We Made it!
And we’re just simply so proud of it!

First-Time Runners: me and Che at the Finish Line

This momentous event happened last October 10, 2010 (10-10-10) where 116,086 river warriors joined the said event. With this number, it definitely made its way to the Guinness World of Records for the most number of participants in a single race. It broke the previous record of 110,000 runners at the “Bay to Breakers” race in San Franciso, California way back in 1988.

this is how thousands of people started the run. Quite crowded, right?

The run was available in three categories 10K, 5K, and 3K w/ 3 starting points for the participants – Mall Of Asia(3K), Cultural Center of the Philippines(5K), and Ayala Avenue in Makati(10K). There was also a 21K Ceremonial Run which was exclusively participated by members of the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines. Registration fee was Php250.00 for individuals and P100.00 for students, and members of PNP and AFP.

The 10.10.10 Run for the Pasig River was spearheaded by ABS-CBN Foundation’s Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP). The event was gunned to create more awareness to clean up and save Pasig River. Reports say that 10-12 million peso fund was raised which will be used of course to rehabilitate the flow of water in Ilog Pasig and to restore its cleanliness and beauty.

It’s time for the Filipinos.
It’s time for us to move. It’s my turn to do something. (Our side of the story).
I really did not know why but the first time I heard about this run, I am 100% sure that I am definitely gonna join.

We just got these race kits in Bench at Robinson’s Manila Branch. And yes, see that? We got ourselves a 5K kit. Aren’t bad for beginners ayt? 😛

However, the main conflict I really had was with my work schedule since I am working in call center and my shift ends at 5:30, have i mentioned that the gunstart starts at 5:30am too? I am nothing of a superwoman to run that fast to CCP. Good thing I have good friends who fetched me from the office. Well, it was not really advisable to bring a car that day since all the roads were closed, the inevitable traffic jam here in the Philippines of course was present and the lack of parking space. But despite all these, at least we made it! 🙂

It was just my first time to participate in a run and I found this fun-tastic experience very cool and rewarding. By the way, this is the evidence that I ran for 2 kms already. Hehehe Perstaym eh!

Yehey! Naka-2 kms na ako! Uwi na ako! Hehe joke

The number of participants were pretty overwhelming. I found it so unbelievable that I was surrounded by hundreds of thousands of people, yet so peaceful and lively. It was very unbelievable that once again Filipino from different walks of life proved that we can be united for a big cause. It was simply amazing that each of us are becoming participative for the advocacy for the environment.

from L-R: an obvious not-so runner type sacrificed under the heat of the sun to do her share for the environment, some walk hand-in-hand, and a cutie who ran with his dog

10.10.10 The Aftermath
After everyone reached the Finish Line at SMX MOA, a mini concert was held where ABS-CBN stars performed and thanked all the river warriors. The mini-concert were hosted by Luis Manzano and Karylle. Jovit Baldivino also performed before the crowd singing his version of “Faithfully”. Melason was also there giving the pawisang crowd some kilig moments.

the stage was set-up at the SMX area(at the back of MOA)

Karylle and Luiz Manzano

Jason and Melai performing

There were a lot of booths too. Of course, made possible by the different sponsors of the run.

My favorite was the Photo Booth. It’s not for free though, it was for Php20.00/copy. But definitely worth the price to capture the memories of this historical event. Ehem, this picture is a proof that I was part of the 10.10.10. It was cool.

As for the souvenir, a bracelet that was given to all the runners after the race. The bracelets were made by the Calauan Community where former estero residents were relocated.

My souvenir from the 10.10.10