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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—Filipino Runners-UAE will see action
in the annual Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on January 21 not only
to achieve personal goals but also to help out their needy countrymen.
Dubbed Takbo para kay Kabayan (Run for my Countrymen), 39 members of
the group will run a total of 800 kilometers in the Dubai Marathon in
the hope of raising at least Dh40,000 (P480,000) by asking for pledges
of Dh50 (P600) from individuals and companies for every kilometer that
they will run.
Proceeds of the project will go to Filipino
patients in Rashid Hospital who are in dire need of financial
assistance; education and training workshops which include skills
enhancement and knowing the basic rights of expatriate workers; and
repatriation of distressed migrants staying at the POLO-OWWA (Philippine
Overseas Labor Office-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) Center
in Abu Hail, Dubai.
“Finishing the Dubai Marathon which
includes the grueling 42 km event as well as 10 km race is a major feat
in itself but participating in that event to help others is glorious,”
said Euca Bolingot, 28, coach and team captain of the group.
Bolingot, an IT professional in Dubai, noted that many Filipinos
especially those working as domestic helpers and unskilled workers end
up as victims of maltreatment, harassment, and unfair labor practices
and some of them have piled up hospital bills. Takbo para kay Kabayan is
their way of reaching out to their distressed countrymen and raising
people’s awareness that something has to be done.
Few days into
the race, Bolingot, who is also aiming to improve his personal record
of 2:55 for the 42 km marathon, said that they are already well-prepared
for the race. He was happy how the group grew from three runners to
almost 50 in just a few months.
The group is composed of
“veteran” runners and eager beginners who initially called themselves
Zabeel Night Striders until they finally decided on the name Filipino
Runners-UAE.
With the change of name came the change in the orientation of the group.
Their plan was put into action after they forged partnership with the
UAE chapter of Migrante International late November last year. Migrante
International has long been working for the protection of Filipino
migrant workers not only in the UAE but in other countries as well. It
was instrumental in getting the support of other organizations under
FilCom, an umbrella group of Filipino associations in Dubai and the
Northern Emirates, for the project.
More than a charity run,
Yuri Cipriano, chairperson of Migrante-UAE, believes that Takbo para kay
Kabayan “is a clarion call to all Filipino expats to hold similar
activities that will uplift the lives of their kababayans (countrymen)
in the Middle East.”
Cipriano, who will participate in the 10
km run, said Takbo para kay Kabayan is a fine example of the Filipino
spirit Bayanihan or collective action.
Bolingot agrees with
Cipriano. He said: “More than ever we are more determined to reach the
finish line. Each stride, each bead of sweat, each glory and pain is
dedicated to improve the lives of our fellow migrant workers.”
For details on how to give donations to Takbo para kay Kabayan, visit
filipinorunnersuae.com or call Euca Bolingot at +971 50 5189917.
original link: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
in the annual Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on January 21 not only
to achieve personal goals but also to help out their needy countrymen.
Dubbed Takbo para kay Kabayan (Run for my Countrymen), 39 members of
the group will run a total of 800 kilometers in the Dubai Marathon in
the hope of raising at least Dh40,000 (P480,000) by asking for pledges
of Dh50 (P600) from individuals and companies for every kilometer that
they will run.
Proceeds of the project will go to Filipino
patients in Rashid Hospital who are in dire need of financial
assistance; education and training workshops which include skills
enhancement and knowing the basic rights of expatriate workers; and
repatriation of distressed migrants staying at the POLO-OWWA (Philippine
Overseas Labor Office-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) Center
in Abu Hail, Dubai.
“Finishing the Dubai Marathon which
includes the grueling 42 km event as well as 10 km race is a major feat
in itself but participating in that event to help others is glorious,”
said Euca Bolingot, 28, coach and team captain of the group.
Bolingot, an IT professional in Dubai, noted that many Filipinos
especially those working as domestic helpers and unskilled workers end
up as victims of maltreatment, harassment, and unfair labor practices
and some of them have piled up hospital bills. Takbo para kay Kabayan is
their way of reaching out to their distressed countrymen and raising
people’s awareness that something has to be done.
Few days into
the race, Bolingot, who is also aiming to improve his personal record
of 2:55 for the 42 km marathon, said that they are already well-prepared
for the race. He was happy how the group grew from three runners to
almost 50 in just a few months.
The group is composed of
“veteran” runners and eager beginners who initially called themselves
Zabeel Night Striders until they finally decided on the name Filipino
Runners-UAE.
With the change of name came the change in the orientation of the group.
Their plan was put into action after they forged partnership with the
UAE chapter of Migrante International late November last year. Migrante
International has long been working for the protection of Filipino
migrant workers not only in the UAE but in other countries as well. It
was instrumental in getting the support of other organizations under
FilCom, an umbrella group of Filipino associations in Dubai and the
Northern Emirates, for the project.
More than a charity run,
Yuri Cipriano, chairperson of Migrante-UAE, believes that Takbo para kay
Kabayan “is a clarion call to all Filipino expats to hold similar
activities that will uplift the lives of their kababayans (countrymen)
in the Middle East.”
Cipriano, who will participate in the 10
km run, said Takbo para kay Kabayan is a fine example of the Filipino
spirit Bayanihan or collective action.
Bolingot agrees with
Cipriano. He said: “More than ever we are more determined to reach the
finish line. Each stride, each bead of sweat, each glory and pain is
dedicated to improve the lives of our fellow migrant workers.”
For details on how to give donations to Takbo para kay Kabayan, visit
filipinorunnersuae.com or call Euca Bolingot at +971 50 5189917.
original link: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]