"on a shoestring"

Today I woke up with mixed emotions.

HAPPY because we just finished sending all the running shoes to Bayawan City, Negros Oriental for the SHOESHARING Project and SADdened by the images I continue to see on TV and the internet- the deadly flood crisis in the Southern Philippines (particularly in CDO and Iligan).

But before anything else, I want to thank everyone who took part in this self-less endeavor of sharing your blessings. I would consider this one of the joys since I started blogging.

HAPPY and BLESSED

When I started this blog, I just want to chronicle my first marathon, didn’t expect that 16months after this blog will be used to help the young athletes from Negros Oriental. For taht, thank you Ed Escueta of pixelmanila.net, Christine Fernandez of jovialwanderer.com and Laiza Limpin of Ang Batang Gala for the team partnership!

My forever gratitude goes to my readers who really drove this project to an overwhelming SUCCESS, Philippine Sports Commission who invited me as part of the media team during the Batang Pinoy Games 2011, Snail Runners Alabang (my Running Team) for the surprising support, Accel Sports for the brand new shoes and many others who contributed anonymously.

___ ___ ___

Here’s a report:

Slightly used shoes received: 16 pairs (running, trail, trainer and doll shoes). Yes, there are people who gave doll shoes!

Total money received: Php 29,395 (You can check the details on SHOESHARING Project).

Expenses:

19 brand new track shoes, 2 timers & 2 whistles: Php11,400 + 2,000

Shipping cost: Php1,515 + Php615 + Php315 (3 batches of shipment via LBC)

Money left: Php13,550

We have shipped a total of 35 pairs of running shoes. Saraaaap sa pakiramdam!

___ ___ ___

Here’s a photo essay of the SHOESHARING PROJECT:

This snapshot started it all! "Bilisan mo, pahiram ng sapatos. Eto na yung tsinelas."

I then posted what I saw on my FB wall

The following day, I looked for the 2 runners who are sharing one shoes. Learned that they are actually 3.

Not only that, I have seen a lot of barefooters because they can't afford to buy running/track shoes

Readers started commenting on my post about it…

After a week, I together with other bloggers decided to launch a full-blast project to help the young athletes.

SHOESHARING Project was launched!

Friends, readers, bloggers, running teams joined the cause!

Thank you to the ff who donated: Richard B, April G, Pamela O, Beatrice G, Kathleen Grace dG, Tet M, PEX Runners group, Melai M, Aggy G, Paula O, Chato A, Pie R, Gabz, Mary Grace, Gay E, Anonymous EF, Anonymous O, Anonymous G, and Mr/Ms. Anonymous.

Thanks for the re-post of the Project:

Aziel: http://azialbatanggala.blogspot.com/2011/11/shoes-for-cause.html

April: http://prillyn.blogspot.com/2011/11/share-shoe-no-this-is-not-milo.html

Rose: http://grownupsforaday.blogspot.com/2011/11/shoesharing-project.html

and many more who FB shared, tweeted, talked about the link!

We have received a lot of inquiries and support. The news even reached the high officials of the Philippine Sports Commission.

Friends gave their slightly used shoes…

Jojo & Ed sorting out the donated shoes

Branded shoes came- Nike, Adidas, Merrell, Newton, etc

After almost a month of raising funds and online meetings, we went to Raon to buy new shoes and gather:

from Shoesharing to Shoeshopping

Total Expenses, coach timer and shoes

Remember the 3 runners pics? Now they will be wearing these- with the perfect size for each of them

from Shoesharing to Shoeshipping

Laiza excitedly blogged the experience of Shoes Hunting and Shoe Shopping

But wait! There’s more…

During the Snail Runners Christmas party at Alabang, they gave a BIG cheque!

Thank you Snail Runners Alabang!

Then I shipped a second batch of running shoes yesterday:

At LBC Market! Market!

2nd batch of shoes (from OK OK and Snail Runners running group)

Then I hurriedly went to Accel Shoes Office in Pasig to get the 5 brand new shoes they donated:

Receiving the shoes donations from Sir Jacob, Accel Sports Marketing Manager

I then shipped the 3rd batch of shoes yesterday at Pasig.

In behalf of the team, I now proclaim the SHOESHARING Project SUCCESSFUL!

Here’s the text message I received yesterday when Coach Neal of Bayawan National High School got the 1st batch of running shoes:

“Thanks po talaga. Rest assured, makakarinig po kayo about the development ng mga athletes po natin. DIOS na po bahala sa inyong lahat. Alam po Nya ang bawat isa sa inyo at lahat nng kabutihang ginawa ninyo. Muli, thank you very much po.”

Heart-warming ayt?

I wish we can do this again next year, we will find another team/group who needs our assistance.

How about the Php13,550 balance?

The team is planning to donate it to the flood victims of CDO and Iligan (via the Iligan Bloggers Society‘s One for Iligan)…

May I ask consensus  for those who donated cash on this decision?

You see, if you agree- You not only helped the young athletes of Negros Oriental but also shared the blessing to the flood-ravaged cities and municipalities of Northern Mindanao.

Think about them:

Photos from the internet: Flood victims of Typhoon Sendong in CDO and Iligan

Please let us now what you think, use the comment section. Thank you very much!

Let’s inspire the youth and make a difference in our society!

SURPRISE! SURPRISE!

Who would have thought that joining the Batang Pinoy Games would bring them to the London Olympics this 2012.

YES! You read that right, 5 athletes who joined the Batang Pinoy Games will be given a once in a lifetime chance to go to London for the 2012 Olympic Summer School.

PURPOSE

The British Council has partnered with Philippine Sports Commission to bring five (5) young athletes from the Batang Pinoy Awardees to London, UK. This program seeks to (a) raise awareness of the London 2012 Read more…

Track & Field athletes from the Bacolod Tay Tung High School give their best performance in honor of their slain coach, Rolando Malate.

I was talking to Joebe Panhilanson Jr., a shot put player about the great Read more…

Wounded but Still Fighting

Even with bleeding legs and arms, young triathletes (ages 15 and below) from Zambales, Laguna and Manila finished the race at the recently concluded Batang Pinoy Triathlon Game.

Six out of 12 triathletes had an accident because of the slippery bike route. But this didn’t stop anyone in completing the course which includes 200m swim – 5k bike – 1.2k run.

Look at the wounded knees of the kids- badges of honor

After 19:04 (4:01 – 10:53 – 4:10), Gabriel Allen Salazar won the boys event while  Read more…

‘BONGGACIOS’ BATANG PINOY OPENING CEREMONIES

After more than a  decade of hiatus, Batang Pinoy Games is on and is now being held in Naga City. “Ang Maogmang Lugar” has been a perfect choice where to hold the National Finals as the city is ready to welcome hundreds of athletes, coaches, trainors and parents.

As I have the opportunity to witness every leg (except for Mindanao), I noticed that the kick-off program here in Naga is the best ever. Commissioner Joaquin “Chito” Loyzaga said that its a tough act to beat. Forgive me for the gay linggo but I would like to describe the opening program as “BONGGACIOUS” (did I spelled it right?).

Read more…