We Ran for Children's Health and Nutrition at World Vision Run 2016!

My husband and I believe in supporting advocacies that benefit children because they are our nation's future generations of leaders who need good foundations to become upright citizens in the years to come.

enthusiastic kids who joined the 500m race

On its fifth year, the annual charity event continues to promote a healthy lifestyle through running, while also raising funds to help secure a better future for thousands of Filipino children. This year's World Vision Run, co-presented by Run Rio Inc., not only called for support for children's education but also for their health and nutrition.

Marc Nelson, Miriam Quiambao, and Gelli Victor
before the 10k gun start

Did you know? Malnutrition is still the leading health problem among Filipino children. In fact, according to the National Nutrition Survey, 2 out of 10 kids under the age of five are malnourished and that, each year, 10 million children die before they reach their 5th birthday due to preventable diseases. 

with my barefoot running boys

Last June 26th, three members of our family joined thousands of runners at Blue Bay Walk in Pasay City to participate in various race categories. My husband ran 21k while Gab and I did 10k. The route was new to us and, despite having to cross two flyovers (Edsa and Buendia) along Roxas Boulevard, the road was mainly straight, flat, and fairly easy to navigate.

Christian Bautista was so effective in convincing runners
to sign up as child sponsors! 

It was nice to see a lot of well-known personalities supporting World Vision's advocacy. Aside from Marc Nelson and Gelli Victor, who served as hosts, Kuya Kim Atienza came to do the opening prayer and gave us the day's weather report before the first gun start. Also present were Miriam Quiambao, Dingdong Dantes, Sam Concepcion, Christian Bautista, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Suzi Abrera, and Camille Prats. 

Sam Concepcion entertaining the crowd with his lively performance 

After crossing the finish line, participants were treated to some entertainment numbers by Sam and Christian before the winners were announced. Meanwhile, hubby and I took time to chat with several friends we've known for years as people milled about and joined the various booth activities scattered around the race village.

with our long-time friends G-Jeff and Dex

Before we left the venue, it was good to be reminded that running for World Vision not only meant running for our own health but also for children. Proceeds from the charity event will be used to fund nutrition intervention in areas where chronic malnutrition is most prevalent.

some of the female winners with Jasmine Curtis-Smith,
Camille Prats, and Suzi Abrera

If your heart is led to help a child in need, you can give a one-time donation to World Vision or, better yet, sponsor a child and help him/her finish school! Read more about child sponsorship here, log on to www.worldvision.org.ph, or call 372-7777. 

* photos borrowed from World Vision Run's Facebook page