Special Features (as of 1:17 AM)
Filipinas relive 'Alay Lakad' in The Netherlands
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Filipinas got to taste a little bit of home after finishing a five-kilometer walkathon “Alay Lakad” style in The Hague, Netherlands.
The "Duinenmars Walkathon" is held every year in order to support the activities of the youth particularly the scouts, as well as to strengthen the relationship of kins through a familial five-kilometer and ten-kilometer walk-for-a-cause.
It started in 1952 with 3,100 participants and among this year’s 12,500 marchers were 60 senior citizens in their 70s or 80s, who were part of the very first event.
The medals, marked 56 (for the 56th walk), which hung on these senior citizens' chests were certainly a source of inspiration to all the marchers.
Eric Weawal, a 78-year-old Dutch, didn’t mind battling five kilometers of rocky and sandy paths, as he walked with the help of a cane.
“I started walking for a cause in 1952. This is my 56th year and I will continue for my health and to help support the scouts,” he proudly said.
Another 83-year-old who did not want to be identified, walked in formal attire wearing a crisp, white long-sleeved shirt and beige trousers.
He wanted to look his best when he gets his 56th medal which may be his last as he feels his age is starting to catch up on him.
He explained that the walkathon can be done for two days, four times.
“I did 56 times. Walk everyday two. You can walk two days then you have four. In my case I walked different years two days, four marches, therefore at this moment, I have now 56. I didn’t walk 56 years, I have walked 56 times,” he said.
The chairman of Duinenmars, Louis Vander Pal, said that there are a lot of families walking.
“So people who have walked here for the eleventh time are now walking as grandparents with their grandchildren,” Vander Pal said.
The fund generated from the registration fees are allocated to benefit the different associations of scouts of South Holland and to the charities helping the handicapped youth.
Two Filipinas, remembering the Alay Lakad in the Philippines, which is also a walk-for-a-cause event organized in 1972, started the Duinenmars last year.
It wasn’t beginner’s luck for them because it rained the whole day with a temperature of 13 degrees Celsius.
Jimenez and Ebeo with daughters at the finish line.But that didn’t stop Rose Jimenez from dragging her two half-Dutch daughters, aged 12 and 10, to Duinenmars again this year.
“Actually second time na naming sumama dito sa Duinenmars. But this time it’s better because it’s dry. Last year it was really raining. Basang basa kaming lahat but it was fun. Bakit ginagawa? For a cause and for fun,” Jimenez said.
For another Filipina, it was déjà vu for mother and daughter.
Margie Ebeo has tons of amusing anecdotes to tell her 12-year-old daughter about her Alay Lakad days in Manila, from going home barefoot because of very sore feet to passing out because of the sweltering heat.
But she finds Duinenmars as an easy way to explain Alay Lakad to her daughter who crossed the finish line in her socks, also due to sore feet.
These Filipinas joined this charitable event not only to solidify their bondings with their daughters and share with them the experience of Alay Lakad, but also to inculcate in them the value of walking for a cause.
Indeed they are able to relive the sacrifices of their youth in such a far away continent as Europe, the Alay Lakad way.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=75546
Filipinas relive 'Alay Lakad' in The Netherlands
By LOUI GALICIA
ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau
Filipinas got to taste a little bit of home after finishing a five-kilometer walkathon “Alay Lakad” style in The Hague, Netherlands.
The "Duinenmars Walkathon" is held every year in order to support the activities of the youth particularly the scouts, as well as to strengthen the relationship of kins through a familial five-kilometer and ten-kilometer walk-for-a-cause.
It started in 1952 with 3,100 participants and among this year’s 12,500 marchers were 60 senior citizens in their 70s or 80s, who were part of the very first event.
The medals, marked 56 (for the 56th walk), which hung on these senior citizens' chests were certainly a source of inspiration to all the marchers.
Eric Weawal, a 78-year-old Dutch, didn’t mind battling five kilometers of rocky and sandy paths, as he walked with the help of a cane.
“I started walking for a cause in 1952. This is my 56th year and I will continue for my health and to help support the scouts,” he proudly said.
Another 83-year-old who did not want to be identified, walked in formal attire wearing a crisp, white long-sleeved shirt and beige trousers.
He wanted to look his best when he gets his 56th medal which may be his last as he feels his age is starting to catch up on him.
He explained that the walkathon can be done for two days, four times.
“I did 56 times. Walk everyday two. You can walk two days then you have four. In my case I walked different years two days, four marches, therefore at this moment, I have now 56. I didn’t walk 56 years, I have walked 56 times,” he said.
The chairman of Duinenmars, Louis Vander Pal, said that there are a lot of families walking.
“So people who have walked here for the eleventh time are now walking as grandparents with their grandchildren,” Vander Pal said.
The fund generated from the registration fees are allocated to benefit the different associations of scouts of South Holland and to the charities helping the handicapped youth.
Two Filipinas, remembering the Alay Lakad in the Philippines, which is also a walk-for-a-cause event organized in 1972, started the Duinenmars last year.
It wasn’t beginner’s luck for them because it rained the whole day with a temperature of 13 degrees Celsius.
Jimenez and Ebeo with daughters at the finish line.But that didn’t stop Rose Jimenez from dragging her two half-Dutch daughters, aged 12 and 10, to Duinenmars again this year.
“Actually second time na naming sumama dito sa Duinenmars. But this time it’s better because it’s dry. Last year it was really raining. Basang basa kaming lahat but it was fun. Bakit ginagawa? For a cause and for fun,” Jimenez said.
For another Filipina, it was déjà vu for mother and daughter.
Margie Ebeo has tons of amusing anecdotes to tell her 12-year-old daughter about her Alay Lakad days in Manila, from going home barefoot because of very sore feet to passing out because of the sweltering heat.
But she finds Duinenmars as an easy way to explain Alay Lakad to her daughter who crossed the finish line in her socks, also due to sore feet.
These Filipinas joined this charitable event not only to solidify their bondings with their daughters and share with them the experience of Alay Lakad, but also to inculcate in them the value of walking for a cause.
Indeed they are able to relive the sacrifices of their youth in such a far away continent as Europe, the Alay Lakad way.
SOURCE: WWW.ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=75546
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