by Earl Gio N. Manuel with reports from Monica B. Sunga

Almost three hundred runners participated in the Bañamos Fun Run 2013 organized by the Los Baños Municipal Government held on September 21.

The fun run was organized as part of the week-long Bañamos Festival.

“Nakita namin, usong-uso ang fun run and kaya nyang mag-produce ng certain amount of income na pwede naming magamit sa scholarship program,” said Councilor John “Jonjie” Emmanuel P. Oliva, the head organizer of the fun run.

The event started at exactly 5:30 in the morning and ended around 8 a.m. The first finishers were recognized immediately after the run. They were Michael Bacong from Bay, Laguna for the 3 km run, Jujet de Asis from Cabuyao City for the 5 km run, and Rene Desuyo from Taguig City for the 10 km run category. Each received Php 3,000 as cash prize.

10 km Run Winner Desuyo (center) with the fun run organizers headed by Councilor Oliva (rightmost) during the awarding ceremonies.

The 25-year-old Desuyo said “Maganda ang pag-organize dito. Ang nagustuhan ko kasi ay yung magandang ruta. Tsaka walang usok.”

Special awards were also given to six year-old Kyle Andrei Cheng who received the “Batang Runner Award” and Vicente Caurez, 76, as the “Oldest Contestant” awardee.

“Ika nga eh, ehersisyo tapos makatulong sa magandang adhikain ng munisipyo,” answered Caurez when asked why he joined the fun run.

Due to the success of the activity, the organizers of the fun run headed by Oliva are planning to hold a similar event later this year. Proceeds of the second fun run will likewise be for the benefit of the scholars of the Los Baños municipal government.

“Ang nakikita kong impact nito sa community natin, una awareness lalo na yung mga kababayan natin sa baybay-dagat na they’re still part of Bañamos Festival. At pangalawa, awareness din sa kabataan na makita nila na meron palang ganitong activity and pwede pala tayong sumali,” added Oliva.