A bank run that's fun & healthy
MANILA, Philippines - This is one bank run that people are looking forward to. For one, it benefits their health, and second, it benefits the foundation Hands on Manila (HOM), an organization that “envisions a community where the spirit of volunteerism prevails and makes a difference.”
In fact, it’s a bank run that is targeting to raise P1 million to give to Hands on Manila’s Galing Mo, Kid! program, which provides high-achieving public elementary school students with additional learning opportunities.
HSBC celebrates its 135th year in the Philippines in November with the “HSBC 135 Run” on Nov. 6, Saturday, at Bonifacio Global City with a 100-meter dash for kids (two age categories: two to five years old and six to nine years old), 3k, 5k and 10k races with the top prize of P25,000 for the 10k winners.
“It’s been nearly 135 years and I’m proud to say HSBC only continues to get bigger and better,” says Tony Cripps, president and CEO of HSBC. “We are committed as ever to providing our customers with the very best personalized service and banking products that they’ve come to expect from the world’s local bank.”
HSBC head of Global Market Wick Veloso, SVP for Group Communications Johanna Garcia, CEO Tony Cripps, and head of Corporate Banking Junie Veloso Cripps himself is leading HSBC employees as he’s running the 5k race. The bank is targeting to have 1,500 registrants, and so far 1,300 runners have signed up — and that’s only from online registration.
While it’s not mandatory for HSBC people to participate in the race, Johanna Garcia, SVP for group communication, says, “We’re getting quite a bit of signup both from the bank and the BPOs. I think we’re going to get a high turnout internally.”
HSBC encourages its employees to join the bank in giving back to the communities wherein it operates through its Corporate Sustainability (CS) programs, which include Project EcoKids, a program launched two years ago with WWF, which teaches Grade 3 public school students about climate change and environmental conservation; Future First, the HSBC Group’s five-year program supporting street children, children in care and orphans; and the HSBC Young Entrepreneur Awards (YEA), an annual business plan-writing competition held by HSBC for the past seven years with the aim to cultivate entrepreneurial spirit in college students. Its programs with Hands on Manila include Kultura Kids, a satellite program in support of HOM’s Galing Mo, Kid! wherein HSBC volunteers accompany public school children to heritage sites and museums, cultural tours, performing arts events, and various workshops.
Johanna continues, “I spoke to a colleague in Cebu who said 10 other colleagues based there have already registered. I said, ‘You guys are flying here?’ She said, ‘No, it’s just our show of support and we want the singlet.’”
What’s so special about the singlet? It was designed by Rajo Laurel who, when asked to do it for HSBC, immediately said yes and then turned to his friends and asked, “What’s a singlet?”
“I’m not a runner, I have bad knees, but all my friends are,” says Rajo. “I figured out how to utilize my aesthetics and incorporate it into the HSBC singlet. I teamed up with people who actually manufacture singlets.”
The singlet uses the HSBC colors red and white, and the cut at the book is a little sexier than the usual singlets seen in road races.
So, why hold a race to celebrate a bank’s milestone anniversary? Tony says, “It’s a nice way to engage people, it’s a little different than just having a party, and it’s fun.”
A rugby player and a runner in his younger years, Tony’s been training for the past month to run the 5k. “I used to run a lot when I was younger in Sydney. I’ve done the 12-km. City to Surf race, which is quite challenging as the course is very hilly. In your 20s that’s easy to do, not so much in your 40s. In Manila, I’ve been running in Forbes Park where there’s not much traffic.”
Why do you run? we ask Tony. “Because Johanna makes me,” he says with a laugh. “It’s a pretty simple answer. Seriously, when I was younger I used to do a lot of sports. Australians love their sports. I run because it’s an enjoyable way to stay fit. I actually haven’t run that much in the last 10 years. So this was a good catalyst for me, which is to say I’d better start practicing to run 5k and meet my target time (25 to 30 minutes). Now that I’ve started doing it again, I’m really enjoying it. The HSBC 135 Run reinforces our commitment to the Philippines, and allows our customers and friends to celebrate our shared success — all for a good cause.”
* * *
There will be food booths on race day and other fun activities. The race pack includes a sports bottle, finisher shirt, baler band, and the limited-edition Rajo Laurel singlet.
Participants may register online at www.hsbc.com.ph or at R.O.X. in Bonifacio High Street, Reebok at TriNoma and SM Mall of Asia, and Royal Sporting House in Glorietta and Festival Mall. Registration closes on Oct. 31.
