A total of 2,474 runners trooped to the newly opened Parqal Mall at Aseana City in Parañaque early last Sunday morning to run at the Takbo Para sa Life event of Home Credit Philippines.

It was a lot of firsts.

Runners who have grown tired of the usual race venues in the area enjoyed the flat race route that slithered through the environs of Okada and Solaire. The air was definitely cleaner and fresher and there were much fewer vehicles.

It was also the first time our team, WeKenRun, had organized a race.

From being race participants to going behind the scenes to mount a race was quite an experience for Coach Ken Mendola and our team members. From the planning stage to execution, the pressure to come up with a well-organized race that would provide the best possible experience for runners was daunting.

Takbo Para Sa Life also marked the very first foray of Home Credit into organizing fun runs. Home Credit Philippines is the leading consumer finance company in the Philippines. Backed by Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited, the fifth largest bank in Thailand and by MUFG Bank Ltd., the largest banking group in Japan, and trusted by a strong and diverse set of banks locally and worldwide, the company plays a pivotal role in driving financial inclusion for Filipinos by expanding access to credit opportunities and transforming the consumer finance landscape in the Philippines.

“According to the World Health Organization, about 38 percent of Filipinos are physically inactive, putting them at risk for lifestyle-related diseases. As the Filipinos’ trusted ally, not just in financial inclusion but in overall well-being, Home Credit is committed to encouraging communities to embrace a healthier lifestyle,” Petr Lukosz, HCPH Chief CRM Officer and two-time Ironman Philippines Champion, said.

“Seeing people of all ages and backgrounds come together for this run is truly inspiring. At Home Credit, we believe that wellness is an essential part of living a fulfilling life. Takbo Para sa Life is more than just a race — it’s a movement that we hope will continue beyond today. We look forward to making this an annual tradition to encourage more people to prioritize their health,” he added.

Considering the success of Takbo Para sa Life, Home Credit is already gearing up for an even bigger event next year.

And this is what we want to see from more of our local companies. The private sector is a vital cog in what should be a national project to bring Filipinos back to good health.

While there may not be an obvious benefit to a company’s bottom line if it allots time and resources to health and wellness events and programs, businesses will thrive even more if the people are healthy and, concomitantly, productive.

Investing in health and wellness is also a good talent retention strategy for companies. An organization that fosters and inspires an active lifestyle will have more engaged employees and customers.

A fun run is a good start but companies can also sponsor training programs for different sports. There are many coaches and run clubs that provide running clinics. Companies can also adopt and support indigent athletes.

Indeed, there are a hundred and one ways for private organizations to contribute to the health and wellbeing of not just their employees or their customers or clients, but even the general public.