The Philippine Sports Commission, with full support from leading energy drink Milo, is pushing even harder to make sure that this year’s Milo Walk, Run & Roll event will be a tremendous success.
“It’s a PSC project that began in 2024, an advocacy that we started when we found the need for projects not just for elite but para athletes,” said PSC commissioner Walter Torres during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the PSC media room.
Torres, who represented the Philippines in fencing during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, said the event set July 26 inside the vast UP Diliman campus caters to persons with disabilities and their respective families and friends.
“It will be a very festive atmosthere and a happy Sunday. Through this event we hope that respect between people with disabilities and those with none will be developed,” added Torres, who was glad that Milo shares the same advocacy.
The event was first staged in 2024 with 800 participants at UP Diliman, then followed last year in Surigao with a field of 3,000. For this year, organizers are expecting 5,000 entries with 2,000 having registered so far.
“We also invite all cancer survivors and even those with learning disabilities. They are all welcome to join. You also have a place in sports. You have a reason to be active,” added Torres at the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.
Para coach Joar Cavadores and wheelchair basketball and breast cancer survivor Gem Tayag also graced the forum along with Febe Sevilla, a sign language interpreter.
Cavadores said events are set at 1K, 3K, 5K and 10K.
“Napakaraming runs in the Philippines pero seldom we see runs for persons with disabilities. This event will recognize them and showcase that they belong. ‘Yung mga naka-wheelchair, crutches and prosthetics. ‘Yung takot nila lumabas, tinatanggal natin. This is life-changing,” he said.
For first-timers, Torres said a seminar will be held on July 9 “on how to relate and assist and manage persons with disabilities” during the competition.
“Isa po itong magandang experience para sa kanila. Makikita nila na kaya pala,” said Tayag.
Organizers have made sure that the route will cater well for those with disabilities.
“The route itself, pinag-isipan talaga na malawak ang roads. Safety was a main concern. Hindi pwede ‘yung may areas na pwede sila matapilok. The water stations, from 2.5 kms intervals ginawa namin 1.5 kms. And there is no cutoff time – just finish and enjoy the race,” he added,
