educaTHON: the lengths we should go for education
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in the category Behind the Scenes
While some celebrities will give up easily on the unbearable heat of summer and head for the beach, there are others like Karylle, Dingdong Dantes, the Philippine Allstars, Starstruck contenders Vivo Ouano, Johan Santos, and Jeric Rizalado, and TJ Manotoc who will brave the scorching sun to show the world the things they think really matter. Things like fair access to quality education.
Last April 21, some 150 people from all over Metro Manila walked part of the A. Bonifacio Avenue in Marikina City under sweltering temperatures for the educaTHON: A Walk for Education, organized by Pathways to cap its 3-day Pathways Youth Conference. Participants assembled at the Marikina Riverbanks Center Ampitheater as early as 6:30 in the morning, with the crowd stretching down the Animal Path along the Marikina River, for the registration and to warm up before embarking on the walk that is aimed at putting education reform issues on the social and political agenda. The walkathon was held in partnership with the Marikina Riverbanks Center and the Marikina City government, who provided road assistance and the venues free of charge.
And just when they thought the day couldn’t get any brighter, the participants were greeted by some of the country’s brightest young stars as they approached the finish line at the Marikina Sports Complex. It was their favorite stars’ turn to do their share for the cause as participants were made to “vote” for who they think will make the most number of lapses in the track oval. It served as a fund-raiser for Pathways’ Youth Groups all over the country.
“We are doing this for the youth, for their education,” declared Karylle, who was in turn seconded by the other celebrities present. Karylle, daughter of singer-actress Zsa Zsa Padilla, finished her degree in Communications Technology Management from Ateneo de Manila in 2002. Also present to cover the event were Gameplan of Studio 23, RPN 9, and Manila Bulletin.
While the celebrities stuck quite closely with each other during the educathon, it was Deo Bantillo of the Philippine Allstars who first crossed the finish line, and was declared the winner.
An NGO and volunteer fair was also held at the Sports Complex, where participants to the walkathon can sign up to participate in education-related causes. Among the participating organizations were the Coca-cola Foundation, Bantay Bata Foundation, Child Hope Asia, the KC de Venecia Foundation, and many more.
Sunburns and non-stop perspiration notwithstanding, it was well worth the sting, as the country’s youth and its future might rest on how far we are willing to walk for it.
