Break the Silence: Global Run for PWDs at SM Seaside Cebu City

With Rob, Rina and Lea after finishing our 3K run

March 19, Sunday, Cebu City --- I was so glad to have represented SKILLS in the primary run for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) organized by the Philippine Accessible Disability Services, Inc. (PADS). Dubbed as, "Break the Silence: Global Run," PADS hosted approximately "10,000 global change-makers of all abilities and ages to participate in this fun run, in cities around the world," cited its press release. PADS stated that their goal is not to break world records. Their goal is to generate a wave of awareness across the globe which will contribute to STOP the sexual abuse of Deaf women and children. 

With Lea and Denven (right), our Deaf graduate

       The members of PSC's Runners Club were also present in the event. Denven Verano, one of our Deaf graduates now working as Housekeeping Staff at Quest Hotel, joined the Global Run with his colleagues in their community at Gualandi Mission for the Deaf. I was happy that my Banilad co-resident, Lea, ran with me! We were also delighted to see Rina, one of Banilad's friends, who is now part of SM Seaside's Marketing Department. Rob Gomm, PADS' event organizer, couldn't stop thanking everyone who came and supported the run.

It was an experience to leave so early in the morning, with the stars still out, and travel down south. The South Road Properties (SRP) look really scenic at the break of dawn, as we jogged, walked and ran along the highway, side-by-side the beautiful sea and the mountain ranges of Cebu which form the backdrop of SM Seaside City! Given our condition and capacity, Lea and I managed to finish 3K in less than 30 minutes! It was our full exercise for the day. We were laughing to admit that we suffered the consequences of this early morning run the following day! This is due to not regularly exercising!

The primary run was set here in Cebu City, where Filipinos and international guests took to the streets to show their support. Simultaneously, other cities in the country also hosted runs with the support of SM Malls. Manila also joined the event, with runners converging at McKinley West Park, Chateau Road, The Fort, Taguig City. On the same day, March 19, there had been confirmed runs across North and South America, Europe, Australia, Asia and the Pacific nations. The final run of the day was hosted by Google at the Googleplex  in Mountain View, California, USA.    

The race categories consisted of 3K (Php 350), 6K (Php 450), 12K (Php 550) and 21K (Php 650). For Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) who joined the event, a special 1K category was included. Race proceeds will be used for the awareness campaign of PADS' flagship project, Break the Silence, the prevention of sexual abuse of Deaf women and children in the Philippines.

      

Summer 2017: The Charm of Southern Cebu

At Mantayupan Falls with our Senior HS and  Tech-Voc team

We had loads of fun visiting Southern Cebu's very own Barili, Alegria and Badian municipalities during our teambuilding activity this year! Our first stop was Mantayupan Falls in Barili, Batong Malunhaw in Alegria, and Kawasan Falls in Badian.

Warming up for our first game

There were 4 vans that transported all 55 of us --- the staff of PSEFI-SKILLS along with some family members --- to Barili where you can find the majestic waterfalls of Mantayupan. We stayed there for lunch and afterwards, headed to the beachfront of Batong Malunhaw, which is Cebuano for "Green Stone." This was where we had the first round of games prepared for us by Janice and Mitziel, our HR and Guidance Counselor respectively. The following day, some of us tried going up the picturesque Kawasan Falls, a three-layered waterfall system located at Barangay Matutinao in Badian, Cebu. 

On the way to our location, we saw several tourists converge at a particular point where the passageway for Canyoneering is situated. We have heard so many testimonials about this kind of sport, which is drawing attention from a lot of local and international tourists, and the media. I even met Jen, a young professional from Manila, who came here to Cebu to precisely experience Canyoneering! And she said she loved it so much!

We are very grateful for the support of the Primary Group of Builders for this yearly escapade where we are given an opportunity to bond as a company. We have seen one another in a different light, away from our usual setting in the work place. Rest and recreation is truly a must to have a well-rounded character. It ensures one of preserving good physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health and well-being. And doing so with a bunch of happy and positive people is more than just a plus! It's like winning the jackpot, or the lottery, if you may!

Some quick facts about the tourist attractions we visited:

Tilapia-an in Barili

Barili, Cebu is located 61 km southwest of Cebu City. It borders on Dumanjug to the south, to the north with Aloguinsan; to the east with Carcar and Sibonga; and to the west lies the Tañon Strait. The word barili comes from the name of a local grass called balili. A cross was erected by Spanish conquistadores on their arrival at 1602, and still exists today. Its main tourist attraction is the Matayupan Falls. On the way, you will also get to pass by Tilapia-an and the famous Milk Station of Barili along the national highway.

The scenic beach front of Batong Malunhaw in Alegria

Alegria, Cebu is one of the 44 towns and considered a 4th class municipality of Cebu Province. It is bounded by Badian in the north, and Dalaguete in the east. Farming and fishing are the main sources of livelihood in this municipality, along with handicraft-making primarily using bamboo. No wonder, the town's festival is called Kawayan, a Visayan word for bamboo, celebrated every December 2. Townfolks celebrate this day with street dances and presentations by showing their locally made bamboo products or displaying them everywhere for people to see. Kawayan Festival is celebrated as part of the town's fiesta in honor of St. Francis Xavier, their patron saint.

Canyoneering in Badian

Badian, Cebu is located 98 km southwest of Cebu City. It is bounded to the north by Moalboal, to the south by Alegria, to the east by Dalaguete and Argao, and to the west by Tañon Strait. Its main tourist attraction is the Kawasan Falls, where Canyoneering is offered to tourists who need to go upstream Kawasan's waterfalls in order to experience it. 

Here's hoping we could all go back to this part of Cebu which has so much to offer not just during summer but the whole year round!

Photo credits courtesy of Reylie Bracero, raymondvasquez.com, Merry Grace Villegas, PSEFI official pictures.