Torres, who represented the Philippines in fencing during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, said the event set 26 July inside the vast University of the Philippines-Diliman (UP-Diliman) campus caters to persons with disabilities and their respective families and friends.
“It will be a very festive atmosphere and a happy Sunday. Through this event we hope that respect between people with disabilities and those with none will be developed,” Torres added.
The event was first staged in 2024 with 800 participants at UP Diliman, then followed last year in Surigao with a field of 3,000. For this year, organizers are expecting 5,000 entries with 2,000 having registered so far.
“We also invite all cancer survivors and even those with learning disabilities. They are all welcome to join. You also have a place in sports. You have a reason to be active,” added Torres at the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.
Para coach Joar Cavadores and wheelchair basketball and breast cancer survivor Gem Tayag also graced the forum along with Febe Sevilla, a sign language interpreter.
Cavadores said events are set at 1K, 3K, 5K and 10K.