JCI Run to Lead for benefit of 'Break the silence'program

CEBU, Philippines - All roads lead to the Plaza Independencia this Sunday morning for the ‘2nd Run to Lead, Run for a Cause’ initiated by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Cebu-Mactan Channel.

Proceeds of the race will go to ‘Break the silence’, a deaf child sexual abuse prevention program spearheaded by the Gualandi Volunteer Service Programme (GVSP), Inc. and ‘Read to Lead’ campaign by the JCI.

“This is to continue our crusade against unsolved cases of sexual violence against the deaf,” said GVSP program manager John Pal Ecarma Maunes during a press conference the other night at the Tokyo Room of Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.

The organizers made special mention of the unsolved case of Cherame Gitgano, a 17-year-old deaf-mute from Lapu-Lapu City who was raped and murdered in June last year.

“This run is in memory of Cherame,” said Maunes. “Our goal is to provide security and equal rights to the deaf. We will go to the different SPED centers in Cebu to help train our hearing impaired brothers and sisters in identifying potential abusers.”

The race features the 3K, 6K and 12K categories.

Registration fee is pegged at P300 for regular runners and P250 for students. A 20 percent discount will be given to persons with disabilities and senior citizens.

Entry forms are available at Runnr in Ayala Center-Cebu and Body Fitness Club in Talisay.

A day before the fun run, JCI-Mactan Channel will hold a football tournament at the San Roque Parish field in Brgy. Subangdaku, Mandaue City.

For more inquiries, one can contact 0922-8782315 or e-mail at [email protected]. - THE FREEMAN