TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—Their gallantry and patriotism unquestioned, veterans are mum about how people treat them as they cruise to the sunset of the lives.
Also victims of the super-storm that ravished half of Bohol, veterans, some of them compensated despite their heroism, are now listed among the indigents and would use all the help they can get to augment the measly pension they get.
On this, for the Philippine Veterans Week April5-11, PVAO Bohol Field Office is organizing a Charity Run for the Veterans, to raise funds for indigent veterans who are victims of the recent calamity, said Mario Blasabas, Field Service Extension Office head.
As an opener for the commemoration, we are offering three Charity Run categories, Blasabas added.
Open are 3 kilometer run and walk for men and women, 5 kilometer run for men and women and 10 kilometer run for men and women, all runners starting off at the Plaza Rizal fronting the St Joseph Cathedral.
Since the event intends to pool funds, race participants need to register P250 for the 3 kilometers, P350 for the 5 kilometers and P500 for the 10 kilometers, the extension office head said.
All participants have to pre-register on or before April 7, 2022, to be considered in the race.
Runners however need to be at the race start venue from 4:00 AM of the same day for the distribution of race numbers and meal stubs.
First to be let off in the mass start race are the 10 kilometer runners at 5:00 AM. Thirty minutes later, the 5K runners are sent off and at 5:50 AM, the 3 km run or walk would break out of the starting line.
Even if this is a charity run, we deemed it proper to also give prizes to top three winners of each category, Blasabas said.
At stake are P700, P400 and P250 as well as a medal each for the 3K winners, P1000, P700 and P500 as well as medals for the 5K winners and P2,000, P1,500 and P1,000 with medals for the 10 K run winners.
All first placers for each category would also receive P100 Globe cell card as additional prize.
The Charity Run for the Veterans is just one of the activities lined up for the nationwide commemoration of the Philippine Veterans Week.
In Bohol, the week opens with the Sunrise and PVet Week Opening Ceremonies at the Panglao UP Veterans , Marker, at 7:00 AM in Panglao Plaza, April 5.
The following day, PVAO Bohol is organizing a tree planting activity this April 6, with the PVAO scholars and the army reservists.
On the 9th, also the country’s Day of Valor (Araw ng Kagitingan), PVAO Bohol opens it with the Charity run, followed by a Flag Raising and Wreath Laying Ceremony at the New capitol Grounds at 8:00 AM. Then a gala activity for the Veterans Night starts at 4:00 PM at the Metro Center Hotel.
On the 11th, the commemorative week ends with Sunset and Closing Ceremonies at the Batuan Town plaza at 5:00 PM. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)
