"on a shoestring"

“I started running in the 70’s. How old are you during those years?,” asked the Running Priest at the first mile of our run. I said, “I’m not yet born and my mom is in her elementary.”

I was telling the Running Priest, “Father, this is one of dreams, to run with you; and I can’t believe that its happening this soon.”

In the beginning…

It was a right decision to wake up early on the first day of August. The run started at Botanical Garden in UPLB. A place that is close to my heart as there I started to love nature. It started when I was in my 3^rd grade when I first climbed Mt. Makiling. 16 years later I found myself running with Fr. Robert Reyes supporting him on his advocacy of preservation the mountains of the Philippines.

This is where the advocacy run started- Makiling Botanic Gardens, UPLB

Takbundukan: An Avocacy Run for the Environment

With a wooden staff on his hand (made of a special species of bamboo–handcrafted by missing Jonas’ mom, Edith Burgos) and a 22L backpack Fr. Robert Reyes was preaching the conservation of nature by running. I together with my running teammates, Vic Caurez and Sunday Ombrog joined him on the first day of his 4-day run around the towns of Laguna and Batangas, towns that surround Mt. Makiling. Mt. Makiling proved to be the lungs of CALABARZON, an important watershed in this industrialized region.

Father Reyes with the MacRunners. I'm wearing blue.

The run should be Los Banos to Alaminos but because Fr. Reyes will do a homily on the second death anniversary of the late President Cory Aquino. We just ran from Los Banos until Calauan, Laguna; about 19 kilometers under the rain.

On Humility

My respect for this man has become deeper he walks (runs) what he preaches. On one talk in the municipal hall of Bay, he asked for forgiveness in behalf of the MitsuBishops that accepted SUVs from the former Pres. GMA.

Fr. Reyes making a speech with the highschool students of Laguna Science. He also asked for forgiveness in behalf of the Pajero 7.

Fr. Reyes with Bay Mayor Padrid's Wife

Until My Last Breath…

On the service van I asked him until when he plans run for change. Coming from the heart, he said, “Until I’m breathing and I can still run, I will run.” The running priest is already 53 years old, has battled a lot of politicians that seem to encumber the development of the country, but still strong, fighting for the good not only of nature but also of the society.

Thinking-Out-Of-The-Box

This man cannot be boxed and will continue to effect change in the best way he can- run.

On the 4^th day of his advocacy run, Takbundukan, I will run again with him. From Calamba City to Los Banos.

This humble man of God, indeed, runs what he preaches.

 

Photo credits: Sir Audie dela Cruz, DENR Region 4A