That, in a nutshell, is the mission of Petron Corporation when it inaugurated yesterday, the Philippines’ first-ever fitness trail inside the La Mesa Watershed Ecological Park.
Led by former President Fidel V. Ramos, Petron chairman Nicasio I. Alcantara and Petron president and CEO Khalid Al-Faddagh, a number of VIPs formally opened the Petron Fitness and Nature Trail, a 1.2-km long pathway of solid and compact soil inside the Ecopark, where nature lovers and fitness buffs can jog, have a leisurely walk and exercise for free.
Also present were Senate President Franklin Drilon, Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte, former DENR Sec. Elisea Gozun and Petron Foundation executive director Marilou Erni and ABS-CBN Foundation managing director Gina Lopez — all of whom gamely tested the fitness trail.
"We are inviting all fitness buffs and nature lovers alike to check out and enjoy the Petron Fitness and Nature Trail. They need not go very far to enjoy the value of a healthy lifestyle and appreciate the beauty of nature," said Alcantara.
A number of activities highlighted the day-long affair such as a ceremonial run by the VIPs and other guests as well as a family fun run among Petron employees and their family members, tree-planting and an on-the-spot drawing contest for children. More than 200 employees of Petron took part in the festivities. Sen. Pia Cayetano, who earlier took part in the TREEathlon, later awarded the prizes to the winners.
"This is part of our continued effort to care for the environment while at the same time, promoting physical fitness. I am heartened no end that Petron employees are leading the way in this noble cause," said Al-Faddagh, referring to Petron’s support to the Save the La Mesa Watershed project, which dates back to April of 2000 when its employee volunteers planted trees in five hectares of the La Mesa.
Fitness trails, which are known as parcours in Europe, have evolved throughout the years, but most of them are still located in parks or forest settings. The idea is to give the jogger or fitness enthusiast the freedom to do his thing away from road hazards, exhaust and pollution, providing some privacy for the participant and encouraging calisthenics without offering a spectacle for neighbors and passers-by.