People from all walks of life gathered at the South Cotabato Sports Complex, City of Koronadal as early as 4am on February 15, 2015, Sunday for PhilHealth’s nationwide simultaneous fun run.

Some 5,000 runners out of the 7,211 registrants - young and old, students, professionals, businessmen, members of religious groups, officers from the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines, run enthusiasts, and even persons with disability - ran for a cause.

“I learned about PhilHealth Run through Facebook, from my friends, from the coach of Alaska Team who advised me to join the run as part of my training for the 17-country Ironman Triathlon this March,” said Noemi Andrea S. Galeos, 20k female category first placer.

When asked what they will do with their cash prizes, 12 year-old Angelo G. Heraud of Brgy. Libertad, Surallah South Cotabato said, “ihatag ko sa nanay ko (I will give it to my mother).”

Heraud finished first among 433 runners under the 3k kiddie category with 11 minutes and 53 seconds race time and got Php2, 000.00 and a gold medal. His older brother Joan G. Heraud won first place in the 5k male category and received Php3,000.00

“Ibulig ko sa simbahanan namon kag kay mamang. Salamat guid PhilHeath (I will give it to our church and my mother. Thank you PhilHealth),” shared Friences Diane Balbaguio, 13 year-old, first placer for 5k female category. She also received Php3,000.00.

Galeos also adds, “Thank you PhilHealth for organizing this run. It is well-organized. This is the second time I joined a 20 kilometer-run and my performance has improved. Hopefully you will organize another run next year. This is a very good exposure and training for us triathletes,”

“Nagapasalamat ko sa PhilHealth nga nagpadula sila, karon naa ko’y ikadugang palit ug yuta (I am thankful to PhilHealth they organized this run, I now have additional money to buy a land),” said Bobby S. Tadlas, 1st place winner for 20k male category.

The 23 year-old runner from Malaybalay City, Bukidnon shared “I save all my winnings to buy a land.”

PhilHealth XII Regional Vice-President Dr. Miriam Grace G. Pamonag said “every step that you took this morning will go a long long way to help our beneficiaries, the DSWD XII Home for Girls and Cotabato Bahay Maria Foundation, Inc. Maraming maraming salamat po,”

The fun run is one of the highlights of PhilHealth’s 20th Anniversary which centered on the theme, “Ensuring Universal Coverage for All Filipinos.” The run seeks to increase awareness on PhilHealth’s benefits and services among all Filipinos and generate funds for its various beneficiary-institutions nationwide. (Gloria Amor L. Sequito)