A year ago, we had Ondoy. 2011 had just began, and we already have two natural disasters that shook the world: the New Zealand earthquake, and the Japan quake and tsunami. Nature is unleashing its fury. The weather is also becoming so unpredictable that you start to wonder that maybe, the Mayans were right.

I guess that’s probably why movements on natural resources conservation have been gaining popularity. People are finally beginning to realize the importance of taking care of the world we live in, and conserving our resources that are slowly drying out. The Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources (or Haribon Foundation for short) have long stood and fought for this. They’re an organization dedicated to the conservation of Philippine biodiversity, aiming to build a constituency for environmental issues that will prioritize conservation actions on habitats and sites, based on solid, scientific and socio-economic research.

This year, Haribon Foundation is one of the four beneficiaries of Globe Run for Home, a yearly running event organized by Globe to raise funds for charity. I’ve always supported this run since its first-ever event, and I’m really glad they included Haribon Foundation — an organization I’ve long considered to be the “nature heroes” of the Philippines.

The race will be held on March 27, 2011 in Bonifacio Global City. Reg fees are pegged at Php650 for 3k, Php750 for 5k, Php850 for 10k, Php950 for 15k, and Php1,050 for 21k. It’s a bit pricey compared to other runs, but for every runner who registers, their chosen beneficiary will be guaranteed donation. Obviously, Haribon Foundation is my beneficiary of choice… And I hope it would be yours too 🙂

Globe Run for Home and Haribon Foundation logos by kutitots, on Flickr

The race kit includes the usual: singlets, D-tag race chip, race bib, runpix analysis, downloadable photos, and a finisher medal for the 21k category. The singlet is actually one of the inclusions I’ve liked since last year in a Globe Run. My husband and I have already accumulated a closet-full of singlets from races we’ve joined for the past two years, but the Globe singlet is… special 😛 Aside from being very comfy to wear, it’s made of 100% recycled PET plastic bottles. Interesting, eh? Who’d have thought plastic bottles could be made into a shirt.

Globe Run for Home 2011 singlet by kutitots, on Flickr

Another innovation for this year’s Globe Run is for runners and non-runners alike to participate. Through Globe GCASH, family, friends and relatives of runners can show their support by donating to the beneficiaries. To send donation for Haribon Foundation, text DONATE (space) AMOUNT (space) MPIN (space) HARIBON and send to 2882.

To join the run, you can register online by logging on the Globe Run for Home website. You can also register and pay through cash at the Run for Home 2011 physical registration booth at the 4th floor Cinema Lobby of Greenbelt 3 in Makati City from February 28 to March 20. Runners who paid online through credit card will have their kits delivered to their doorstep, while those who pay in cash may claim their kits at the on-site reg booth from noon to 8pm.

Globe R4H registration center by kutitots, on Flickr

For two years, I’ve ran the 3k category. In 2009, I ran the shortest category for the simple reason that it was my first-ever run in 10 years. Last year, I chose 3k simply because I already ran 5k the week before in a different race. This year, I’ll just be doing 5k. I would have wanted at least 10k, but my husband Marc was strongly opposed to it. He wanted me to take it easy, I’d be running 42.2k (full marathon) the week before after all. He’s going to be my personal pacer during my full marathon this Sunday, running with me from start to finish of the entire 42.2k stretch, so I’d give him credit and respect what he thought is best for us both 🙂

See you at the starting line! 🙂

P.S.
Please pick Haribon Foundation as your beneficiary if you are to register! 🙂