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

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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.

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.

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

Cahilig’s award-winning short films now streaming internationally on CinemaWorld

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The multi-talented Chris Cahilig wears many hats—producer, director, public relations entrepreneur, talent manager, published poet, and political adviser.

As president of Insight 360, Cahilig runs one of the most influential public relations, marketing, and social media consultancy firms in the Philippines. And through his agency’s subsidiary, Insight 360 Films, Cahilig has crafted full-length movies and short films, made riveting for their plots, characters, and purpose.

Chris Cahilig

The road to Cahilig’s personal nirvana, however, is paved by a string of award-worthy short films, earning for him the title, “King of Branded Shorts”. This close to home as Cahilig’s short films have reaped honors at local and international film festivals.

And now CinemaWorld is showing three of Cahilig’s select short films across Asia various traditional pay tv and streaming platforms.

A multimedia entertainment company incorporated and headquartered in Singapore, CinemaWorld is an international movie service showcasing award-winning movies, box office hits, and critics' favorites from around the world—the "first and only pan-Asian movie service to do so.” Launched in 2012, CinemaWorld has rapidly gained audiences in territories that include Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines.

Believing in the “articulating, emotive, and transcendent power of films to touch people’s hearts,” CinemaWorld gives immense value to films, features, and shorts—and their filmmakers and audience. This led to the launch of CinemaSHORT, a service expansion that aims at the trendier and younger—including the young minded—audience. As a platform, CinemaSHORT showcases quality short films from young and independent Asian filmmakers.

CinemaWorld describes the short film industry in Asia as a “largely untapped but incredibly dynamic industry.” And to Cahilig’s acclaim, CinemaWorld found not just one, but three gems in its archives: Cahilig's branded shorts titled ‘Pitaka’, ‘The Belt’, and ‘The Bully’.

Featured in CinemaWorld is Chris Cahilig’s most viewed short film on YouTube so far, “Sinturon” or “The Belt”, with 44.5 million views, which tells a daring and fun story focused on the theme of marital fidelity.

According to CinemaWorld, Filipino director Chris Cahilig’s award-winning works were chosen to be part of CinemaSHORT as these well-produced short films show a deeper meaning behind them. As the movie service points out, “The underlying themes of brotherhood, loyalty, and the dangers of bullying are well woven into the screenplay, making Cahilig’s stories highly relatable.”

CinemaWorld likewise asserts that short films are vital tools in telling the stories of ordinary people. “Connecting audiences from different parts of the world to beautiful films is our mission, and CinemaSHORT provides a unique curation of short films that often reflect untold stories from various regions."

Cahilig’s “The Bully” is a short film that dared to discuss the socially-relevant dangers of bullying, and the harm it can cause to the victims and the perpetrators–also now on the international platform CinemaWorld.

Cahilig shares his excitement on the opportunity to be part of all this. “I believe short films have the capacity to make indelible marks in the industry. This was affirmed when my short films went viral locally and earned international recognition. “And now CinemaShort’s streaming of ‘Pitaka’, ‘The Belt’, and ‘The Bully’ once more attests to how my short films were remarkably written, shot, and produced.”

“Pitaka” or “The Wallet” is one of Cahilig’s most memorable and award-winning short films, narrating the tale relatable to many Filipinos–a hardworking brother determined to work and provide for his younger brother, and how the latter strived to thank the former for his perseverance.

To date, Cahilig is one of the most sought-after Filipino directors for his seamless blend of branding and well-told stories. His short films have succeeded not only in promoting brands but also in drawing millions of organic views.

For instance, “Pitaka” (The Wallet) tells the story of a hardworking brother who is determined to put his younger brother through school. Competing in over 15 international film festivals across the globe, “Pitaka” has garnered over 40 million views on various social media platforms, including Facebook.

Known Filipino film critic Tito Valiente lauded the film for its exquisitely crafted storytelling. In his film review, he said, “The whole drama works and well-thought-out advertising can be engaging.”

A must-watch for high-school students, “Pitaka” uses Filipino poetry to add depth to its story. This, and the film’s excellent cinematography, handed “Pitaka” the following awards: Best Digital Ad Category at the 40th Catholic Mass Media Awards and Best Illustrated Poem in the 2018 Wales International Film Festival. “Pitaka” also made it to international film festival screenings in the US and Italy.

Featuring a more daring and fun storyline, “Sinturon” (The Belt), Cahilig’s most viewed and most viral branded short film, now has 44.5 million organic views on YouTube. Its theme of marital fidelity also created a loud buzz on social media. Netizens mentioned the effective use of the belt as a metaphor, and cited the plot twist as a noteworthy storytelling device.

Finally, “The Bully,” Cahilig’s socially relevant and heart-rending short film, tells the story of an alumnus returning to his alma mater to talk about bullying and its consequences, only to evoke a scene that haunts him to this day.

“The Bully” has been tagged as a must-see for students and their parents as it tackles the age-old issue of bullying and its deleterious effects on mental health.

All told, CinemaWorld affirms the exceptional qualities of these short films. "Their relatability, down-to-earth and simple narratives, combined with the talent of the cast, crew, and director make them the right fit for CinemaSHORT. We are happy to have Director Cahilig’s works in our platform."

For his part, Cahilig vows to continue partnering with brands to bring meaningful narratives to life, especially through short films.

“Pitaka,” “Sinturon,” and “The Bully” are now available to watch in various territories in Asia through CinemaWorld.