More than 1,000 runners, including members of the Gotianun family, officers and employees of Filinvest and the Festival Supermall, took part in the "Run for a Child" fundraiser at the Filinvest Corporate City in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Joining them was Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Luwalhati Pablo, Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon and other local government officials.
"The youngest runner was three years old while the oldest was in his seventies. Despite the early morning drizzle, the runners were in very high spirits knowing that each of them would be helping less privileged children," said Marivic Arugay, marketing manager of the Festival Supermall.
In joining the fun-run, each participant contributed an amount enough to support a child for one school year.
Proceeds of the event will benefit the Educational Research and Development Foundation (ERDA) founded by Jesuit priest Fr. Pierre Tritz in 1974.
ERDA extends financial assistance to more than 300,000 indigent children in public elementary schools nationwide. The money is used to purchase books, school supplies and uniforms, and for the transportation expenses of the children.
"Even though elementary public education is free, it is a sad reality that the drop-out rate remains high because the poorest families don’t have enough money to buy school essentials which add up to about P2,000 per year for each child. This is where we would like to help," said Filinvest Group EVP Josephine Gotianun Yap.
The foundation also manages programs in pre-school, technical and vocational high school, tertiary scholarships, livelihood development, health care and shelter for street children and scavengers.
The event also marked the 50th anniversary of Filinvest Development Corp. and the 10th year of the Filinvest Corporate City.