PACQUIAO AND THE 10.10.10 PASIG RIVER RUN
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 11 Oct 2010
World pound-for-pound king Congressman Manny Pacquiao joined more than 100,000 runners in the fun run called ?10.10.10 A Run for the Pasig River? organized by Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig. It happened on October 10, 2010 starting at different points, at Mall of Asia, CCP Complex and Ayala Avenue in Makati City.
The run was aimed at creating advocacy and awareness for the enormous task of cleaning up Pasig River, the biggest waterway going through the urban centers of Metro Manila, even through Malacanan Palace.
The organizers aimed to raise an amount of P10 million to P12 million from donations and registrations of the fun run. The primary beneficiary is the clean up of Estero de San Miguel, a major tributary to the Pasig River, according to ABS-CBN managing director Gina Lopez. Last year, dredging and relocation of informal settlers along Estero de Paco, a tributary of Pasig River, had started.
According to Pacquiao, ?Pasig is the river of life and the demise of the river due to industrial pollution and the simple acts of throwing garbage is just like a death blow to the generations to come. The clogging of the waterways is just like our downfall because of the hazards brought by the floods.?
Pacquiao was one concerned citizen who wanted to be counted on as an advocate for the restoration of the life of the Pasig River. He enjoined every individual to unite hand-in-hand, like his every fight, to work for the revitalization of the Pasig.
He took time out from his sparring sessions and intense training in Baguio City and motored to Manila to take part in the historic Pasig run.
Runners from the private sector, religious sector, business sector, non-government organizations, students, the police and the armed forces, and government agencies were united in joining the biggest fun run in Philippine history.
There were 160,000 registrants but only 101,000 runners were accounted at the finish line. It was short of breaking the Guiness World Record of 110,000 runners during the "Bay to Breakers" run in San Francisco, California in 1988.
But it was 5 times more than the 23,000 runners who took part in the Pasig run last year. And it could still be considered as the biggest advocacy run in the world.
Pacquiao joined the celebrities and officials who showed up to give moral support to the cause including former President Fidel V. Ramos and wife Ming, Vice-President Jejomar Binay, Mayors Alfredo Lim of Manila and Antonino Calixto of Pasay, Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino, DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde, and Presidential sister Ballsy Aquino-Cruz.
Top Photo: Congressman and world boxing champion Manny 'Pacman' Pacquiao runs during the 'Run for Pasig River' event in Manila October 10, 2010. Thousands of runners filled up major roads as they joined a fun run which was organized to raise funds to rehabilitate Manila's polluted Pasig River and try to set a Guinness World Record for the most number of participants in a foot race. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024