Philhealth Fun Run “an overwhelming success”

Monday 6th of February 2012

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato Feb. 6 (PIA) -- “It was an overwhelming success,” says Dr. Miriam Cynthia Pamonag, Philhealth 12’s field operations chief, referring to the Philhealth Fun Run - The Mindanao Run for Hope held here yesterday morning.

Some 3,667 runners had registered for the 3K, 5K, 10, and 17K runs in Koronadal City. Hundreds more were allowed to join the fun run despite failure to register.

Philhealth 12 only aimed to gather 2,000 registered runners for the activity.

Among the runners are children, students, marathon runners, athletes, employees of government and private offices, and local government officials of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces.

Local officials were led by South Cotabato Governor Arthur Pingoy Jr. and Koronadal Mayor Peter Miguel who both took the three-kilometer run along with other councilors from Koronadal and Isulan town.

Also present were Mayors Efren Piñol of Magpet, North Cotabato; Romulo Solivio of Surallah, South Cotabato; and Diosdado Pallasigue of Isulan, SK.

The biggest contingent came from the 1002^nd Brigade of the Philippine Army based in Malungon, Sarangani.

“Beyond the number of participants we are more elated by the fact the people enjoyed the activity,” Dr. Pamonag said.

“They are happy because they know that they ran not only to have fun but also to save lives of children suffering from cancer,” she added.

Part of the proceeds of the fun run will be donated to the Children’s Cancer Center and Blood Diseases Unit of the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).

SPMC, located in Davao City, is the largest tertiary hospital in Mindanao and the only hospital facility in the island that can deliver multidisciplinary care for children with cancer.

The Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth situated in Tupi, South Cotabato will also receive donations from the proceeds of the fun run.

RRCY is being managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development -12 (DSWD). It is a residential facility for children and youth in need of interventions such as children in conflict with law and those who are victims of abuse, drugs, and those in similar situations.

Philhealth 12’s Regional Vice President Ramon Aristoza Jr., said, besides raising funds for SPMC’s cancer and blood diseases unit, the activity was also geared to promote running as an important part of a healthy lifestyle.

“We believe that in this effort, we need to involve the private sector under the concept of corporate social responsibility,” he said.

For the fun run in Koronadal Philhealth was assisted by several sponsors including ABS-CBN, Dole Philippines, All Card Plastics Philippines, Nature’s Spring, Rite Med, Smart Communication, KCCFI - a cooperative based in Zamboanga City, Ace Centerpoint, St. Elizabeth Hospital of Gensan and many others.

Philhealth also got support from professional basketball star Kenneth “Captain Marbel” Duremdes” who stood as Philhealth 12’s poster model for the activity.

Philhealth Fun Run – The Mindanao Run for Hope was simultaneously conducted in six cities: Koronadal, Butuan, Cagayan de oro, Marawi, Zamboanga, and Davao. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)