𝟐,𝟔𝟎𝟐 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐮𝐧 𝐑𝐮𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐏𝐆𝐅𝐈 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬

Driven by personal grit and a mission to clear the financial path for scholars of the Sr. Pauline Guilmette Foundation, Inc. (SPGFI), 2,602 runners crossed the finish line of the Platinum Dash 2026 at San Pedro College (SPC) Ulas Campus this Sept. 27.

The Fun Run trilogy’s grand finale began at 4:00 AM, bringing together runners as individuals, duos, families, barkadas, employees, alumni, or classmates across the 3KM and 7KM routes, making a mark on SPC’s 70th founding anniversary.

Following the opening spiel, SPC Alumni Association President Remark Mortalla took the stage to deliver his welcome remarks and kick off the event.

In a private interview, Mortalla highlighted the significance of concluding the multi-year event during such a landmark anniversary year, particularly for the SPGFI scholars.

“These are children, from grade 10 to grade 12, who are financially challenged, but they are very much worthy, very much qualified, to receive scholarship support. The purpose, really, is not just for us to become united, to show how compassionate we are, but also to help those who are in need. So we partner with the Sr. Pauline Guilmette Foundation, Inc. (SPGFI). They are the ones managing the scholarship program. The proceeds of the run will go to the foundation, and the foundation supports the children in our mission schools,” he stated.

Following the opening spiel and welcoming remarks, a Zumba warm-up was facilitated by Zumba instructor Zin Julie from the School of Medical Laboratory Science and Public Health (SMLSPH), alongside SPC P.E. teachers, before runners were sent off for the 7KM and 3KM gunstarts, respectively.

Consequently, Volunteer Service Provider (VSP) Food Committee member Danna Samantha Torres shared that while months of planning still had last-minute challenges on the ground, the event succeeded as an homage to the scholars, something that “hits home” for service providers.

That dedication, which translated into the efforts for the Platinum Dash, was reportedly felt by SPGFI scholar Jheo Solis of Saint Vincent Academy of Maragusan (SVAM), who said, “I’m so very grateful nga naabot ko diria nga point, diria sa San Pedro, kay dili baya tanan estudyante ang mahatagan ug pagkakataon na maka-enjoy aning Fun Run, dili tanan mahatagan ug scholarship, so thankful jud kaayo ko sa mga nag-sponsor sa SPGFI, sa mga foundation.”

“Dagko siya’g impact para sa akoa, kay as a scholar under sa SPGFI Foundation, maka-tabang siya sa akoang studies and makita pud nako personally ang mga person nga nitabang, ni-support sa amoang foundation para makapadayon sa amoang pagskwela,” Scholar Nelyzza Eliseo, of Holy Cross of Magsaysay, Inc. (HCMI), added to the statement.

As the morning progressed, energy surged along the 7KM and 3KM routes, where participants ran for a common cause, among them being John Michael Gomez, 3-time champion of the 7KM category, who shared a legacy with runners who wish to achieve the same win.

“I think ang mabilin ko po is to manage your time properly and plan out your day, structure your day so you can be as productive as possible and you have the energy to go through the day,” Gomez said.

Following the distribution of the monetary prizes for each category, SPC Cluster Director of Student Personnel Services Belindo Aguilar and Sr. Aida Frencillo delivered the message of appreciation to sponsors, participants, and program funders, officially closing the event.

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