Stars walk the talk for a cause

MANILA, Philippines - Leaders say they want change and continuous improvement but do not always do what they say they’re going to do.

So what to do to make sure they keep their pledge?

Make them walk the talk.

That is exactly what GMA 7’s Eleksyon 2010: Tatakbo Ka Ba? fun run made 13 presidential and vice presidential aspirants do on August 30, Sunday, the eve of National Heroes Day at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

With arms linked, former Pres. Joseph Estrada; MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando; Senators Manny Villar, Manuel Roxas II, Francis Escudero, Francis Pangilinan, Loren Legarda, Richard Gordon and Jamby Madrigal; Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay; environmental activist Nicanor Perlas; Kapatiran’s JC delos Reyes; and Jesus is Lord Movement leader Brother Eddie Villanueva did the unity walk towards the pledge walls where they affixed their signatures and posted short messages.

They reemphasized the commitment to support clean and honest elections in 2010 before Comelec chairman Jose Melo by signing a document notarized by Taguig Vice Mayor George Elias with Philippine Bar Association representative Federico Agcaoili and Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting chair Henrietta de Villa as witnesses.

Notarizing the document where the aspirants also vowed not to use public funds or any other property of the Philippines for personal interest, sealed the commitment and turned it into a public record that can be used in court against any one of them should they go back on their word after the election in 2010.

The aspirants were joined in the unity walk by GMA Network board members, executives and officers led by Chairman, President and CEO Felipe L. Gozon, EVP and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., as well as Eleksyon 2010 partners.

“We hope to awaken the consciousness of our people on how important electing the right people to public offices is. Elections are a very serious matter,” said Gozon.

Duavit said, “While there have been similar covenants in the past, this is the first time that such a commitment was made on a legally binding document for all Filipinos to see. I am optimistic that this signals the beginning of a deeper commitment to the electorate and to socio-political change.”

Preceding the walk were a five and 10 kilometer fun runs participated in by more than five thousand runners that included news and public affairs reporters and anchors Winnie Monsod, Kara David, Raffy Tima, Pia Arcangel, Rhea Santos, Jay Taruc, Mariz Umali, Paolo Abrera, Drew Arellano and Kiko Rustia, actors Ricky Davao, Luis Alandy and Paolo Paraiso, and public officials Senator Pia Cayetano and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay. Filipino “Flash” Nonito Donaire led the runners in a prayer then fired the gun to signal the start of the race.

“This is the people’s collective challenge to aspirants to do what’s right. We urge the public to stay vigilant, bantayan po natin ang mga would be-candidates at ang kanilang sinumpaang pangako sa harap ng buong Pilipinas,” said GMA SVP for News and Public Affairs Marissa Flores.

Pop diva Kuh Ledesma sang the Philippine national anthem, Asia’s songbird Regine Velasquez and folk singer and composer Noel Cabangon rendered song numbers. Major network stars led by Richard Gutierrez, Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, also graced the affair. GMA News pillars Mel Tiangco, Arnold Clavio, Vicky Morales and Mike Enriquez hosted the event along with Paolo Bediones, Suzi Abrera, Lyn Ching; VP for Multimedia Journalism Howie Severino and anchor Pia Arcangel hosted the news conference.

VP for News Programs Jessica Soho delivered a short message emphasizing the industry news leader’s commitment to the public it serves: “Nakikiisa ang GMA News and Public Affairs sa lahat ng Pilipinong umaasa ng maayos na pamumuhay at malinis na pamumuno. Hamon ito sa mga tatakbo na kung mahahalal huwag takbuhan ang mga isyung dapat harapin, huwag talikuran ang mga problemang dapat solusyonan.”

Tatakbo Ka Ba officially jumpstarted GMA News and Public Affairs’ elections coverage called Eleksyon 2010.