SENATOR PIA TO RUN IN TAGUIG
'Pinay in Action' 2007

It is confirmed. Senator Pia S. Cayetano will be running in Taguig City.

Not for the city's mayoralty post, however, as speculations have suggested in recent weeks. But literally: by leading around 1,000 women on an annual advocacy run to promote women's rights and health to mark the international women's month of March.

Dubbed 'Pinay in Action' 2007, the event is a five- and ten-kilometer fun run open to all female running enthusiasts, both amateur and professional, and regardless of age and abilities. It kicks off this Sunday, March 18, at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Registration begins 5:00 AM while race starts 6:00 AM.

"More than just a running event, Pinay in Action impresses on young girls, single women, moms and grandmothers the importance of looking after their health and welfare by keeping fit and being fully aware of their rights and privileges as women," said Cayetano.

She explained that Pinay in Action, the fun run, is actually the yearly culmination of a grassroots education and information campaign led by the senator herself on issues such as Republic Act 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act, breastfeeding, and major ailments stalking Filipino women like cervical and breast cancer. Also part of her year-round program is the staging of running and fitness clinics in different schools across the country to discover potential young female athletes.

"It's never too early or too late to take on a healthy lifestyle, take up a sport, or learn more about one's rights. All women, especially those confined to daily routines like office work, looking after their husband and kids and other domestic chores, should be accorded the right to find personal time for health and fitness activities.

"Women should also be able to exercise their rights, especially against domestic violence and all forms of abuse and gender discrimination. The key to all this is education and awarenessand that's what this event is all about," emphasized the senator, a triathlete and finisher of the grueling New York Marathon in November last year.

Aside from being divided into four age brackets (19 years old and below, 20-29, 30-39 and 40 and above), this year's Pinay in Action will feature perhaps a first in the history of women's running events in the countryby including a special category for differently abled women who'll 'run' on wheelchair.

Cayetano said among those joining the run are multi-awarded athletes from the Philippine Paralympics Team. "We're opening this year's event to them to send the message that differently abled women can be as fit and as physically competitive like any of usor maybe even better. It is an honor to have them in Pinay in Action."

Expected to join this year's run are female employees' groups from the Philippine Senate and other government offices, students, media staff and young urban professionals, running clubs and a number of mother-and-daughter teams who have made Pinay in Action their annual "bonding activity."

As for male runners, the senator said the event will also be opened to them, on the condition that they stay behind the female runners at the starting line.

"Sure, we welcome all male runners who are willing to support our various causes. Unfortunately, they won't be entitled to any of the prizes at stakeassuming that they outrun our best women runners. They would have to play second fiddle and abide by our rules!" she enthused.