Hundreds of runners gathered at the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) Parade Grounds on Saturday, November 9, 2024, for the kick-off of the Pinay In Action (PIA) Caravan Fun Run.
As a dedicated athlete and advocate for sports and wellness, Senator Cayetano launched the PIA Caravan — an initiative championed to promote health, wellness, and fitness nationwide — to inspire Filipinos to embrace active, healthy lifestyles.
The event drew participants from all backgrounds, including national team triathletes John Chicano, Patrick Ciron, Raymund Torio, and Sam Corpuz, along with national triathlon coach Melvin Fausto.
“Masaya po dahil marami pong kabataan ang nag-participate sa event, kaya magandang paraan ito para sa healthy living,” Chicano said.
“Maraming salamat kay Senador Cayetano dahil maraming kabataan ang na-engganyo sa pampalakasan. Magandang panimula po ito para mahikayat ang lahat na mag-sports,” added Torio.
Together, the group also rallied the community and encouraged them to join future PIA events.
Local leaders also showed their support, including CDC Vice President for Security Services Lina Sarmiento, Angeles City Councilor Raco Del Rosario, and Mabalacat City’s Chief of Staff Ralph Basti David, representing Mayor Cris Garbo.
“Ang CDC ay laging supportive sa mga ganitong activities. Maganda ang programa ni Senator Pia, kaya all-out ang suporta namin,” Sarmiento said. “Alam naman po natin na ang ating mayor [Garbo] ay fanatic sa good health,” David added. “Sabi niya, ‘Basti, ikaw pumunta sa fun run para ipaalam na sinusuportahan natin ang programa ni Sen. Cayetano.’”
David recalled Senator Cayetano’s previous visit to Mabalacat for the 2021 bike caravan, saying, “Malaking bagay na binabalik-balikan ni Sen. Pia ang Mabalacat dahil sa mga ganitong sports programs.”
Various community groups, including PTK (Presyo, Trabaho, Kita/Kaayusan) groups and running communities like Mabalacat Tekbokians Athletics, also joined the event.
Senator Cayetano, known as the Senate’s “Pinay in Action,” has long championed sports and wellness in her legislative work, fueled by her own experiences as a runner, cyclist, and triathlete. The next PIA Caravan event—a bike caravan—will be held in Tarlac on November 16, 2024.
Participants joined in the early Zumba session before taking to the scenic routes of Clark for the main run.
The event, supported by Mabalacat Mayor Cris Garbo and Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr., concluded with a raffle draw, giving away premium items to lucky participants.
This collaboration between PIA, Mabalacat and Angeles Cities LGUs, and Clark Development Corporation aims to promote active lifestyles and community engagement.
