Runners from communities around this free port literally ran the extra mile recently to raise funds for indigent Aeta children in the Subic Bay area.
The event, which was organized by the Lincoln Lodge 34 of the Free and Accepted Masons in Olongapo City, was sanctioned by the Department of Education (DepEd) and supported by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Ayala Land’s Harbor Point mall here.
According to lead organizer Jordan Dizon, proceeds of the run will benefit some 200 Aeta children now under the care of the Saint Francis Learning Center School for the Aeta, a non-government organization run and operated by Franciscan sisters in Mangan-Vaca, Subic, Zambales.
He said that each peso raised from the registration fees in the fun run will be used to purchase school supplies and other necessities for the children in the Center.
“We expect that proceeds from this year’s event will surpass the P120,000 that we raised last year. This will be a big help to these children from various remote Aeta villages in Zambales and whose parents are so poor that they cannot afford to send them to school,” Dizon noted.
At the same time, Dizon lauded the DepEd for endorsing the event to public schools in the Olongapo City and Zambales, and also thanked the local police and the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) for sending participants.
“The remarkable support of the SBMA for the 2nd Independence Run has made the event bigger and more exciting for the participants, as well as for the spectators,” he also said, pointing out that the event drew a total of 1,570 runners.
SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia, meanwhile, reiterated his agency’s commitment to help in the development of sports in the country by hosting sports events in this free port and assisting organizers in planning and implementing their events in Subic.
“As we gear up towards sports tourism in the Subic Bay Freeport, we also help develop discipline and good health, especially among the youth, and this is one contribution the SBMA is proud of,” he said.
Meanwhile, Olongapo City vice mayor and race director Rolen Paulino said the 2nd Independence Run was dominated by some of the best athletes in the country today.
Paulino said the winners in the 21-kilometer men’s division were Roveno Javier, first place, with a time of 1 hour, 23 minutes and 47 seconds; Ronny Rosete (1:25:14), second place; and Christian Denothia (1:33:03), third.
In the 21-kilometer women’s division, first place was won by Monica Torres (1:38:29); second, Karen Marie Bregger; and third, Jesselyn Morales (2:13:06).
On the other hand, the 10-kilonmeter men’s race was bagged by John Leerams Chicano, champion; Michael Abad, second; and Rogel Anajao, third. The women’s 10-kilometer run, meanwhile, went to Rinalyn Santos, first; Christine Levi Gaspas, second; and Jady Dine Cantores, third.
Those who led the 3-kilometer race for men were Alvin Dionisio, first place; Clyd Drefferd Supnet, second; and Florentino Navalta, Jr., third. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)
PHOTO:
Participants in the 2nd Independence Run at the Subic Bay Freeport join to raise funds for Aeta school children.
0 comments:
Post a Comment