9/9/9 Run

I have always believed that the number nine (9) is a lucky number. That’s why I have looked forward for the date 9/9/9 to come because deep inside I always felt like it will bring with it good luck three times over.

coach joar putting the iamninoy runners' banner at the Ninoy Aquino monument

And so it was on Wednesday, Sept 9, 2009 (yep! 9/9/9). My first luck of the day was being able to get the nod to get out of the office earlier, enabling me to participate in the Heroes Run organized for the iamninoy runners. The Heroes Run, as it was called was a tribute run made to commemorate the 40th day since the death of former President and every Filipinos’ “Tita”, Corazon C. Aquino. Heroes run because the run route was along the Ayala Triangle in Makati which will make us run past three heroes’ monuments – that of Gabriela Silang, Pio del Pilar and Ninoy Aquino, Tita Cory’s martyr husband.

marga and the balloons

banggi, marga and i

mayi and jamike lopa

francis briefing the runners

Next luck came not just for me but for the whole iamninoy runners group as well because the rain stopped and the sky almost cleared from around 4:30 p.m. until all were done running at 6:00 p.m. (some did run an almost infinite number of loops!).  

and off we go!

that's our 'slogan" at the back of our shirts

along makati ave

Prior to the start of the run, each iamninoy runner was asked to write down/pledge the number of loops he/she is going to run, each loop measuring 1.2km. This gives us again the opportunity to be heroes in our own little way because for each loop that each of us complete, a P100 donation will be given by a corporate sponsor to the 57:75 Movement. So on that lucky triple nine date, over 30 runners ran a minimum of 3 to 5 loops each sharing the luck to a number of unknown public school children who will be beneficiaries of the 57:75 Movement’s cause.

after the run

ben, jun and bobby

Oh and it was, I believed not just luck but some sort of a miracle because you see, after the run, a heavy rainshower poured. Somebody just made sure that we will be able to complete our run before it rained again. Angaling!

group shot

Lastly, I was also lucky to have been able to attend the after-run get-together at Dencio’s Restaurant. I usually would not have been able to because it was a Wednesday and I have work early the next day. But then, I did and enjoyed it! (Tenk yo biri mats! Tenk yo biri mats! – Banggi, wahahaha!)

In hindsight, I remember my mom always telling me to capture special moments or days on cam. We have one for 8/8/8, I remember. And it gives me joy to see now that I have a lot of memorable 9/9/9 pictures which shows us doing something for a worthy cause.  :)

after run Gtg at Dencio's

If you would like to know more about the iamNinoy Runners Group or if you are interested in joining, click here.

Many thanks to Mayor Binay, Ayala Land, Gatorade, and Ben Chan and Maui Hidalgo of Blacksheep Photography!

Thanks also to Jaymie, thebullrunner for some of the photos.

So Long Tita Cory

I am what people can consider as a “Martial Law Baby” having been born in the early 70′s (oist, computing for my age already? hehe!). This makes me already a high school student when Cory Aquino was seated as the first woman Philippine president. I was already in my early teens when Tita Cory gifted our country with democracy. Suffice to say, I knew her pretty well as the country’s president and as our country’s political icon. That’s why I am one of those who was deeply saddened to have learned that she already passed away because it almost felt like I lost someone pretty close to me, like a mother or an aunt…

click on the image to go to the iamninoy Runners Movement site

This morning, most of my runner friends and members of the iamninoy Runners Movement ran in honor of dearly departed former President Cory Aquino. I would have joined in any of the runs (different runs were organized by groups in different venues) but sadly, I was still not given the full clean bill of health by Coach Joar last night when I went to the ULTRA hopeful that I will be able to train. Saying that I still look sick and might need to rest a little more, I heeded his advice and my friends who were there at the ULTRA too.

So today, although my mind and heart were with those who were running, I contented myself with just staying at home, getting all the rest that I can and glued my eyes to the television to watch the live telecast of Tita Cory’s funeral. This is with the thought that I will really need to be healthy soon so that come Urbanite evening, I can run donning my iamninoy shirt in effect honoring the late Tita Coryand taking on my part as a member in the advocacy of the running group.

For those of you who would like to still join and run for the late former President Cory, i believe the group of takbo.ph still has one run scheduled at around 6pm tonight. You can check out the takbo.ph site for details.

For those of you who have ran this morning, that was a very nice gesture for you guys, I am glad for all of you.

As for me, I still am watching for updates via television with regards to her funeral. Even at home, I have this firm resolve to be able to see through what happens to her until she is laid to her final resting place.

Farewell Tita Cory, thank you for showing us all a fine example of how to live a full life. One that is God-centered and filled with humility, compassion and selflessness. You will never be forgotten.

iamninoy Runners Movement – An Update

hand in hand in helping reverse the education crisis

As the iamninoy Runners Movement’s Steering Committee continues to move and make arrangements for the finalization of all pertinent details related to the group and its objectives, a major event was held in the afternoon of May 28, Thursday at the Filipinas Heritage Library in Makati.

iam ninoy runners movement members

On this day, iamninoy Runners Movement members (that includes me!) went to the venue, proudly wearing our iamninoy runners’ shirt, to witness the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the group and its beneficiary, the 57-75 Reverse the Education Crisis Movement.  This formalized the iamninoy runners group’s intent to help provide and improve the quality of education to the children of less privileged families.

The MOU signing was participated in by the heads of the companies that are a part of the consortium that formed the 57-75 Movement, the Benigno S. Aquino Foundation and the group’s Steering Committee, which was composed of Jaymie Pizarro (The Bull Runner), Rapa Lopa, Jamike and Mayi Lopa, Jake de Guzman, Drew Arellano and Francis Macatulad.

Jake de Guzman giving his speech

After the formal signing, which was covered by representatives from the tv and print media, a short talk/presscon was started with Jake de Guzman opening it with an inspiring speech. The group’s Steering Committee and some convenors of the 57-75 movement openly answered all questions regarding the two movements and its objectives. During the said presscon, it was announced that several events are being lined-up for the year to further increase awareness and gather support. One such event which is currently on the drawing boards is targetted to happen on August 21, hero Ninoy Aquino’s death anniversary.

iamninoy runners

The iamninoy Runners are a group of professional and amateur runners affiliated with the iamninoy movement. Coming from all walks of life, iamninoy Runners will participate in regular running events—and occasionally mount races of their own—to raise funds for a worthy cause. To become a member, one will just have to pay a donation of 500 pesos which will go to a fund to be used to buy textbooks for children in public schools, build schools and help provide nutrition to school children. In return, each person who will sign-up for membership will be given an iamninoy runners’ shirt, the same one that we are wearing during the said event and during our training runs or everytime we participate in races.

To know more about the movement or to join, click here.

Oh, and as an update, for those who have already signed-up online and are wondering what to do/what happens next, the steering committee are now also finalizing the registration process which will initially be held at the Rudy Project Store in Bonifacio High Street, The Fort. The shirts to be given away are already available and will be released once registration at the said venue is opened. Don’t fret folks, target for this is this month of June.

More photos:

jaymie, the bull runner answering a question abt women runners

during the presscon

jun, jay and marga having a light moment

mayi, jaymie, jay, marga and jun