Stardust

With global warming being in the forefront of issues nowadays, it is but high time to start caring for our environment and empowering people to build solutions to society’s most pressing problems.

If one would reckon, typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng brought massive destruction to the Philippines which resulted to lives and industries loss. Thousands of Filipinos were left homeless and million young school children’s education was disrupted and about 2,800 pre-school classrooms were destroyed.

Real life heroes sprung to action last September 2009 to help typhoon victims and everyone saw that ‘bayanihan’ spirit is still very much alive in each and every Filipino who heeds the call of their fellowmen.

This year, runners from all walks of life gathered at Bonifacio Global City in the City of Taguig last June 13 for a very good advocacy–helping shape the course of our nation through The Bottle School Run.

Thanks to the brilliant and award-winning social entrepreneur and founder of MyShelter Foundation Illac Diaz for bringing in the idea to the country of using PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles to replace hollow blocks and mortar to raise fallen walls and rebuild the dreams of young children.

The Bottle School Run is not a run for a ’cause’ but a run for ’solution’. This groundbreaking event aims to raise at least 9,000 1.5 and 2-liter plastic soda bottles to build the first plastic bottle school in the country.

A Race to raise

As early as 4:30AM, people start flocking at Bonifacio, High Street with their plastic bottles on hand. Phil. Coast Guard and Navy teams stood patiently on queue waiting for their turn in the registration area while kids with their parents, grannys and even pets were in their sports gear, ready to stretch some muscles.

A group of kidney transplant patients from the Kidney Transplant Association of the Philippines was also seen at the event to show support to the advocacy. Myracel Manuel with friends Janet Ancheta, Manila Lasac and Sheryl Ponferada, who signed up for the 3km run, were in sunny dispositions that morning. Apparently, joining fun runs is actually not new to these ladies, “We join this run to let people know that even though you are a transplant patient, you can do normal activities like running,” said Myracel.

Amazed how this fun run can help save the environment, Manuel and her friends immediately signed up as soon as they saw the event ads on the internet. “It’s amazing. Using plastic bottles as foundation [for school building] is a good way to recycle plastic bottles.”

On the other hand, a group of semi-bald headed men clad in orange shirts was in one corner of the venue eagerly waiting for the run to start. Jonathan Mabanag, Julian Alcip and Ryan Calderon, all from Philippine Coastguard and running for the 5km dash said that they are participating in the first Bottle School Run to join the advocacy and for physical fitness. Asked about their thoughts on MyShelter Foundation’s project, “Maganda kasi nakakatulong sa kabataan. Naiibang paraan para sa pagtulong ng nangangailangan, kailangan nating suportahan ‘to,” [A good way to help the kids. This is a unique way in helping those who are in need, we need to support it.] shared Julian and Ryan.

“It helps the environment by disposing the plastic bottles properly, lalo na ngayong tag-ulan, kung magkakalat tayo, yan ang mostly na dahilan kaya nagka-clog canals natin. Imbes na itapon natin, ibigay na lang natin sa nangangailangan,” [It helps the environment by disposing the plastic bottles properly, especially now that it's already rainy season, if we're going to throw our wastes anywhere, that's the usual reason why our canals are clogged. Instead of throwing our plastic bottles, let's just give them to those who need it."] added Mabanag.

Onwards the first Bottle School

The first gunshot signaling the start of the run was fired at about 5:40AM. Former Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Miriam Quiambao was also present and participated in the 10km run. Aside from Quiambao, Taguig Congressman Freddie Tinga was also there to grace the event. In just less than an hour, almost all the runners were back to the venue for some refreshment combined with an entertainment from the unique and cultural upbeat music of the Aqua Drummers led by percussionist Jean Paul Zialcita.

At exactly 7:00 AM, the awarding was held where two sets (men and women category) of winners were declared for the 3km, 5km and 10km categories.

Michelle de Vera, a 12 year-old runner, emerged as one and also the youngest of the winners. The girl from Paranaque, who ran in the 3km dash, with a time of 11min and 13s, were at the Fort Bonifacio, Global City as early as 5:00AM with her older siblings. Asked if it was her first time to join a fun run, Michelle immediately said that she has been joining fun runs ever since and already lost track of the count.

Michelle likewise lauded how plastic bottles are being recycled in building schools and even cited one example where plastic bottles were also used in building boats.

The Bottle School Run ended at 7:30AM with almost 400 registrants and more or less 600 plastic bottles. The first Bottle School in the country will be built in Maharlika Village, Taguig City where typhoons had battered a school building that sorely needs rehabilitation. With the support of the Department of Education, the City of Taguig, Pepsi, Insular Life, and Cecon, the green construction of the first ever recycled plastic building in the country shall commence in a few months time.

So, next time you think of putting those plastic bottles in the trash bin, think again, for you’ll never know what wonders they can do to others. Plastic is really hazardous to the environment, but if used rightly and efficiently, then these plastics can help a lot in bringing hope, saving futures, lives and even a nation

And to quote Illac Diaz, “The run doesn’t end at the finish line but it’s the start of building a better nation.”

***MyShelter Foundation is a non-stock, non-profit organization that aims to create a system of sustainability and reliability through its capacity-building and employment-generating projects. One of the strengths of the foundations is to find innovative solutions to fight climate change through sustainable, eco-friendly , low-cost, disaster-resistant structures.

MyShelter’s core mission is to empower its beneficiaries, using their energies as the greatest force for their upliftment.***

All photos by Liz Reyes