Unique fun run to relive Martial law period

This is an announcement from the UP SAMASA Alumni Association 

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Have you ever wondered what it was like to live in that dark period of our nation’s history when the free press was shut down, the voice of the people was suppressed, and thousands of Filipinos were abducted, tortured and summarily executed?

The University of the Philippines is again living up to its reputation as the bastion of youth social consciousness, this time through a fun run that will give runners a taste of what it was like during the years of Martial Law.

Dubbed “The Great LEAN Run (TGLR),” the activity will feature obstacles reminiscent of dictatorial rule, such as barbed wire, water cannons, anti-riot police, arbitrary arrests and much more.  Runners will aim to survive the challenges of the course for a chance to win prizes, not to mention unique bragging rights.

TGLR honors the life of Lean Alejandro, student leader of the 1980s who led the movement that helped a national people’s action to depose then President Ferdinand Marcos.

Lawyer Susan Villanueva, chairman of the UP SAMASA Alumni Association, said, “The overthrow of the dictator and our subsequent return to democracy is a major victory of the Filipino people. The youth of today should be made aware of the real situation at the time so that they can learn from it and be guided by its lessons as they become the new leaders of the nation.”

Organizers of the Great LEAN Run are staging the event aware of the changing times. 

“How do you teach the lessons of Marital Law to a generation that never experienced it? They say, the generation now has a very short attention span because they have a real life and a virtual life. If you are going to teach them about Martial Law, the best thing to do is to give an experiential approach to it,” Villanueva said.

The Great LEAN Run, which will be held on September 19, Saturday, 5 pm at the UP Sunken garden and Academic Oval in Diliman, challenges participants to step into the shoes of the activist icon and follow his footsteps.

Proceeds of the fun run will go to the UP fund for the Liwasang Lean Alejandro.

Registration is ongoing online at the Great LEAN Run Facebook page and Chris Sports branches at SM Megamall, SM City North, Glorietta 3 and Metro Market Market BGC. – Rappler.com 

For details, interested participants may contact Irish Vayne  Alacar at  0906270646 and vayne.alacar@withoulimits.ph.