Second day: Wednesday, March 02, 2011. The second day of our three day stint with Rio, and this time around we were brought to a quaint place that I’ve never been to—the Filipinas Heritage Library (FHL) in Nielson Tower, Ayala Avenue for the media launch of a familiar event, the Globe Run for Home 2011.
The Heritage
Nielson Tower is formerly an airport tower back in the day when Ayala Avenue’s segment from Paseo de Roxas to Makati Avenue was a runway of the Nielson Airport, the first airport built in Luzon and touted as the biggest and best-equipped in Asia when it was inaugurated in July 1937. It is a two-story concrete structure designed to resemble an airplane from a bird’s-eye view, and in 1996 it finally and officially became the permanent home of the Filipinas Heritage Library.
For something so historic sitting on some of the most expensive real estate in the country, we could say that we’re lucky that it still stands and is well preserved. It’s also nice that the Ayala Foundation, Inc. had found a good way of repurposing the site without sacrificing its historical significance. For someone like me whom had passed the area several times before I was really surprised that I didn’t notice such an important structure—I guess all we see are the towering sky scrapers of Ayala Center!
The Run
Of course we were in FHL not to read books or engross ourselves into history (but it sure gave a great added ambiance)—we’re there to witness the launch one of the major running events in the country, the Globe Run for Home 2011. And this year, more new feats are being introduced by RunRio including live Facebook status updates and four beneficiaries for runners to choose from. Here’s the official press release:
THE biggest race to be staged in the first quarter of the year—the Globe Run for Home 2011—hits the road at the crack of dawn on March 27, 2011 with a sea of humanity expected to fill the Bonifacio Global City, each eager not only to breast the tape but to take part in an endeavor that will benefit the less fortunate.
With the registry books already filling up after the online registration via www.globe.com.ph/run which started in February 21, 2011, the Globe Run for Home 2011 is once again starting to fulfill its promise that racing in a fun-filled environment could be transformed into a more fulfilling event – both in body and heart.
Each participant pays a registration fee with a modest amount going to the various partner-institutions for the race. Compared to the previous two races, Globe Run for Home 2011 will now have 4 beneficiaries. They are Gawad Kalinga, Habitat for Humanity, Haribon Foundation and Virlanie Foundation. Registration fees are pegged at ₱650 for 3K, ₱750 for 5K, ₱850 for 10K, ₱950 for 15K and ₱1,050 for 21K.
The registration fee entitles runners to their race singlets available in various sizes, D-tag race chip, race bib number, runpix analysis, downloadable photos, and finisher’s medal (21K category). And just like in its past two stagings, the Globe Run for Home 2011 will again use singlets made of 100 percent recycled PET plastic bottles. No other running event in the country has done that, thus adding the environment as fifth beneficiary.
Apart from sharing a portion of the race proceeds to 4 beneficiaries, this year’s Run for Home is also putting up a platform close to its heart in order to generate more donations for its partner-organizations. Through Globe GCASH, runners participating to this year’s Run for Home can encourage their respective circle of friends, families and loved ones to support their run by donating to their beneficiary of choice. To know more about GCASH and to register for an account, Globe and TM subscribers may simply call 2882 free from their mobile phones or log on to www.globe.com.ph/gcash.
To donate, text DONATE AMOUNT MPIN INSTITUTION CODE and send to 2882. Institution codes are GK for Gawad Kalinga, HABITAT for Habitat for Humanity, HARIBON for Haribon Foundation and VIRLANIE for Virlanie Foundation. Donors have to make sure that they have enough GCASH credits in their account to be able to push through with the donation.
Since running has become a bonding activity among officemates, friends, and barkadas, group runners are also encouraged to join—with a special treat. For groups of four running in the same category, they will be allowed to bring in a fifth member for free.
Apart from the online registration at www.globe.com.ph/run, participants could also register and pay through cash at the Run for Home 2011 physical registration booth at the 4th Floor Cinema Lobby of Greenbelt 3 in Makati City that opened from February 28 to March 20, 2011. Race kits of runners paying in credit card will be delivered to their respective addresses while those paying in cash may claim their race kits at the on-site registration booth from 12 noon to 8 p.m.
Gun start for the race categories are as follows: 5:00 a.m. for the 21K, 5:15 a.m. for the 15K, 5:30 a.m. for the 10K, 5:45 a.m. for the 5K and 6 a.m. for the 3K. Participants who will miss the start will forfeit their chance of winning but could still run in the race.
Cash prizes will be given to top finishers. For 3k, 1st place gets ₱3,000, 2nd place gets ₱2,000 and 3rd place gets ₱1,000. For 5k, top finishers get ₱5,000, ₱3,000 and ₱2,000 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place respectively. For 10k, top placers get ₱7,000, ₱5,000 and ₱3,000 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd placers respectively. For 15k, 1st place gets ₱10,000, 2nd place gets ₱7,000 while 3rd place gets ₱5,000. For 21k, top place gets ₱15,000, 2nd place gets ₱10,000 and 3rd place gets ₱7,000.
For inquiries about Globe Run for Home 2011, e-mail r4h@globetel.com.ph.
The Beneficiaries
Since runners were assigned the arduous task of picking which beneficiary part of their fees go to, it’s better to have some idea on what each institution does. To give you some idea here are some brief introductions to the beneficiaries of the Globe Run for Home 2011:
Gawad Kalinga is building communities to end poverty through its holistic community development programs (community empowerment, community infrastructure, child and youth development, health, environment and food sufficiency) by driving a culture of caring and sharing in different sectors of society, we will be able to end poverty for 5 million families by 2024.
Habitat for Humanity Philippines (HFHP) is a non-profit organization that serves Filipinos families in need of decent homes. We bring together partners who share the same vision of transforming lives through building responsible and sustainable communities.
Haribon Foundation is a non-profit membership organization committed to nature conservation through community empowerment and scientific excellence. It has been in the forefront of environmental protection and sustainable resource management in the Philippines. Haribon is guided by its vision to take the lead in caring for nature with the people – for the people.
Virlanie is all about giving back the smile to street children. For 18 years, it has provided abandoned, neglected, abused and orphaned children who were found living in the streets with a home, education and the opportunity to become responsible and self-sufficient contributors to society. Through its 12 homes and 13 programs, Virlanie cares for more than 1,100 children every year.
Globe Run for Home had consistently been one of the best races in the country, and now runners have the option to choose their beneficiaries. Choose wisely, and prepare well! 🙂
Coming up, the “grand finale!” One more day with Rio…
T-Rio “Trilogy”:
- Day 01: Photo-shoot, Party, and the Pouring Rain
- Day 02: The Heritage, the Run, and the Beneficiaries (Globe Run for Home 2011)
- Day 03: The Establishment of a New King (of the Road)
runningpinoy 
Hmmnn.. I never knew that there was an airport here before. Nice trivia Dhenz 🙂
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Actually I thought it was just a legend until I got this structure as proof 😀
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