepared through GrabFood Party Platters. “Dati na-surprise na namin siya, umiyak siya. So sabi namin hala, maiiyak si Papa kung ma-susurprise siya [ngayon],” Paula Jane said.
This is part of Grab and MOVE IT's Make a Wish Program, which started in October and grants wishes like gadgets or pampering. This Christmas, three drivers were selected for family bonding. Dane Fajardo, head of driver engagement at Grab Philippines, said: “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... 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.”
