Sportswear brand Fila joins other corporate sponsors in bringing to fruition the aims and objectives of the initiative simply dubbed "Schools Run for School Rooms" (SRSR). Heeding the call of the times, Fila and Athletes in Action (AIA) join forces to bring the biggest advocacy run to help raise funds for the rehabilitation of classrooms in Iligan City that were badly-hit by typhoon “Sendong” late last year.
This Saturday at 5 a.m., Fila and AIA, in collaboration with students from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) member institutions, gear up for the early morning SRSR event.
"Even without this campaign, 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 classrooms, especially in hard-hit areas like Iligan City. A classroom is the best place to nurture our future leaders, the next generation of God-loving and nationalist Filipinos," said AIA national director Jose Andes.
This first-ever student-based fun run is for the benefit of the Filipino youth who were worst-hit by the super typhoon in December 2011. To be held at the Bonifacio Global City, the 3K, 5K and 10K fun run aims to gather 20,000 runners from rival universities and colleges in Metro Manila and other youth organizations to run together for a common cause — that of rehabilitating classrooms in calamity-stricken communities. It's a beautiful unifying event for the benefit of our devastated school children in Mindanao.
With 15,000 runners who have signed up so far, the SRSR marathon will be gathering student-runners from major colleges and universities, to bring a glimmer of hope to Iligan City, where eager students have to do with makeshift classrooms at the start of the current school year in mid-June.
To date, 13 universities and colleges have signified their interest to join the advocacy run. These include UP Diliman, University of Makati, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, San Sebastian College-Recoletos, University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University, Jose Rizal University, San Beda College and University of the East.
Since 1911, Fila traces its roots from Biella, a province set at the foot of the Italian Alps. Unbeknownst to many, this small town brand is big on corporate social responsibility. At the recently concluded 2012 Fila Polo Cup, project "500 for 500" was launched by FILA president Butch Albert to further help typhoon Sendong victims by donating P500 to 500 families from purchases of the Skele-Toes footwear.
Skele-Toes is Fila's latest line of revolutionary active footwear that is on the fast rise. A shoe that changes the game, wearers simply rock at the gym or at the party as Skele-Toes is just about the only shoe that fits.
AIA is also partnering with the GMA Kapuso Foundation and iCare Foundation for this project. The GMA Kapuso Foundation will facilitate the rehabilitation of the classrooms. Marathon tickets are available at SM Tickets and SM Cinemas through www.smtickets.com/event/view/776. Singlets and race bibs can be claimed at Fila stores in Metro Manila. With every purchase of a pair of Skele-Toes and participation at the SRSR marathon, it's definitely more fun to help with Fila. For more information, call 661-6049 or e-mail athletesinaction@huperinternational.com.