The Philippine Online Chronicles

Sheer strength of will and a spirit for adventure will indeed get ultrarunner Joy Rojas far as she embarks on Takbong Pangarap, her endeavor to run 5,000 kilometers in 120 days across the United States while carrying her dreams—and perhaps yours. 

But if Joy and her Takbong Pangarap teammates—trainer Mateo Macabe and manger Chuck Crisanto—are to get from their starting point in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles to the finish line in New York City by September 2009, they are going to need a bit more than well-wishes and prayers.

Traveling through 12 states in four months, managing 50 km a day on foot, Joy, Mat and Chuck will virtually be in a new place every single day. This entails physical energy, enthusiasm on the road—and a good amount of extra cash to cover for everyday expenses ranging from gasoline to food to lodgings.

In this regard, you can help make Takbong Pangarap a reality. Help Joy, Mat and Chuck reach their destination by sending donations of any amount through PayPal and/or Western Union. Chip in by just clicking on the Takbong Pangarap donation widget found on the sidebar of the POC's Takbong Pangarap channel.

In crossing an entire country, Joy doesn't just have to carry her own dream; she can also bear yours.

All you have to do is be a Takbong Pangarap 5K sponsor—donate P5000 (approximately $100) to the project, and 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.

All surplus funds from the Takbong Pangarap project will benefit the Social Services Division of the Philippine Heart Center and the Anti-TB Program of the Inner Wheel Club of Quezon City District 378.

Moreover, 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. The team will be passing through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. Keep checking the POC.net for a more detailed description of the route.

Otherwise, just help spread awareness about Takbong Pangarap. Tell all you know about the project, or embed the Takbong Pangarap button found on the POC.net in your own website. It doesn't matter as long as you pass on the message: there's no limit to the Filipino spirit!