CALAMBA CITY, Laguna – More than a thousand marathoners were running “scared” in the first-ever pre-Halloween horror fun run and party for a cause “Takbo! Takbo! May Multo! on Saturday night at the City Plaza, where the iconic “kalan-banga” (clay stove and jar) in this city proper stands.
The runners, as old as 78 years old and as young as one-year-old, joined the fun run clad in Halloween costumes replete with make-up for such creepy characters such as zombies, monsters and mythical creatures.
Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) Barangay Cinco Councilor Alpha Amor Opulencia said the first-ever creepy fun run started 6 p.m. and culminated to a pre-Halloween party around 10 p.m. until midnight. It was organized by the SK and Sangguniang Barangay (village council) in Barangay Cinco.
Opulencia said the project initiative was launched as donation drive to help organize youth cooperatives in the city.
“Hangad natin na magkakaroon ng kabuhayan ang mga kabataan at tulungan ang mga out-of-school youths na magkakaroon ng mga cooperatives para sa kanilang edukasyon, livelihood at ibang mga programa (We aim for the youth sector’s livelihood supports and help especially the out-of-school youths to establish cooperatives to support education, livelihood and other programs),” Opulencia said.
She said that the project initiative received the support of the city government through Mayor Justin Marc Chipeco, Vice-Mayor Roseller Rizal and the Sangguniang Panlungsod, City Cooperatives and Livelihood Development Department and the City Cultural Affairs, Tourism and Sports Development Department.
SK Federation president Kenneth delas Llagas thanked the mayor for endorsing the project, not only as a city-wide, but also a yearly event despite their only two-week preparation, and the overwhelming support by the city officials and city folks to the unique fun run.
Mayor Chipeco also advised the runners to enjoy the fun run but stay safe since the race was held in the evening due to the Halloween “trick or treat” setting.
Prizes for the 1-kilometer run were PHP 3,000 for the first prize; PHP 2,000, 2nd prize and PHP 1,000, 3rd prize.
Winning runners for the 2-K run each received PHP 4,000 for the first prize; PHP 3,000, 2nd prize and PHP 2,000, 3rd prize while for the 3-K run, PHP 5,000 for the first prize; PHP 4,000 for 2nd prize and PHP 3,000, 3rd prize.
Chipeco also awarded special prizes with the Mayor’s Choice at PHP5,000; Best in Costume at PHP 5,000; Best in Make-Up also PHP 5,000 and the biggest SK delegation runners at PHP 10,000 and PHP 1,000 each for the oldest and youngest runner. (Joel Cabactulan/PNA)
