Fun run for five patients on September 9

RUNNING, jogging and walking buffs can just do that - run, jog or simply walk on September 9.

That’s when the city’s village chiefs, under the Samahang Barangay Pangkalikasan, will fire off a five-kilometer fun run around the Rizal Elementary School.

That’s where Elenita Soriano used to teach in the fourth grade class. That’s why the fun run will begin and end at the school grounds, with donated cups and cups of hot coffee, tea and pan de sal awaiting the participants at the finish line.

If you plan to run for cash prizes, forget it. While the registration ticket distributed to the different barangay halls is pegged at P200 per runner, the amount raised will go to teacher Elenita and four others who are suffering from serious ailments like cancer.

That’s why acting chairman Mike Arnaiz of the SBP and the other barangay captains dubbed the fun run – or jog and walk – a “Run for Life 2”. The first fun run for life they did recently, for three cancer patients of Outlook Drive Barangay, grossing over P50,000 at the end of the course estimated at three kilometers but actually longer.

That’s when senior citizen Thoma Calasicas, the former village chief of Teachers Camp-Cabinet Hill, finished the course on top of the other elderly. He left before they could present his first-finisher medal, knowing what was of import was his involvement. He’s a cinch to run again on September 9.

With more passion, as teacher Soriano, a solo mother who’s fighting cancer and is bed-ridden, together with her children, was his former constituent at Teachers Camp.

The September 9 Run, Jog or Walk for Life will also be for burn victim Geoffrey Alipio Malag of Upper Dagsian, cancer patient Ma. Elena Rimando of T. Alonzo St., car accident victim Tommy Fabro of Engineer’s Hill, and cancer patient Jacklyn Onal of Outlook Drive.

You really don’t have to run, jog or walk to be of help. You can go to any of the multi-purpose halls of these barangays and buy one or more tickets from the staff of “Kapitanes” Edward Lumasang of Teachers Camp Cabinet Hill, Maria Clarence Lingwayon of Upper Dagsian, Arnold Alimbuyao of T. Alonzo, Jerry Sales of Engineer’s Hill, and Arnaiz of Outlook.

Tickets are also with village chiefs Michael Lawana (also director of the Benguet Electric Cooperative) of Lower Dagsian, Wilbert Ponce of Andres Bonifacio, Ricardo Mendoza of Pucsusan and any of the other grassroots leaders under the SBP.

Additional rules will be issued soon, to include forms for the waiver, especially for minors who also feel the need to run, jog or walk for a cause.

Meanwhile, people who would like to help , perhaps with cash donations or to provide coffee makers, coffee, tea bags, sugar, cups, drinking water for the stations along the way, or to direct traffic or whatever, may contact the following: Mike Arnaiz - 09297699644, Rizal school principal Brendalee Celino – or 09084615663 the information division of the city mayor’s office – 442-2502/09167778103. (Ramon Dacawi)