Thirteen years ago, I went to a mission in Aurora province together with a bunch of churchmates. We did distribute Bibles and gave free dental checkups and foods as well. Thirteen years have passed but the colors are still very vivid, the warmth of the people as they invited us to come to their homes were encouraging, kids playing with us and the camaderie between our teams. However, there was one particular incident that I will never forget. I met a kid, I believe she was only 4 yrs old that time and she had a cleft lip. As her friends were playing with us, there she was, alone,lonely staring at us. I asked her whats wrong with her, and she was telling me something, but I couldn’t understand her at all. That time we only had 2 dentist and I knew they don’t have the expertise nor the necessary tools to treat her. We left the place after a week but the thought of her continued to linger on my mind. I wish I could do something, but heck I was just in college and I don’t have the means to help her, but I promise myself that someday I hope to help kids like her.

Fast forward 13 years later, Blas invited me to join 500 Smile Run blogger press and all the memories of that little girl came back.

So runners, I won’t continue my drama anymore. Make use of your money wisely. Instead of being a willing marketing agent of companies/race organizers, why not make use of your money to help somebody smile. Your money will be used to treat kids with cleft lip, cleft palate and other childhood facial deformities. We were told during the presscon that it takes php15,000 to treat a child with cleft lip. I really hope this race could race a lot of money to treat more kids. So there you go, smile and run!

I’m going to give a 10km race kit to anyone who can first reply here. Unahan na!

Cute singlet. I'm so passionate about this run for a cause event that I'm wearing this singlet on Sunday's Manila International Marathon (42km) event

Registration Sites

Chris Sports (Registration Period: September 23 – November 3, 2011):
SM Fairview
SM Manila
Robinsons Place Ermita

Puma Stores (Registration Period: October 7- November 3, 2011)
Bonifacio High Steet
Trinoma
Greenbelt 5
Cash N’ Carry (Buendia)

Smart Business Centers (Registration Period: October 7- November 3, 2011)
Ayala Avenue Head Office
Megamall

Race Categories & Fees (Manila)
500meter dash for children Php 300
3 kilometer run    Php 500
5 kilometer run    Php 500
10 kilometer run   Php 650
16 kilometer run   Php 800

Race Categories & Fees (Davao)
3KM, 5KM and 10KM  PhP 350.00
16 KM    PhP 650.00

Race Organizer: Ian Alacar

For more info about Operation Smile, visit their site. http://www.operationsmile.org/