FUN RUN FOR A CAUSE. Photo (left to right) shows George Zulueta, executive assistant at the Office of the Mayor in Bacolod City; Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) regional coordinator Edgar Laforteza; PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez; and “GoPilipinasGo! Pep Rally and Fun Run” program in-charge Carmela Arcolas-Gamboa; during a press conference in Bacolod City on Thursday (April 11, 2019. The fun run aims to support Team Philippines in the upcoming 30th Southeast Asian Games. (Photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver)
BACOLOD CITY -- At least 1,000 participants are expected to join the "GoPilipinasGo Pep Rally and Fun Run" led by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) in this city on Friday.
The event, which aims to support Team Philippines in the upcoming 30th Southeast Asian Games, includes 5k and 3k races with winners in the Open, High School and Elementary categories.
Sports Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, in a press conference held at L' Sea restaurant here on Thursday, said that after holding an initial event with the national athletes in Manila last month, the PSC brought the pep rally to Bacolod, which is the first to host the event outside the National Capitol Region.
“We will go around the Philippines to hold this fun run to drumbeat our hosting of the SEA Games in November and to inspire our athletes. We would like to show them the 100% percent support of the Philippine Sports Commission,” he said.
The Philippines will host the SEA Games for the fourth time from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 this year.
Race director Manuel de Oro said the fun run, which offers free registration, will start at 6:30 a.m. from the Capitol Lagoon and will end at the Bacolod Government Center grounds.
Edgar Laforteza, PSC regional coordinator for Western Visayas, said students, running enthusiasts, policemen and firefighters, among others, are joining the event.
He added that the winners will receive cash prizes, and one unit of Huawei smart phone will be given away as grand prize during the raffle draw.
In the 5k Open category, the champion will receive PHP5,000 in cash; second placer, PHP4,000; and third placer, PHP3,000.
In the 3k high school race, the champion will get PHP3,000; second, PHP2,000; and third, PHP1,000 while in elementary category, the champion will receive PHP2,000; second, PHP1,000; and PHP500.
Free GoPilipinasGo shirts will be given out to the first 700 finishers in the 3k run and the first 300 finishers in the 5k race.
Fernandez said that as far as the preparations are concerned, the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee is “on top of the situation”.
“We are just waiting for the signing of the 2019 national budget. I think it will be signed by the President on Monday. Despite the delay, the PSC is committed to support the SEA Games. The PSC chairman (William Ramirez) was given instructions by the President to fully support this activity,” he added.
About 500 events in 56 sports will be played in the SEA Games to be held in several venues in Luzon, including the New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac. (PNA)
