By Alexander Villafania
TAGUIG CITY, METRO MANILA – The recently held “Run for A Scholar” running event by the American Chamber Foundation Philippines, Inc. underscores the organization’s direction in helping poor but deserving students.
At least 2,200 runners braved the early morning heat last May 27 at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City to be part of the event, the first event of its kind held by the AmCham Foundation.
Member companies of AmCham Foundation ran along with hundreds of other running enthusiasts.
A major highlight of the event is the participation of several ABS-CBN Star Magic artists such as Diether Ocampo, Enchong Dee, Bettina Carlos, Megan Young and Erin Ocampo, among others.
TV actress, medical doctor, and sports enthusiast Maricar Reyes also graced the occasion.
Ocampo, one of the finishers in the 10-kilometer category, said that as more Filipinos participate in these events, he hopes that they will also become aware of the needs of poor but deserving people.
Because of the success of the event, the AmCham Foundation is looking at making the fun run a regular event.
Edwin Feist, President for the AmCham Foundation, said that the group has been looking at ways to get more support from the private sector for their scholarship programs.
Given the popularity of running events, the foundation created its own as a possible promotional program to build up more interest for their scholarship program.
“It’s our first attempt and so far we were quite happy with the participation. It also means many people are also interested in this kind of activity because it puts value on providing education to poor but deserving students,” Feist said.
Feist added that because of the success of the run, they might consider making it into an annual activity. “I think we’re on to something good here. The AmCham Foundation is always finding the best way to help Filipinos.”
According to him, the AmCham Foundation has about 150 scholars from elementary to college level.
AmCham Foundation Board Trustee Roger Lim said that helping Filipinos should be done through assisting them in their educational needs. He emphasized on the support of more Filipinos in their noble cause.
Meanwhile, US Deputy Chief of Mission Leslie Bassett said that she hopes for more support among the different US-based private firms in the Philippines and cooperation with local companies in terms of helping Filipino students.
She stressed that there is a lot of work to do when it comes to education in the Philippines.
“We hope to build the next generation of great Filipinos through these scholarships. If you could actually see them, they are really good people. This (fun run) is a first for the Foundation and a first for me as well,” Bassett said, who is also an honorary chair of the AmCham Foundation.
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