1st Philippine Water Runs (PWR)

Press Release
28 May 2011


THE FIRST running series for clean drinking water in the Philippines is slated to begin in Cebu on July 24. 


The 1st Philippine Water Runs (PWR) is the first multileg running event in the country whose advocacy is to boost awareness on the imporatance of water and raise funds to provide access to clean, drinking water for families without sustainable water sources.

PWR is in line with the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals that as it promotes child and maternal care by preventing water-borne diseases common to children and pregnant women. 


Lack of clean and safe water is fast-becoming one of the world’s biggest problems. In the Philippines, access to clean water remains quite a challenge.

According to the UN-MDGF, over 1.1 billion people worldwide don’t have access to clean and safe water, including 15.73 million Filipinos.

``It is both ironic and critical that an archipelago such as ours has that little access to safe drinking water,’’ says Erwin Po, president of the sponsoring Veepo Global resources, exclusive distributor of LifeStraw. 


``We are aiming to somehow make a dent in those huge numbers by raising funds to provide LifeStraw and hopefully better the lives of our countrymen.’’

LifeStraw, a brand of portable water filter that was used by Unicef in its humanitarian efforts in Africa. In 2005, it was named invention of the Year by Time magazine.

The races will run through Cebu in July, Davao (August), Naga (September), Baguio (October), Angeles-Clark (November) and Metro Manila (December). 


The runs are open in all running enthusiasts.

Categories include the 3K race, 5K and 12 K in the provincial legs, and a special 21K race for the final leg in Metro Manila. 


Cash prizes and specially crafted trophies will be given to the top 10 winners of each category. For the 5k and 10k categories, 13 years old and above are qualified to join. The 3k race is also open to all ages who wish to run this short distance but only the top three 12-years-old below finishers are qualified to win cash prizes.

``We are preparing very unique race packets for every participant, that will include a collector’s item special Dri-Fit Shirt made by Jockey USA, and other collectibles,’’ reveals overall race director Adi Delos Reyes, who has been behind such big running events such as the Subic International Marathon and The Enterprise Center Vertical Run.

Registration dates and venues will soon be announced.

This early, the city governments of Cebu and Davao, have already committed their support to the event. Beneficiaries are the Children’s Hour and Kaakbay sa Kalikasan. Proceeds from the races will be used to improve water conditions and provide LifeStraw to the most deprived communities.

For inquiries on how to support The Philippine Water Runs or participate in your area, e-mail randy.caluag@veepo.net.