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Frequently Asked Questions about Takbong Pangarap
What is Takbong Pangarap?
Takbong Pangarap/Trans-USA Run 2009 is the project title of the 5,000 kilometer cross-country run across the United States of America to be attempted by Joy Rojas. Joy is the first Filipina to have run across the Philippines . Once she finishes the course starting from California and ending in New York, she will become the first Southeast Asian woman to have crossed the U.S.
Who are on the Takbong Pangarap team?
Joy Rojas will be accompanied on Takbong Pangarap by her trainer and running partner Mateo Macabe as well as team manager Chuck Crisanto. Mat was supposed to run with Joy until he had to have open heart surgery in 2008. Now that he can no longer run the distance upon his doctors' advice, he will act as Joy's pacer and navigator. Aside from taking turns with Chuck in driving the Takbong Pangarap support vehicle, Mat will run and bike alongside Joy for some parts of the route.
When will Takbong Pangarap happen? How long will it take?
Joy and her team will leave their starting point in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, California on May 10, 2009, which is the eve of Joy's 44th birthday. They expect to be in New York City by September 8, 2009. All in all, Joy will be running for approximately 100 days and take 20 days of rest along the way. She will try to do this by running 50 kilometers daily.
What is the Takbong Pangarap route?
The Takbong Pangarap route will start in Eagle Rock, California and continue through Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. Its finish line will be at the Philippine Consulate on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Keep checking ThePOC.net for a more detailed description and maps of the Takbong Pangarap route.
This route was based on the paths taken by others who have accomplished the trans-USA run. In preparation for Takbong Pangarap, Joy wrote three of these people, namely Marshall Ulrich, Daniel Popp and Steve Bethune, to get their feedback and recommendations for the route.
Why Takbong Pangarap?
When Joy finished Hakbang Pangarap—her Trans-Philippines run in 2005 during which she covered 2,000 km from Davao City to Pagudpud in 46 days—she felt that just because she had accomplished one of her dreams didn't mean she couldn't start with others. She asked herself, if she had to do it all over again and experience the same magnitude of a run, where would she go? She thought of running across the United States because the route has been run hundreds of times before, and because there are Filipino-American communities along the way from which she could draw support.
Aside from living her dream, Joy wishes to help others' dreams come true by running to raise funds for two beneficiaries: the Social Services Division of the Philippine Heart Center and the Anti-TB Program of the Inner Wheel Club of Quezon City District 378.
Who is funding Takbong Pangarap?
To date, the Takbong Pangarap team has relied on donations, volunteer assistance and a few corporate sponsorships. The team is also hoping that Filipinos from all over the world will extend their help to Takbong Pangarap whether by donating to the project or spreading the word about the run.
How can I help Takbong Pangarap?
You can help make Takbong Pangarap a reality by sending donations of any amount through PayPal and/or Western Union. You can also be a Takbong Pangarap 5K sponsor—all you have to do is donate P5000 (approximately $100). In turn, Joy will run for at least 5 kilometers wearing a runner's bib with your dream or your message written on it. You will also get a collectible autographed Takbong Pangarap shirt and a citation in the forthcoming book that records the historic run. Keep checking ThePOC.net for more details on how to donate.
If you are living in the United States along the Takbong Pangarap route and are interested in helping Joy, Mat and Chuck achieve their goal, you can also do so by offering to host them while they pass through your area.
Otherwise, just help spread the word about Takbong Pangarap and pass on the message: there's no limit to the Filipino spirit!
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Joy Rojas is the first Filipina to have run across the Philippines. A freelance writer and magazine editor who overcame tuberculosis in 2001, she will become the first Southeast Asian woman to have run across the United States once she completes Takbong Pangarap.
Mateo Macabe is a noted athlete in the local running circuit and Joy's trainer and running partner, having run across the Philippines with her in 2005. He will be her pacer and navigator during Takbong Pangarap.
Chuck Crisanto is the team manager of Takbong Pangarap. A long distance event record holder for the Ateneo, he has served in various professional capacities under four Philippine presidents.
