Glenn Casuco, 49, has been joining fun runs for the past two years. However, this year, it was his first time to join an advocacy run.
“Ako jud wife ang ni-encourage nako nga moapil ani nga event which is sakto kay kaning West Philippine Sea atoa man jud ni,” said Casuco.
(My wife was the one who encouraged me to join this event, and she was right because the West Philippine Sea truly belongs to us.)
Casuco was one of the more than 2,000 runners who joined the Cebu leg of ‘Takbo Para sa West Philippine Sea (WPS)’ held Aug. 11 at SM Seaside City Cebu, South Coastal Road, Cebu City.
Casuco, who joins fun runs every month, shared that the WPS advocacy run was an opportunity to show his support to his country.
“Every month mag-apilan man mi ug fun run pero first time ko mo-join ani nga advocacy run. Sayo kaayo mi diri sa venue kay naa man road closure pero para man ni ipakita ang akong suporta nga ipaglaban jud nato ang WPS,” he said.
(We participate in fun runs every month, but this is my first advocacy run. We arrived early at the venue because of the road closures, but it was worth it to show my support for our fight to defend the WPS).”
Casuco, who lives in Brgy. Tingub, Mandaue City, arrived at the venue at 2:30 a.m. with his wife and friends. He placed 15th in the 45-49 age male group of the 16k category.
Advocacy Run
The ‘Takbo Para sa West Philippine Sea’ was organized by RUNRIO Inc. in partnership with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS), the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), and the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
The first leg of the run was held in Pasay City on July 7, 2024, with over 7,000 participants. The Cebu leg, held on Aug. 11, 2024, saw a participation of over 2,000 runners.
During the closing program, PCG Spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela said the event was launched to raise awareness and boost the morale of the country’s uniformed personnel.
“Ako po ay taos pusong nagpapasalamat sa ating mga kababayan dito sa Cebu. This just goes to show na ang atin pong laban sa West Philippine Sea ay tinitindigan natin lahat mula Luzon hanggang Visayas,” said Tarriela.
(I sincerely thank our fellow Filipinos here in Cebu. This shows that our fight for the West Philippine Sea is supported by everyone from Luzon to Visayas.)
PIA Director General Usec. Jose Torres, Jr., during the event, also thanked the organizers and participants, as he expressed his hope that Cebuanos would continue to support the campaign to defend the country’s claim over its resources.
“Daghang salamat, Cebu, daghang salamat sa padayon nga pagsuporta sa ating pag-claim sa yaman ng West Philippine Sea. Hinaut unta nga magpadayon ta sa pagsuporta sa atong kampanya kay ang bahandi sa West Philippine Sea para lamang sa mga Pilipino,” said Torres.
(Thank you, Cebu, for your continued support in our efforts to claim the wealth of the West Philippine Sea. I hope we will continue supporting this campaign because the resources of the West Philippine Sea are meant for Filipinos alone.)
Cebu City Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, who was unable to attend the event, conveyed his support through a message delivered by his executive assistant and program director of the Cebu City Bantay Dagat Commission, Ed Karlon Rama.
In his speech, Garcia emphasized that the Cebu City Government stands united with the President’s concern for the country’s sovereignty and the need to raise awareness about the Philippines’ territorial rights and the protection of its maritime interests.
The next leg of the ‘Takbo Para sa West Philippine Sea’ is on Sept. 8, 2024, in Cagayan de Oro.
All proceeds of the event will fund the West Philippines Sea education campaign. (MYP/PIA 7 Cebu)
