Koreans to see action in ’Takbo Para Sa Bokasyon’

MANILA, Philippines – A lean but mean 23-man delegation from Korea will join as guest runners as the Stags Run 3 dubbed "Takbo Para Sa Bokasyon" unfurls on Sunday at the ASEANA City near the Mall of Asia and Macapagal Blvd.

San Sebastian president and organizing committee head Fr. Christopher Maspara, OAR, said 21 of the Korean nationals plunging into action in the one-day meet this weekend are exchange students from Chonbuk National University in South Korea while two of them are professors.

"They are here in San Sebastian for the academic cultural exchange program and they're joining our race," said Maspara, who has been in the head of the annual event that is currently running for the third straight year now.

Aside from the Koreans, the Stags Run have also drawn participation from no less than former President Joseph Estrada himself, his stuff and some alumni celebrities and basketball stars like JC Tiuseco, Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang and Rommel Adducul among others.

The event, which will fire off at 4 a.m., is being supported by the Kabataan Jeep in Erap, an organization headed by Dr. Angel Espiritu who will also participate, Azia direct fashion for less, Life Oil, the pure power of mother nature, Mr. Alfonso Ronco, Atty. Joel Chua, Mr. Marlon Ortiz and Pharex.

Maspara also encourages students, school employees, teachers and even alumnis to join the event and support the school's vigorous and determined efforts to fund their apostolates in Sierra Leone in West Africa and some remote barangays in Palawan.

"We're expecting a bigger, more exciting race this year," said Maspara, who has been at the helm of the race not just for charitable purposes but also to encourage their students, employees and alumni to run for good health.

"We're not just funding our apostolates here and abroad but we're also promoting a healty lifestyle to students, officials and even alumni," he added.

Registration, which is pegged at P500 each inclusive of bib number and singlet, starts next week and ends on Jan. 8 and will only be open to all San Sebastian students, staffs, alumnis and their relatives.

The first two years, the race generated funds for the OAR mission in Sierra Leone in West Africa as well as in the Casian Island in Palawan where the Mendiola-based school has zeroed in on their education apostolates.

Competitions will be divided into three categories, 3k, 5k and 10k, starting at 6 a.m. with the entrance fee pegged at P500 per participant.

Staged at the MoA grounds, the first edition was won by Justin Tabunda in the men's side and Mercedita Manipol-Fetalvero in the women's side of the 5k division while Mervin Guarte and Jho-Anne Banayag topped the 10k race.

Guarte, now a Southeast Asian Games medalist and San Sebastian's star runner, returned the following year to dominate the event.