Ambassadors of Wellness running for home, health and environment on March 21 at the Makati Central Business District. From left, Elmer Santiago, Leo Boyles, Edwin Ylescupidez, Wilson Caisip and Anne Fernando (photo by PINGGOT ZULUETA)

Filipinos saw the joy in running and the benefits that one can derive from it, yet, it was only a couple of years back when races are held almost every month grabbing the limelight away from badminton. Also, each run is themed accordingly to suit a cause that could attract a multitude of runners from every nook and cranny of the metro.

With this in mind, Globe Telecom Inc., in partnership with Ayala Land and Habitat for Humanity recently convened its second wave of Run for Home. According to Wilson M. Caisip, head of the Human Resource Employee Programs, Run for Home is a charity fun run that is geared towards building houses for the informal settlers.

Aside from the efforts at poverty alleviation, the company is also making use of another innovation that could further promote environmental protection — the use of singlets made from 100 percent recycled PET fabrics. “The singlet is an innovation of Revolve who turned plastics or PET bottles into plastic flakes, processed to become chips into filament yarn and staple fiber, thus, the use of the singlets saves us the use of fossil fuel, landfill space and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.”

For this year’s run, ambassadors of wellness have these stories to tell:    

Age doesn’t matter     

For 57-year-old Edwin Ylescupidez, his sedentary lifestyle when he was younger made him rethink about his health when he grew older. He would wake up very early and spend a few hours jogging every other day before going to work and eventually, this became his routine for 25 years and still counting. 

He shares that the few hours he spend in running made him more active and energized while at work and says “I believe in a sound mind and healthy body and if your body is healthy, you are energized to work more efficiently and (consequently) encourage others to do the same.” 

Strong and determined yet feminine 

Anne Fernando reveals that her husband calls her crazy for joining the 21K race even though she just finished the 10K race two weeks prior.  Experienced runners would say that such feat is not impossible but Anne is a newbie with barely three weeks training when she joined.  And her husband may have a point since she tells that he is an ultra marathoner who accomplished 42K in 14 hours already.  Yet, the 32-year-old Anne is determined. 

Running and family bonding

Leo Boyles is 5’11” and enjoys playing basketball. But the strenuous physical activity in basketball took a toll on his joints that his doctor advised him to run for a couple of hours every week to strengthen it. Also, during the time when he was not playing basketball, his weight bloated to more than 200 lbs. from the usual 150 to 160 lbs.  This added to Leo’s worries that when his friends encouraged him to run, he heeded without second thoughts.

Running improves health and determination

“There was a point (in my life) that I told myself that I would not run.  I would just bike,” says Elmer Santiago.  Elmer used to play basketball during college but he saw himself on the sidelines when he injured his knee. He underwent a knee surgery to fix the ligaments and soon after, he was back in the ball game yet, he injured his knee again. Starting with a few hundred meters then 1K to 3K and so on, Elmer soon built his stamina and endurance in running until he saw himself joining a 21K race. 

Thus, as Menchi Orlina, Globe Chief Marketing Officer puts it, “Globe-Ayala Land Run for Home 2010 is about bringing people together to share that sense of achievement and the enjoyment of doing something they love, and then using that collective passion to make a difference in the lives of others.” 

This year’s Run for Home will be held on March 21, 2010 starting at 5 a.m. on Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas, Makati, CBD. This charity event aims to raise funds for the beneficiaries of Habitat for Humanity. Runners can choose from 3k, 5k, 10k, 15K and 21k races. For registration, please visit www.globe.com.ph/run.