Nationwide charity workout starts

CEBU – In its commitment of promoting healthy and active lifestyle (HAL) and at the same time reaching out to charity groups, Coca-Cola Philippines kicked off its nationwide charity workout in Cebu City yesterday.

The workout session - dubbed as “HALika!” - has helped charity foundations nationwide. It aims to encourage Filipinos to live fit by regular physical activity, balanced diet and proper hydration.

Together with partners - Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Fitness First, and Nutrition Foundation of the Philippines - Coca-Cola will donate one peso for every calorie burned by its beneficiaries as part of the HAL campaign.

This year, the city government supported the campaign through Councilor Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem, the chairman of City Council committee on games, amusement and professional sports.

The beneficiaries of the “HALika Cebu!” workout session this year are the Kalinangan Youth Foundation (KALFI) and the Cebu City Task Force on Street Children (CCTFSC).

Breaking the record, more than 900 volunteers led by Dr. Jaja Hernandez of KALFI participated in the workout session with 158,000 calories were burned, which means earning the same amount for the foundation.

Former record-holder was the “HALika!” activity done earlier this year in Marikina City with only more than 500 participants from the Philippine National Red Cross. The activity burned about 141,000 calories.

The CCTFSC led by Margot Osmeña, the wife of Mayor Tomas Osmeña, participated in the event. The foundation was able to receive P81,743, which was the corresponding amount of calories burned.

Other beneficiaries of the HALika! campaign this year are Feed the Children, Baguio Re-greening Movement, Medical Outreach Missions Foundation Inc., Project Brave Kids, Gabriel Symphony, Operation Smile and the PNRC.

Other workout sessions will be held on October 11 at the People’s Park in Davao City, November 8 at Burnham Park in Baguio City, and December 6 at Rajah Sulayman Park in Manila.

HALika! already helped at least 32 beneficiaries with over 12,000 volunteers since its inception in September 2005. — Cressida Paula G. Delmo/LPM (THE FREEMAN)