MANILA, Philippines – A group of Filipino runners based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will hold a marathon to raise funds for their countrymen in need of financial and harassment assistance.
Called the Filipino Runners-UAE, the group pledged to run a total of 800 kilometers (kms) in the "Takbo para kay Kabayan (Run for my Countrymen)," as part of the annual Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon scheduled on January 21.
The group, composed of both veteran and amateur runners, said they hope to raise at least UAE Dirham 40,000, or P480,000, from individual and company pledges.
It said the proceeds will go to help Filipino patients in Rashid Hospital who can't afford the costs; to workshops which will educate the expatriate workers regarding their basic rights; and, to repatriate migrants currently staying at the Polo-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Center in Abu Hail, Dubai.
Euca Bolingot, the Filipino Runner-UAE coach and team captain, said the "Takbo para kay Kabayan" is their way of reaching out to their compatriots, especially those who are suffering maltreatment and unfair labor practices
"Finishing the Dubai Marathon which includes the grueling 42-km event as well as 10-km race is a major feat in itself but participating in that event to help others is glorious," he said.
“More than ever we are more determined to reach the finish line. Each stride, each bead of sweat, each glory and pain is dedicated to improve the lives of our fellow migrant workers," the IT professional added.
Yuri Cipriano, chairperson of UAE chapter of Migrante International (Migrante-UAE), seconded Bolingot on the cause of the "Takbo para kay Kabayan."
“The event is a clarion call to all Filipino expats to hold similar activities that will uplift the lives of their kababayans (countrymen) in the Middle East," he said.
Last November, the Filipino Runners-UAE had partnered with Migrante-AUE in the hopes of getting support for the project from other organizations under the Filipino Community (FilCom), an umbrella group of Filipino associations in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
For details on how to give donations to Takbo para kay Kabayan, visit filipinorunnersuae.com or call Euca Bolingot at +971 50 5189917.
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