People with disabilities participate in QC marathon relay

As they observe the International Day of Persons with Disability (IDPD), some 300 people with disability took part in a race around the Amoranto Stadium oval in Quezon City Saturday. Coming from different parts of Metro Manila, the deaf, mute, people with crutches, those on wheelchairs, and those stricken with multiple disabilities woke up early Saturday morning to join the marathon relay that began at 4:30 a.m. at the stadium’s oval. "I could see the joy in the eyes of PWDs (persons with disability) participating in this year's observance of the IDPD," said Oscar Arceo, officer-in-charge of Samahan ng may Kapansanan sa Mandaluyong. Observed every 3rd of December (December 4 in Manila), the IDPD has been promoted by the United Nations since 1992. It has been celebrated with varying degrees of success around the planet.

Persons with disability prepare for a race around the Amoranto Stadium Oval during the observance of the International Day of PWD on Saturday. Arthur Herrera

Dubbed Takbo Mo Pag-sa Ko, Saturday’s PWD marathon in Quezon City was organized by groups supporting the cause of "differently abled persons" to be integrated in society as normal people. One of the participants in the activity told GMANews.TV that people like them don't like to be called disabled because despite their limitations, they still can do a lot of things for society's development. "Ayaw naming tawaging disabled. Kahit may kapansanan kami, kaya naming gumawa ng maraming mga bagay na maaaring pikikinabangan ng lipunan. Hindi dapat tingnan na kami ay mga dependent na palagi nalang hihingi ng tulong at awa... kaya naming kumilos at gumawa. Ayaw naming maging object of charity," said one of the participants who refused to be identified. Present during the event were heads of companies that sponsored this year's observance of the IDPD. Among the sponsors were the Ilaw ng may Kapansanan Foundation, Inc, represented by its chairman Art Herrera; and Tigers.Net International, represented by its president Ernest Castillo. A representative of the Takbo Mo Pag-sa Ko main sponsor, WINALITE Corp., was also present. The group led by Castillo and Herrera said they will aim for the Guinness Book of World Records for Philippine PWDs in the 2011 IDPD. They did not elaborate on their plan for the Guinness. — Fernando de la Cruz/LBG, GMANews.TV