PWDe RUN: Fun Run for ALL Abilities

In His time, in His time,
He makes all things beautiful in His time.
Lord, please show me every day,
as You’re teaching me Your way,
that You do just what You say, in Your time.

The inspiring lyrics of the song "In His Time" wafted in the cool morning air in UP Diliman. Dianne Ball penned the words back in the 1970s but the spirit of the song resonated with vigor yet again this Dec 1, 2024  morning among the hundreds of participants of the PWDe Run. 

The Bicolano Penguin and son Marcel were among the participants who braved the rain this Sunday morning.  We were there to join my nephew Israel and his brother MJ in the fun run organized by the Boundless Possibilities Foundation, Inc. (BPFI). The two of us could have missed the 2024 PWDe Run if not for the angelic intercession of fellow AOLP lector Sol Bautista who is a good friend of one of the leaders of the foundation. Truly, in His Time, the good Lord work in many helpful and powerful ways.  

 

To say that the 2024 PWDe Run is a success is a bit of an understatement. For the numerous participants, both neuro-diverse adults or not, the fun run is a big success.  The PWDe Run in UP Diliman gets to show yet again the wisdom of the famous words of the great Nelson Mandela at the Laureus World Sports Award in 2000:  Sports has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people  in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand.

And of all the sports out there, running is one of the more inclusive.  In a Sept 2024 USAWire article, running is celebrated as one of the most reachable sports actitivities global, requiring no minimum device and no special centers. It is a pastime that humans of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can participate in, making it a sincerely inclusive form of workout. 

More than a workout, the PWde Run is a sports and social activity where the community come together to celebrate the human spirit that is undaunted.  It showed us that a fun run is for all abilities.  

Don't take my word for it. The photos will do the talking:

Like a mothership, the big tent at the National Science Complex amphiteater beckoned all to gather for the PWDe Run.  

       

Even the legendary Zorro got curious of the PWde Run spectacle unfolding. 

The mothership was a hive of frenetic activity amidst the morning drizzle. 

A group of neuro-diverse adults who have someting unique to give, the Gentle Giants led the invocation with the singing of "In His Time."  

Singing of the National Anthem.  We are all Filipinos, regardless of gender, creed and ability. 

Zumba to warm up the runners. 

  

The gang at the starting line. Excited and raring to  go.

Look at them go.  A ton of energy at the start for MJ . 

Uncle and Nephew taking it easy.  A 12-min 1km run is the same distance as a 6-min 1km run. 

Cousins compe prepared for the drizzle. 

Our trio a 3rd of the way in the 2km run.  

Thank you Pocari for the free drinks. 

The PWDe Run participants were all disciplined in throwing the drinking caps properly. No unwanted trash here.

Race volunteer from UP Dreamers cheering on the runners. 

Israel having a brief chat with UP Dreamers at the water hydration station. Mabuhay ang UP Dreamers at TBR Dream Marathon  

Getting the 2nd rubber band signifying Israel is near the finish line.  

Cheers and pom poms at the finish line. The full fun run experience for the PWDe runners.  

Yes! The thrill of a finish. 

Proud Uncle here. 

Sub 30mins for the 2kms.   

Israel receives his finisher medal.  The medals are handcrafted by PWD artists. More than a medal, it is a badge of honor that inspires inclusion.  

A photo with BPFI's Jo who has been  championing the Gentle Giants for many years.  

Free ice cream for everyone. 

PWDe Run participants eagerly and patiently in line for the free taho. 

Free Fever Aid and Poten Cee from Pascual Laboratories.  

Much kudos to the BPFI which did a  good job organizing the 2024 PWDe Run, with help from the UP Dreamers, Epsilon Chi Center, Introspeck, PDAO QC , and  School of Labor & Industrial Relations UP. True to their boundless spirit, the officers and staff of the BPFI are an inspiration on how to get things done in the past, present and the future. I remember, Jo Palomares, one of the BPHI leaders, of being the spark for the successful 2019 PWD Run.  In the words of Sol, the BPFI have a ton of activities for adults with autism in sports, art, music, and entreprenuership. 

BPFI officers and members fun at work during the race kit distribution

The PWDe Run organizers diligently prepared helpful advisories and notices for the participants. 

Registered in the last quarter of 2019 as a foundation, the BPFI started off as a family support group in 2007 (as the the Diliman chapter of the Autism Society of the Phils), moved on to become a multi-purpose cooperative in 2017 as the KASPI-MPC. The founders of the BPFI are parents with children with neuro-developmental activities (PNDs). The BPFI has a program called  SSAAMEE which stands for Spirituality, Sports, Arts, dvocacy, Music, Employment and Entrepreneurship.  The program creates opportunities that allow the PMDs endearingly called Gentle Giants to learn and enhance skills leading to productivity.     

After the PWDe Run, the BP had the opportunity to meet one of the Gentle Giants while checking out the merchandise for sale by the BPFI.  He is Al Kim and he is one good visual artist. Al Kim is the one that designed  the shirts on sale. I find his work beautiful to look at.  Learned from the BPFI website that some of the Art Collab works of Al Kim and other Gentle Giants have been used by a Singaporean company for their inclusive fashion.  

A photo with the friendly Al Kim, a talented artist. 

  

Proudly wearing one of Al Kim's creation.

The work of Al Kim are truly a work of art. Goes to show us that the Gentle Giants have something unique to give.  Read in a science paper that children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) may demonstrate a deep sense of creativity.  Children with autism often demonstrate drawing abilities. 

Have seen this remarkable  drawing abilities in  my nephew Israel.  Together with his brother MJ, they 2 have done  art exhibits   in SM Megamall and Capital Commons showcasing their paintings. In the 2024 art exhibit, cash from the sale of one of Israel's paintings was donated to fund the solar rooftop of a public high school in a remote mountainous area between Camarines Sur and Albay. An example of the unique ability of a PWD (or PND) being utilized to help a community.       

  

With the majestic Mayon Volcano in the background, the photo of the public high school where the solar rooftop (at the left) is funded by the proceeds of the sale of a painting done by a PWD artist.   

Looking at the PWDe Run experience and the special abilities of Al Kim and Israel, one can't help but be enligthened of  the truism of the words of the MIT systems scientist Peter Senge:  

"All human beings are born with unique gifts.  The healthy functioning community depends on realizing the capacity to develop each gift."    

Again, kudos to BPFI and the Gentle Giants. Congratulations to all the runners and race volunteers of the 2024 PWDe Run.  Our wish is there be more fun events like this.