Takbo Samaleño gathers 1,300 participants

   SAMAL, Bataan – This beautiful and peaceful town in Bataan held on Saturday morning its first fun run dubbed “Takbo Samaleno” to raise funds for the education of children, especially those under the K-12 scholarship program.

   Samal Mayor Gene Malibiran dela Fuente said she was only expecting around 1,000 runners but 1,300 joined the 3-, 5- and 10-kilometer races. She said the first fun run was successful with participants coming from 11 towns and one city in Bataan and some from Pampanga.

   “Ang bawat hakbang na gagawin ninyo ay para sa edukasyon ng kabataan lalo na ng mga nasa Grades 11 at 12. Ang fund-raising project na ito ay para sa pagtatayo ng field enhancement center for students,” the lady mayor told the participants.

   Retired Marine Gen. Danilo Lim, head of the Guardians Brotherhood Association in the Philippines, joined the mayor in the 5K-run. “Nagpapasalamat ako na naging kabahagi ako ng Ist fun run sa Samal na para sa kabutihan ng mga kabataan,”  he said.

  Veteran sports announcer Noli Soriano, former provincial Board member, emceed the affair.  Samal Vice-Mayor Aida Macalinao with members of the Sangguniang Bayan and barangay officials from the 14 barangays participated.

  First, second and third placers under the women’s and men’s categories in the three race distances received cash and medals, and so with senior citizens who joined. Some children were also seen running with parents. The program started with a dance-exercise and ended with zumba.