Ronald's Reflection on the GK Run

Running for GK and our countrymen for a few hours is nowhere near the amont
of effort volunteers and workers do on a day-to-day basis on the GK
villages. This is our way of showing our appreciation to their dedication
to the families and community.

The camaraderie we build with the CFC families in Vienna who supported us
all the way before and after the race reflects the goal of GK that if we
work toward one goal we could make a difference. Their support, as minimal
as it seems, made us through the finish line. Hope through this race we
spread awareness to the rest of spectators here in Europe, that Filipinos
could support and care for their fellow less fortunate countrymen back home
and here abroad.

GK Advocates' Run featured in ABS-CBN

Nineteen Filipinos were among some 30,000 participants who joined the 26th Vienna City Marathon last Sunday.

Pinoy participants ran under the umbrella of Gawad Kalinga. The group’s overall coordinator, Jorge Villanueva, dubbed the event as Gawad Kalinga European Heroes Run.

Click to read on...

Special thanks to Mag. Hector Pascua (Euro-Phil. Press) for this article in the online platform of ABS-CBN.

Brother Jorge Villanueva talks on the 1st GK Vienna Marathon 2009

Indeed the Lord is great!

After 3 busy weekends for Couples for Christ (CFC) Vienna hosting the different European family ministries planning & retreats, last weekend “Gawad Kalinga (GK) Europe Heroes Run” was a fitting culmination of God’s faithfulness as we commit ourselves to take care of the poor, whom He loves most.

Please allow us to thank & honor everyone for their support & prayers that ensured the success of the 1st GK Europe Heroes Run kick –off here in Vienna .



Last Saturday’s kick-off party was honored with the presence of Rev. Fr. Cyril Villareal & the Hon. Minister Maria Teresa Almoujela, who touched everyone present with her very emotive address. The amiable diplomat is seriously considering the possibility of joining next year’s relay-marathon.



Sincere gratitude to our SOLD brothers under the leadership of Kuya Tom Dolor who prepared the food and the Special Events team headed by Ate Cris Sarmiento for the program. To the committed brothers & sisters of CFC & HOLD for preparing & decorating the venue from the bottom of hearts we say thank you, thank you!


The tireless supporters during the Vienna City Marathon (VCM) took long brisk walks & sporadic sprints during underground (U-bahn, Metro) transfers to be in strategic points to give full support to our GK runners. Definitely, everyone came out rejuvenated with the empowering experience, as we made quite a stir to the general public with our audible chants, & attractive GK Run t-shirts. The event inspired Jun Dano, CFC Vienna Chapter Head to commit to run for GK in the Dublin marathon in October & next year’s GK Heroes Run here in Vienna .


Salute to our half –marathon (21 K) heroes, Raynard Coscolluela, Vince Granado, Ernst Scaflechner, our two American friends from Gaming Lisa Regner & Josh Florence and Liza-Jane Jorque of Ireland the moving inspiration of the GK Europe Heroes Run. Almost all of them are looking forward to run the full – marathon (42 K) next year.


Much obliged to our modern day heroes , the Ireland Relay Team - Beatriz Vea (9.1 K), Ronald Belzena (11.3 K) , Ritche Bagasala (5.7) and Albert “Bimbo” Manuel (16.1 K) also for his spirit-filled testimony at the Saturday’s kick-off program. The relay- marathon (42 K) epitomizes the spirit of the Filipino Bayanihan.


Not to be outdone in their compassion for the poor were the youngest members of the CFC family- Kids for Christ (KFC), joined the Junior Marathon (4.2 K). Steven Benganal (12) Paulo Dacillo (10) Adrian Dimaano (13), Jude Dolor (12), & Jayjay Villanueva (11) simply proved, young as they are that one could truly embrace GK’s adage of “less for self, more for others, enough for all”. Many thanks, Kuya Ato / Ate Roanne Benganal for your faithfulness as CFC Vienna – KFC Coordinators.

Special thanks to our Documentation Team, Cesar Amada Biboy Blanco, Ato Benganal & the Singles for Christ (SFC) for the pictures (attached).

For more pictures go to

http://atoroanne.multiply.com/
http://cesaramada.multiply.com/

We are also grateful to Mag. Hector Pascua, Editor in Chief of Philippine Euro Press & Vienna correspondent of ABS- CBN (TFC) for covering the event.

Please continue to pray & support the GK Europe Heroes Run as it move to the beautiful city of Barcelona on 17 May 2009. Paris & Geneva will follow while this year’s GK Europe Heroes Run will culminate at the Dublin Marathon in October.

We can never rest on our laurels for the war against poverty must move forward with a total sense of urgency & commitment. We will not stop until there are NO MORE SLUMS! Therefore, we enjoined the different Filipino communities / organizations to RUN with us to rebuild the nation, as we look forward to next year’s GK Europe Heroes Run.

Congratulations! “We’ve only just began”

Thank very much indeed!

Maraming, maraning salamat sa inyong lahat!