Balik sigla, Visayas: I am free to dream

MANILA, Philippines – Palo is rising from the rubble. Vitality is returning to the town that was among hardest hit of super typhoon Yolanda in November 2013. 

On May 3, 2014, the municipal government of Palo with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) will hold another Freedom Run as a symbol for the region getting back on its feet.

“‘I am free to dream’ as a slogan for the event is very apt for us. We have bigger dreams now, not only for our individual selves but for our entire community that inspire us to work harder,” Palo Vice Mayor Bulingling Reposar said.

“The Freedom Run is a way to show that our people are resilient, and that through everyone’s efforts and with all the support that we received, we are restoring life to normalcy,” he added.

Over 1000 runners are expected to participate in the activity. 

Tree planting and distribution of school materials will take place after the run. The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), an umbrella organization of liberal political parties in Asia, will also build shelters and donate supplies in towns near Tacloban and Palo. 

FNF had previously organized a Freedom Run in Palo on 28 April 2013. “One of the most difficult things to rebuild after a disaster is people’s confidence to start over. We are proud that Palo is exerting efforts to address this, too. T

he Freedom Run reinforces the message that things can go back to normal if we continue to dream and take up our own responsibility to achieve that dream,” said FNF Country Director Jules Maaten. – Rappler.com