HOPE IN MOTION, INDEED

Days before, a storm was threatening to put a damp on SOS Children’s Villages Philippines’ spirits as they prepared for their biggest event of the year. It was however by either luck or divine intervention that the sun shone its brightest that perfect Sunday morning. And the race was on!

October 5 saw more than a thousand participants—young and old—join the Hope in Motion 3 Fun Run/Walkand take themselves to task, braving the routes chosen for them for the spirit of fun, sportsmanship, camaraderie and most important, advocacy. The said event was held for the benefit of the 941 children under SOS Philippines’ care and the 4,075 beneficiaries of its Family Strengthening Program. Coming together for this noble cause were various schools, employees representing private companies, local government units, non-government organizations and families and individuals. A bulk of these runners/walkers came from the event’s co-presenter, the Muntinlupa City Government, led then by Head of Community Affairs Rolando Espina who represented Hon. Aldrin L. San Pedro. Adding competitive flavor to the fun were participants from the “serious” running community who had the chance to get together again and catch up on one another’s progress in the sport. Several already enjoy celebrity status of sort with fellow runners recognizing them from their weblogs and calling out their aliases. Some active runners would afterwards re-take the route for the love of the sport.

A short welcome program was held prior to the races, including warm-up exercises led by fitness instructor Annie Agoncillo assisted by the SOS kids. A simple breakfast was then held post-race followed by the awards ceremony-cum-mini concert that featured the San Beda Dance Troupe, SOS Youth Band and other SOS kids. Declared race winners were as follows:

FUN RUNFUN WALK

3^rd Place3^rd Place

Female: Jaymie Pizarro Female: Veronica Magtira

Male:Michael VillamorMale: Leo Baladad

2^nd Place2^nd Place

Female: Veronique GassmannFemale: Jill Gale

Male: Marlon BolivarMale: Wick Francisco

1^st Place1^st Place

Female: Annie AgoncilloFemale: Edith Tabuso

Male:Alquin BolivarMale: Jun Umbao

A raffle draw completed the event.

Hope in Motion 3 was co-sponsored by Isuzu Philippines (who also provided prizes for the run and walk placers and for the raffle), Hongkong Shanghai Banking Corporation, Gardenia Bakeries (Phils.) Inc., Silog Express, Nestlé Philippines, and the Malayan Group of Companies.The event was also made possible through the help of Mr. David Meisner, Elvie’s Miracle Bed and Massage Clinic, Dr. Jorge Parfan, the Ayala Alabang Village Association, the Brgy. Ayala Alabang and itsSangguniang Kabataan, Food2Go, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Philippines and Prixel Graphics. Special acknowledgment go to volunteers namely the Public Order and Safety Office of Muntinlupa, Lifeline Rescue, the Rosario Parish Youth Commission, Ms. Annie Agoncillo, the Ayala Alabang Village Association Security, Mr. JC Hernandez, the San Beda College Dance Troupe, the SOS Youth Band and other SOS children.

Indeed, it was a day made more special by people who raced not only for the heart but with their hearts in place. Alone, one can make a statement. Together, people make a movement.

Members of Happy Feet take a pose. Photo courtesy of Mr. Jovie Narcise

*For runners’ comments on HIM3, you may visit the following blogs:The Bull Runner , Bald Runner , Bugobugo85 at WordPress , Prometheus Cometh

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Child Rights, Friends, Hope in Motion, SOS Manila, announcement/invitation, award, benefit/fundraising, sports/games |