Kalayaan/Freedom 5K Run Celebrates 124th Philippine Independence By Bel Molina

Kalayaan/Freedom 5K Run celebrates 124^th Philippine Independence

The 2^nd annual event gives opportunity to commemorate historic event

By Bel Molina

New York - On Sunday, June 5, 2022, several runners in New York City gathered to celebrate the 124^th Philippine Independence. 124 years ago on June 12, 1898, the Philippine Declaration of Independence was proclaimed by Filipino revolutionary forces. It asserted the sovereignty and independence of the Philippines from the colonial rule of Spain. 

From L-R: Deputy Consul General Arman Talbo of the Philippine Consulate General of NY, organizers Bel Molina and Ruby Lagare, flag bearer Gerald Tabios, and organizer Anthony Galsim.

The annual Kalayaan/Freedom 5K Run was launched last year by runner friends Anthony Galsim, Bel Molina and Ruby Lagare, to celebrate Philippine Independence within the New York City running community. This laudable event helps raise awareness of the Filipino culture in the New York City running community while promoting health and fitness. 

Several NYC running groups participated in the event sharing the common ideals of health, fitness and community.   These include Midnight Runners NYC, Balut Patrol, UFRGVN, Adidas Runners NYC, Asian Trail Mix, Front Runners NY, On Running, Pinoy Runners USA/New Jersey, Queens Distance Runners, and Woodside-Sunnyside Runners. 

Runners ran the 3.1-mile course along Fifth Avenue from the Philippine Center on 45^th Street, to the iconic Central Park and back to the scenic Madison Park along Madison Avenue, where the Philippine Cultural Program and Street Fair was being held in light of the Philippine Independence Day Celebration.

Multi-awarded Filipino ultrarunner Gerald Tabios proudly carried the Philippine Flag throughout the course. Jon Perroni, Tommy Chou, and Jojo Santiago paced and kept the runners on track. Sponsors Tradisyon NYC, Kabisera NYC, First Principles NYC, and the Philippine Consulate General of New York provided gift items for the fun trivia games throughout the course.

Photo credit: Redford Mancio and Dustin Dalisay