Celebrities to grace Philstar.com foot race

MANILA, Philippines - Personalities from the entertainment, political and business sectors are expected to join the first marathon event organized by philstar.com, the online arm of the STAR Group of publications, on Oct. 11 at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Dubbed the “Philstar.com’s Celebrity Run 2009”, the event aims to help fund the computerization projects for Philippine public high schools under the GILAS (Gearing up Internet Literacy and Access for Students) program. Gilas is a multi-sectoral initiative composed mainly of corporations and non-profit institutions, spearheaded by the Ayala Foundation.

“It (fun run) also aims to bring together members of philstar.com’s online community and give them the chance to run with celebrities,” philstar.com general manager Katrina-Sandejas Manosa told a press conference, which was also attended by members of the blogging community, yesterday at the Paul Calvin’s Deli restaurant in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

Heading the celebrity roster, according to Manosa, are Christine Jacob-Sandejas, Maricel Laxa, Anthony Pangilinan, Gary Valenciano, Rovilson Fernandez, Marc Nelson, Claudine Barreto, Raymart Santiago, KC Concepcion, Piolo Pascual and Drew Arellano.

Business tycoons Jaime and Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Fred Uytengsu and Lance Gokongwei are likewise expected to see action in the event backed by Adidas, Yahoo! Philippines, E-Games, Brazilian Agaricus, Crocs, Nutribar, Smart, Coppertone, Aqua Blue, Sport Beans, Timex, Chris Sports, Vitwater and One Tagaytay Place.

Media partners include Action & Fitness magazine, Men’s Health Philippines, Women’s Health Philippines, Magic 89.9, Jack TV, Jobstreet, Chikka, People Asia, The Philippine STAR, NU 107 and takbo.ph.

The event, the proceeds of which will be handed over to GILAS, will feature 3k, 5k, 10k and 21k races.

“We thank philstar.com for helping us in our cause,” said Chet Palma, Gilas manager for private sector fund-raising.

Registration is ongoing at the ROX, Bonifacio High Street, Taguig, 2nd Wind, 88 Maginhawa St., Teacher’s Village, Quezon City, Crocs Stores (SM Megamall, Trinoma, SM Mall of Asia), Chris Sports (Glorietta, Festival Mall) and Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) office, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila.

Registration fee is P350 for the 3K, 5K and 10K runs and P450 for the 21K race. Deadline for listup is on Oct. 9. For details, log on to www.philstar.com.