Join FILA and the Athletes in Action Run for the Students of Iligan!

Typhoon Sendong destroyed a lot of properties, including schools, in December 2011. Thus, FILA and Athletes in Action (AIA), an international humanitarian-sports organization, decided to hold a running event to raise funds for the rehabilitation of schools in Iligan City, one of the worst-hit places in Northern Mindanao, where students had to make do with makeshift classrooms as the school year starts.

This coming July 7, 2012, Schools Run for School Rooms (SRSR) will be participated in by around 15,000 runners composed of students from major universities in Metro Manila, groups from government agencies, private corporations and churches, as well as running enthusiasts.The event will be held at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Participants's assembly will be at 4AM before the gun start at 5AM.

According to Jose Andres, National Director of AIA Philippines, "There has always been a lack of classrooms all over the country, and this situation worsened after Typhoon Sendong. Through the help of our partners, we hope to build more classroom, especially in Iligan City." He adds that a classroom is the best place to nurture our future leaders; the next generation of God-loving and nationalist Filipinos.

AIA has over 650 staff members and 7,500 volunteers in 94 countries. Its members are athletes and coaches in the professional, amateur, and collegiate leagues that take active steps to make positive change in the lives of people through sports. AIA International members include the likes of Tim Tebow, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, David Robinson, and our very own Chris Tiu, among other renowned sportsmen.

Partnering with AIA in this endeavor are the GMA Kapuso Foundation and iCare Foundation. The Kapuso Foundation will be the one to facilitate the classrooms' rehabilitation.

To date, 12 universities and colleges have signified their interest to join this advocacy run. These include UP Diliman, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, University of Sto. Tomas, Far Eastern University, University of the East, Jose Rizal University, National University, San Beda College, San Sebastian College - Recoletos, AMA University, and University of Makati. The run hopes to enjoin, and is looking forward to, more participants.

SRSR is co-presented by leading sportswear brand FILA. Its other sponsors include Sony, Gardenia, Cherifer, Oracare, Pocari, Treelizer, and Air Conserve. Media partners are GMA Network, BusinessWorld, and Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Tickets and registration forms are available at SM Ticketnet outlets. Singlets and race bibs can be claimed at FILA Stores in Metro Manila.