In a society where hustle culture frequently takes priority over personal well-being, the rise of running as a trend has gained momentum, inspiring many to join as a means of balancing their fast-paced lives with fitness.

On Sunday, 16 February, financial institution Home Credit hosted its first ever marathon event with 2,453 participants. 

“Takbo #ParaSaLife,” held at Parqal, Aseana in Parañaque City, took a step in ensuring that people are not only financially secure but also physically healthy.

The company’s latest initiative aims to promote overall well-being among employees, customers, and partners, according to Marketing Head Shiela Paul.

“We want to make sure that our people or customers are healthy in all aspects of their lives,” Paul said. 

She emphasized the connection of physical fitness to mental and emotional well-being, noting that these also influence financial decision-making. 

“For you to be able to plan your life well and to be a responsible person for your family as well as yourself, it also involves being healthy, being fit,” she said.

Wellness is deeply embedded in the company’s corporate culture, with over 16,000 employees nationwide participating in various clubs, including running, badminton, basketball, and even music, according to Paul.

Building on this mindset, the company expanded its installment offerings to include fitness equipment and gym memberships — a shift from its pre-pandemic focus on gadgets like phones, laptops, and tablets.

“[It's for] people who are looking for gym equipment or shoes because shoes are expensive. This year, we actually started gym memberships as well. So, we said that it's not just for office or home use, but also for sports,” she said. 

However, a visit to the website revealed that the dedicated page was still under development, displaying the message, “We are still working on this page.”

Paul described the marathon as an opportunity to engage with the community beyond business. Beyond its health benefits, the initiative aimed to bring together people with similar interests while reinforcing the importance of financial stability.

She added that Home Credit plans to introduce more programs that blend financial literacy with wellness.

“For sure, we want to do the run at least annually. For other sporting events, watch out. Actually, we are going to be supporting another sport soon,” she said.