Run for Road Safety

Since I started running last year, I learned that there is a scheduled fun run almost every Saturday and Sunday.

I learned also to choose what running event to attend to. I based it on the organizers, the course and most importantly, what advocacy are they supporting. For me, it makes the difference.

The first time I saw the billboard in EDSA announcing the RUN FOR ROAD SAFETY, I said to myself, I will support this run. So luckily I was invited to join the run (thanks to Ms. Karen) and made me realize how this event was conceptualized after Chit Simbulan’s death in Commonwealth a year ago and  Decade of Action for Road Safety [campaign of United Nations].

It then flashed through my mind, Commonwealth is a very busy street. Been traversing the very same highway on my way to work and honestly, I almost gave up my job when I was starting because at 6:30 am I was already so stressed by the jeeps and buses cutting corners here and there.

Two things might happen there. It’s either I will be killed in an accident or I might kill somebody in an accident. Both ways, Im at a losing end. Since I like my job, I try to find an alternate route just to save me all the trouble. So when I have learned about its advocacy, I said to myself, I will not miss this chance to show my support.

So I did.

Thanks  to Mr. Alvin Carranza, the founder of MacGraphics Carranz and team manager of Pilipinas Teen Azkals. Aside from owning OneA Events Place, the run’s starting point, road safety—he says— has been one of his advocacies. He tells us last May 10 at the Café Lupe, “If we’re aware of what the government agencies, including U.N., has been doing, we’ll remember that each time we drive, we have to be more careful.” Also present were Chito Manuel of Philippine Football Federation, Atoy Sta. Cruz of Motorcyle Philippines Federation, and Prof. Roland Simbulan, the husband of Chit.

Several government agencies joined forces to organize this run: Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Land Transportation Office (LTO); Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Automobile Association of the Philippines, and Motorcycle Philippines Federation.

For more photos, visit my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bong.aguilar