7,000 join 'Run for Japan' fundraiser

MANILA, Philippines - Around 7,000 runners joined a fun run in Taguig yesterday that raised funds for people affected by the earthquake that devastated Japan last March 11.

Rovic Canono, co-project head of the “Run for Japan,” said the event raised P500,000, which will be donated to Japan’s Red Cross.

“The bayanihan spirit is very much alive. We are overwhelmed and touched by the support given by the runners,” Canono told The STAR in an interview.

Rafael Santos, one of the event’s project heads, said they did not expect such a warm response from Filipinos. “We were targeting 4,000 participants. We ran out of race kits during the first day of registration. A lot of people were willing to donate money. They really wanted to help,” he said.

“Run for Japan” kicked off at 5:15 a.m. and featured three-kilometer, five-km, and 10-km categories that covered various streets of Bonifacio Global City.

Runners cheered as various theme songs of Japanese cartoons, popularly known as anime, were played during the event. Cosplayers, or people wearing costumes featuring anime characters, also joined the race.

“This is our way of supporting the Japanese people and the Filipinos who are in Japan. It is also for fun,” said Rafael Teodosio, one of the cosplayers who joined the fun run.

Mariedell Jean Tabon, another cosplayer, said she decided to attend the event to support a worthy cause and to express herself.

More than 13,000 people died and about 15,000 remain missing after a 9.0-magnitude quake hit various parts of Japan on March 11. The quake caused a powerful tsunami that killed hundreds of people and swept numerous boats, cars, and houses out to sea.

“Run for Japan” was organized by Canono, Santos, and Jonby Arnaldo of the Greentennial Events Management. The three are graduates of La Salle Greenhills high school batch ’86, which celebrated its silver jubilee last February.

Each participant was asked to pay a registration fee of P350. Part of the proceeds of the registration fees would be used to pay the costs incurred by organizers.

Santos said the popularity of running prompted them to choose a race as a way to solicit donations.

“While the amount raised was not too big, we would like to inform them (Japanese people) about the response of the Filipinos,” he said.

Santos said Greentennial is willing to organize races that would raise funds for needy Filipinos.

“Run for Japan” also provided Japanese expatriates the opportunity to solicit donations that are on top of those provided by the runners. A booth called “Pray for Japan” was set up at the race venue to collect cash donations from participants and spectators.

“Before, Japan provided assistance to the Philippines. Now we can see Filipinos helping the Japanese people. We are very thankful for that,” said Hajime Yokota, coordinator of the fundraisers.

The winners of the race were Jordan Billones (three-km male division), Mary Grace dela Torre (three-km female division), Kimbert Sarmiento (five-km male division), Wossie Mazengin (five-km female division), James Talam (10-km male division) and Janette Agura (10-km female division).