To mark birthday, city dad to hold fun run

CEBU, Philippines - Instead of throwing a party to mark his 62nd birthday on October 26, Mandaue City Councilor Demetrio Cortes Jr. would instead hold a fun run to generate funds to finance a mass feeding program for identified undernourished schoolchildren in public schools in the city.

The Demetrio C. Cortes Jr. Fun Run will be held on October 23 at 4:30 a.m. at the Parkmall at the North Reclamation Area. A registrant gets a singlet after paying the registration fee of P150.

The run will be divided into three categories, namely, 12K, 6K, and 3K.

At exactly 5 a.m., the race will kick off for the12k, and will be followed by the 6k and three 2k races.

The proceeds will directly go to Leonard Wood Elementary School in barangay Jagobiao where in 2008 Sarah Walker launched her "Busog Talino" program in partnership with the Jollibee Foundation.

However, if the run will draw many sponsors, other identified schools in the city, which have undernourished pupils such as the elementary schools in Maguikay, Labogon, Banilad, Pagsabungan, and Umapad, will also benefit from the mass feeding program.