Hope in Motion 3: Featuring a Happy Feet Member’s Story on the SOS Children’s Village, 5 October 2008

The Happy Feet

Standing (3rd row L-R): Mikey, Bobby, Deldude
Standing (2nd row L-R): Tiffin, Vimz, Tin, Tisha, Fit Mommy, Running Diva, Let, Queenie, Manokan Express, Wilbert, Photographer on the Run, Glen
Front row L-R: Tanya, Doc Gigi, Mark, Totoy, Runningshield, Tina, Pam

(photo courtesy of Wilbert)

Hope in Motion 3 … what is it all about?

This was a walk/run for the benefit of SOS Children’s Villages Philippines, a non-government organization that provides long-term family care to orphaned, abandoned and neglected children. A Fun Run/Walk was held to celebrate Children’s Month and to raise funds to augment the organization’s Family Strengthening Programs nationwide. A fun walk of 6k and a run of 10k within Ayala Alabang Village.

Below was an e-mail sent by Felipe or Ipe to Happy Feet runners. Read on…

It all started last February when I, an occasional runner at that time was so disappointed that I was unable to run the 10k route, but my bout with laryngitis made me do the 6km walk. I was so disappointed, I asked my staff that we should celebrate Children’s Month in October with a run and a walk.

I met Happy Feet Mark Parco and Doc Oknoy Poblete last February; but not as a Happy Feet.

Anyway, learning from our shortcomings last February and my inputs from the races that I joined. I had the team put together Hope in Motion 3. Mind you guys they are not professional run organizers but a bunch of dedicated amateurs who have learned. I decided not to be nosy with the preparations but I saw to it that we have reasonable water stations and a route that is a legitimate 10k for the run and 6k for the walk.

Since October was Children’s Month, invitations for the walk was for students and those who would like to start a physical activity. Quite a number from the Las Pinas, Paranaque and Muntinlupa are responded. There were around 700 walkers. From the registration, there were more than 500 runners. Far more than we have anticipated.

The final preparations started with the scare of Tropical Depression “Pablo”. Frankly I got nervous and made the team to prepare for a wet and wild run. They were hesitant but I emphasized that this is a “rain or shine” event and only if “Pablo” would inflict damage and make the route hazardous that we will cancel the race.

Our day started at 4:00 am but set up started at 5:30 am. We had the first bunch of registrants from Paranaque and Las Pinas at that time. “Big Del Dude” showed up at around 5:40am; then came Vimma M and Tintin Q; Jesse C and the Inquirer group; the group of Tanya Lara, Master Mon, Sensei John Ting, Doc Gigi Parreno, Mikey M, Bobby C, Jinoe and Queenie, Wilbert, Totoy, Partick Concepcion (aka running shield), Ben Chan (aka photographer on the run), Roselle (aka running diva), Erick and Rollet, Gigi Alcantara (aka the fit mommy), Don Ubaldo, Glenn M (I met your techie friend Chito Orobia and his wife Krissy later), Mark and Tiffin Parco, Jaymie Pizarro (aka The Bull Runner), Annie Agoncillo, Jovie Narcise (aka Bald Runner) and Bugobugo 85. My apologies if I missed some peeps, I am writing this post impromptu from memory.

After the usual pleasantries and warm up the race was on at 6:30 am. My they were fast! But as we reached the 3k mark near Country Club Drive, a number of runners who started like a the proverbial “house on fire” started to “fizzle out”.

Country Club Drive which had most of the hills took its toll on some runners. I saw runners who started fast buckle down and I was able to (much to my surprise) overtake them. At University Avenue (near La Salle), a foreign runner almost had cramps on her calves.

By the time I reached the Madrigal Avenue return route, a number of runners were sapped and started to walk.

I had my best 10k finish for the year. I am sure the other Happy Feet had their PRs. From what I gathered, Jamie Pizarro finished third in the run while Annie Agoncillo topped the women’s group.

The other Happy Feet also had their own PRs. But no matter what, Happy Feet runs for a Happy Feat to be Happy & Fit!

The run may not have been that perfect. There may have been glitches. My apologies, on the Filinvest exit, if the run did not start on time, if breakfast was inadequate, etc.

But this I can tell you. Our children are grateful for your participation. They were buoyed up by your presence. One of them even remarked: “Uncle ang dami pala nating kaibigan at ang saya nila”. But coming from a child who had just been in SOS for less than 2 months made me shiver.

Again, on behalf of SOS Philippines, thank you for participating in the run.