Members of the Oil, Kiao and Peacock Jaycees in Palawan celebrate the successful holding of Alay Lakad 2007 in Puerto Princesa City on September 2, 2007.
THE PUERTO Princesa City Coliseum was bursting with people this morning, September 2, during the Alay Lakad 2007 walk-for-a-cause chaired by the JCIP-Puerto Princesa Peacock, Inc. in coordination with the JCIP-Puerto Princesa Oil and the JCIP-Puerto Princesa Kiao.
As early as 5:15 a.m., the 8,000-sitting capacity coliseum ran out of space to receive more walkers who did not enter anymore, but remained outside the venue.
It was estimated that the number of participants surpassed the volume of people that the coliseum can accommodate.
At 4:00 a.m., an hour before the agreed walk time, people started gathering at the three designated assembly areas for Alay Lakad: Western Command Headquarters for Group I, Palawan Electric Cooperative for Group 2 and Capitol Green Park for Group 3.
Each group was led by participants from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), followed by streamer-bearing groups, numbering to about 232, joining the annual event.
The morning mood inside the coliseum was perked up when coordinators of the healthy lifestyle program from the City Health Office started taking over the floor to lead the participants to an early dance exercise. All joined, including the VIPs on stage.
The members of the three LOMs in the City also joined the healthy lifestyle coordinators in leading the exercise (see photo left).
During the program, JCI Mem. George Vasquez, president of the Oil Jaycees and this year’s elected president of Alay Lakad Foundation, Inc. (ALFI), the prime organization behind the walk-for-a-cause, explained the annual goal of the activity for the underprivileged youth. He also showed an 8-minute video presentation that informed the public about Alay Lakad’s history and the role of the Junior Chamber in its implementation.
He also mentioned about a training center building that the ALFI will aim to construct in the coming months.
JCI Mem. Emilyn R. Bayna, LOM president of the JCIP-Puerto Princesa Peacock, Inc. and this year’s Alay Lakad overall chairperson, on the other hand, encouraged the participants to continue supporting the walk-for-a-cause which will benefit the out-of-school-youth (OSY).
She said that this year, the goal is to raise PhP300,000.00 to send more deserving OSYs to school, and to sponsor more technical and vocational skills training-seminars for them.
Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn has pledged to give PhP100,000.00 in support to the cause of the OSY. Other funds will come from the tickets sold earlier for Alay Lakad.
Several awards were given this morning by the organizers; these are the Early Bird Awards (each for the three group), the youngest and oldest walkers, and the Jolliest Group.
Councilor Roger Castro of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and also ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan as OIC-president of the Philippine Councilor’s League-Palawan Chapter, represented Mayor Hagedorn and provincial Governor Joel T. Reyes. In his short speech, he delivered the good news of Mayor Hagedorn’s pledge.
The Alay Lakad was attended by Commodore Ruperto Rico Borromeo, commander of the WESCOM; Col. Ramon Mabalot, commanding officer of MBLT-10; Ponciano Payuyo of PALECO (past president of ALFI and also a member of the Oil Jaycees); Col. Tony Villarete, wing commander of the 4th Tactical Operations Wing; Col. Dennis Peña of the Provincial PNP Command; Bong Arzaga of the Department of Education; Lolita Yulo of ALFI and the department head of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO); NVP Claudette E. Sendaydiego of the JCIP-Palawan Region, and many others.
