03/03/2025
๐ฆ๐๐จ ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ธ๐ ๐ญ๐ญ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฅ๐๐ป ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฒ
Now in its 11th year, Saint Louis University (SLU) continues its fundraising journey with Run for Hope Philippines, bringing together the Baguio City community yesterday, March 2.
The eventโs proceeds support three key initiatives, including the Sunflower Centennial Halfway Home for Boys (SCYWC) and Project Daily Bread within SLU, as well the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Regional Haven for Women and Girls.
The race includes four categories: 21 kilometers, 10 kilometers, 5 kilometers, and 3 kilometers, with the top three male and female runners in each category receiving awards.
Ramon Carlos Aquino dominated the 21-kilometer race, securing first place, followed by Yerenze Gregory Flores in second and Myric Fagyan in third in the male category. Akyza Izakiela Tangalin claimed the top spot among female runners, with Jennifer Linmayog and Rochelle Gumpic finishing second and third, respectively.
In the 10-kilometer category, Angelo Quitlong took first place, while Arjay Navida and Nico Claur placed second and third. Nicole Fugen led the female runners, followed by Sam Aquino in second and Tricia Madrid in third.
Denzel Josh Paqaduan prevailed in the 5-kilometer male category, with Kjalem Matheodore Aquino and Nehemiah Sacayanan securing second and third. Alyza Sumacyab finished first among female competitors, while Belle Mendoza and Agatha Ibalio claimed the next two spots.
For the 3-kilometer race, Zykhen Kira Angcaway secured first place in the male category, with AenIszach Tangalin in second and Cobi Jin Pio Oberos in third. Freya Malafo led the female group, followed by Beatriz Fontanilla and Faith Anayaan in second and third.
๐ผ ๐ก๐ค๐ค๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ฉ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ง๐ค๐๐ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐ซ๐๐๐ฉ๐ค๐ง๐ฎ
In an interview, Carlos Aquino, the first-place male in the 21-kilometer category and a first-year BS in Information Technology (IT) student at SLU, shared his feelings and preparations following the race.
โVery tiring po pero pinaghandaan naman po. Before this race, [ang] training ko po halos five times a week. It was a good feeling to win this race and accomplish it,โ Aquino said.
Akyzxa Izakiela Tangalin, the first-place in the 21-kilometer female category and a senior high school student of SLU, expressed that winning felt special as it was a privilege to compete in an SLU-organized event, especially with her family and friends supporting her despite limited preparation.
โThis feels a little bit special for me kasi it is a privilege to win [a competition] under an event prepared by an organization from SLU. My family and friends are here din po, and they are very, very supportive. Kahit wala [rin] pong masyadong preparation before that kasi kinakabahan din po ako for this race. For the past weeks, [I had] requirements from school, so hindi na rin po naka-training and considering na na-late din po ako.โ Tangalin stated.
Meanwhile, Jose Angelo Delos Trinos, a 21-kilometer finisher and a student at the University of Baguio (UB), shared that he was proud to finish his first 21-kilometer race, especially since he joined at the last minute without preparation.
โI feel very proud of myself, especially [since] this is my first race joining the 21-kilometer category, so Iโm actually surprised with my resultsโฆ I wouldnโt really say I was prepared for the race because this wasnโt really part of my plan; all of a sudden, my friends invited me [last] Thursday to join, and the only spot available was in 21 [kilometers], and I joined,โ Delos Trinos said.
By Penelope Dela Cruz
Photos by Gem Mangiliman, Rouize Pancho, and Micko Nieves
