July 23, 2024
6,000 runners join Tzu Chi’s Charity Run for Education
By Joy Rojas
When Christine Joy Reyes and her friends were deciding on which road race to join for the month of July, they chose the Tzu Chi Charity Run for Education. “We run for fitness and to have fun, but when we saw Tzu Chi’s event, we thought, “Why not run for a cause too?’” says Reyes, who ran 5K.
Via Antonio needed little convincing to register. “Running for a cause is automatic for runners like me,” she says. “We have the passion to run for physical activity, and at the same time run for kindness and to support the activities of Tzu Chi Foundation.”
“I’m thankful to be here,” says journalist Jorge Cariño, who ran 5K with his wife Daisy. “I was able to run, and I saw how many of us want to help the scholars of Tzu Chi.” “We all need education,” adds Daisy. “It can’t be taken from us by anybody, so keep studying.”
Six thousand runners had the same idea when they signed up for the fundraiser held on July 21 at the grounds of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. With 1K, 3K, 5K, and 10K categories packed to the gills, participants clearly wanted to run with a sense of purpose.
The run’s proceeds will go to the foundation’s Educational Assistance Program, which has been providing generous scholarships and allowances to disadvantaged youth since 1995. At present, the program supports 1,700 scholars from Davao, Leyte, Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo, Pampanga, Bicol, Zamboanga, and the National Capital Region.
“The Tzu Chi Foundation is very thankful to all the runners who supported this event,” says Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez, who was moved by the huge turnout—as well as the requests to accommodate more runners when entries sold out just before race day. “For every 50 runners running, one scholar is supported for a whole schoolyear. What we are witnessing today is the overwhelming kindness everyone has in their hearts for the youth of the Philippines. I’m so touched beyond words.”
Runrio president and CEO Rio de la Cruz, was just as amazed at the volume of runners who not only joined but stayed after the race—for pictures, raffle prizes, and to explore and sample the offerings of the wide variety of sponsor booths. “I’m hoping they will join again next year,” says the race organizer. “I think the experience that they got from this race [is unique]. Aside from doing their regular runs, they also helped the foundation. We are grateful that Runrio is part of this amazing event.”
Tzu Chi made quite a mark in its first venture into road races. Aside from turning over all proceeds to charity, the foundation employed a number of Earth-friendly initiatives. T-shirts (for 1K participants) and singlets (for 3K, 5K, and 10K runners) were made of polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, material processed from single-use plastic bottles.
The real game-changer, however, was the collapsible, reusable cup made of wheat straw that was in every runner’s race kit. Runners were encouraged to bring the cups and use them at water stations, thereby eliminating the need for single-use plastic and paper cups.
For the first time, there were no crumpled and crushed cups to clear after the race. “Zero!” exclaims De la Cruz. “I’ve been roving around and I’m very happy because there’s no garbage along the routes. At the same time, our trash is segregated. Of course, it wouldn’t be successful if not for Tzu Chi volunteers. I hope this becomes the standard for runs, that we don’t produce trash. And if we do, because it can’t be avoided, we recycle.”
Ultimately, the run left a lasting impression on everyone for different reasons. For scholars, it meant the continuation of their studies through the support of thousands, many of them strangers who simply wanted to back a worthy cause. For the Tzu Chi Foundation and Runrio, it affirmed the power of an event to inspire change and influence people to adopt healthy habits like exercise, disposing trash, and helping without expectation.
For runners like Christine Joy Reyes, Vita Antonio, and Jorge and Daisy Cariño, Tzu Chi’s Charity Run was an opportunity to come together and help without expectation, much like Tzu Chi volunteers. Says Reyes, “I’m just a small percentage of the effort. But it’s very fulfilling. What matters is all of the people joining forces for a cause.”
And they’re off! Tzu Chi’s first Charity Run for Education on July 21 at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, attracted 6,000 participants of all ages in its 1K, 3K, 5K, and 10K race categories.
And they’re off! Tzu Chi’s first Charity Run for Education on July 21 at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, attracted 6,000 participants of all ages in its 1K, 3K, 5K, and 10K race categories.
And they’re off! Tzu Chi’s first Charity Run for Education on July 21 at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, attracted 6,000 participants of all ages in its 1K, 3K, 5K, and 10K race categories.
And they’re off! Tzu Chi’s first Charity Run for Education on July 21 at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, attracted 6,000 participants of all ages in its 1K, 3K, 5K, and 10K race categories.
And they’re off! Tzu Chi’s first Charity Run for Education on July 21 at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, attracted 6,000 participants of all ages in its 1K, 3K, 5K, and 10K race categories.
And they’re off! Tzu Chi’s first Charity Run for Education on July 21 at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, attracted 6,000 participants of all ages in its 1K, 3K, 5K, and 10K race categories.
And they’re off! Tzu Chi’s first Charity Run for Education on July 21 at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, attracted 6,000 participants of all ages in its 1K, 3K, 5K, and 10K race categories.
Tzu Chi scholars kept runners at the starting line of every race category.
Tzu Chi scholars kept runners at the starting line of every race category.
Runners warm up with stretches before the start of their respective race categories.
Tzu Chi Charity Run for Education was co-organized by Tzu Chi volunteers led by Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez (sixth from left) and Runrio president and CEO Coach Rio de la Cruz (seventh from left).
Drummers from the Wushu, Dragon and Lion Dance Team of Northern Rizal Yorklin School performed before runners were released in their respective race categories.
Drummers from the Wushu, Dragon and Lion Dance Team of Northern Rizal Yorklin School performed before runners were released in their respective race categories.
Spotted at the Charity Run: (from left) Betty Chua, Ambassador Francis Chua, Dr. Jo Qua, and Dr. Bea Ang
Spotted at the Charity Run: Tzu Chi volunteer and former Tzu Chi scholar Jamil Carvajal
Spotted at the Charity Run: Volunteer doctors of the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA)
A blind participant uses a cane and the company of friends to cover 5K.
Tzu Chi scholars help award medals to finishers.
Tzu Chi’s Department of Communication’s very own Matt Adrian Serrano finished third among the men in the 1K category of the Charity Run.
Runners proudly show off their finisher's medals.
Runners proudly show off their finisher's medals.
Runners proudly show off their finisher's medals.
Flanked by Charity Run hosts Jane Sy (first from left) and Spencer Sze (first from right), Tzu Chi scholars Sydney Alipao (second from left) and Cherrie Rose Ang (second from right) explain how a scholarship from the foundation changed their life.
Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez answers questions from the media.
Tzu Chi scholars perform after the race.
Participants of the 1K category receive a free breakfast from Tzu Chi volunteers.
Runners drank out of collapsible wheat straw cups. Because of these reusable cups, were no single-use plastic or paper cups littered on the road.
Runners drank out of collapsible wheat straw cups. Because of these reusable cups, were no single-use plastic or paper cups littered on the road.
Twenty vendors offered free taho (soft tofu with tapioca balls and caramelized sugar syrup) and used breadsticks baked by Tzu Chi Bakery instead of wooden or plastic spoons.
The Tzu Chi Charity Run for Education photo wall was quite popular with the runners and volunteers.
The Tzu Chi Charity Run for Education photo wall was quite popular with the runners and volunteers.
The Tzu Chi Charity Run for Education photo wall was quite popular with the runners and volunteers.
Tzu Chi Davao volunteer Nelson Chua (second from right) brought more than enough bananas from his Davao Farm for the event.
Tzu Chi Davao volunteer Nelson Chua (second from left) helps distribute bananas at the Tzu Chi booth.
“I’m just a small percentage of the effort,” says 5K finisher Christine Joy Reyes of her helping send a Tzu Chi scholar to school. “What matters is all of the people joining forces for a cause.”
Tzu Chi volunteers and scholars gather for a group photo outside the University of the Philippines' Palma Hall following the successful staging of their first Charity Run for Education.