Smile Train to compete in Ironman

MANILA, Philippines — Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft charity organization, will field in a group of runners from various sectors headed by former beauty queen and actress Carlene Aguilar in the Ironman in Subic Bay on June 3.

The group aims to generate funds for poor Filipino children with untreated clefts.

“I’m not just doing what I love, which is sports, I also get the chance to give kids hope and it’s my way of giving back,” said Aguilar in yesterday’s press briefing at the Maximus Athlete’s Shop Café in Mandaluyong.

It will be the third time Aguilar, who took up marathon two years ago before shifting to duathlon, triathlon and eventually Ironman, is competing in the Ironman to help raise funds for the operation of 100 children.

Plastic surgeon Gene Tiongco has also volunteered not just to do operation for free but also to join the races and help in the fund drive.

“I’ve been doing these for years as a volunteer and I’ve decided to join the race myself because running is really my passion,” said Tiongco.