July 8, 2012 marked the first Kapamilya Run in General Santos City.  ABS-CBN GenSan aims to help the children of Bantay Bata 163 Socsksargen from the run’s registration proceeds.  And the Generals heeded the call to run for this cause.

Even after a heavy rainfall, thousands of Generals flocked to the city’s Oval Plaza to be part of the event. Members of the different run clubs from General Santos City and neighboring towns and cities, run enthusiasts, non-runners from the government and private companies, young and old, all were excited to run.

The Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts were immediately deployed to their areas of responsibility.  Unmindful of the drizzle, the smiles on their faces showed their excitement to be a part of the run.   

Shortly thereafter, the first family who came for the run at 4:30am and early birds were soon interviewed for TV Patrol Socsksargen.

At 4:50am, the warm-up dance set the upbeat mood for the runners and organizers. Everyone danced to the beat.  Those on the sidelines swayed with the runners.  ABS-CBN personnel led by GenSan Station Manager Adel Sampayan also clapped, danced, jumped and sang unmindful of the sleepless night before for the set-up under heavy rains. TV Patrol Socsksargen Anchor and Reporter Jay Dayupay joined in the dancing, as if he did not help in carrying the steel barriers early on.

M.O.R.’s Alex Bao and Magandang Umaga, South Central Mindanao (MUS) Executive Producer Joefer Tacardon wore smiles after days and nights of preparation for the run.

The General Santos City Police Office, Joint Task Force GenSan and the 1002^nd Brigade of the Philippine Army came in full force to run and to secure the runners.

Ms. Adel Sampayan, ABS-CBN Station Manager welcomed and thanked everyone for coming and taking part in sharing their blessings for the children of Bantay Bata 163 Socsksargen.  From there, runners were reminded of their categories’ race routes and to stand by for their category’s gun start.

When the gun started for the 10k category at 5:10am, everyone was in high spirits which brought the sun out.

Every 10 minutes after that, the 5K, 3K and 1.6K runners also started with a bang.

Just 24 minutes after, the first 10K finisher received his medal.  Children raced to be first, second and third places in the 1.6K category.  Some 5K finishers even came in earlier than those in the 3K category.

The rain came pouring down again when the runners were at the finish line but it was a run from the heart and so nothing can dampen the runners’ spirits. And with medals hanging on their necks and certificates clutched in their hands, the Kapamilya Run GenSan runners went home with a happy heart.  So did ABS-CBN GenSan for the outpouring of support.  Daghang Salamat! Until the next run!