Dear friends and family,

Thank you for visiting my fundraising site.  With my wife, Minnie, kids, Eizsa and Raim supporting me, I will be running the full marathon for the first time in my life on July 29, 2007 in San Francisco.  I’m already registered and will wear bib number 3833.  I am doing this to raise awareness and money for my favorite charity organization, Books for the Barrios (BftB) based here in the Bay Area.  Due to dwindling financial support in the wake of many natural disasters (Katrina, tsunami, etc.), BftB may be forced to close its operations this summer if it does not generate enough funds.  Yes, this is after more than 25 years of providing quality education materials to remote schools in the Philippines, after empowering Filipino public school teachers through trainings and conventions, after establishing more than 55 Model of Excellence schools whose standards are at par with well-known private schools in the country, BftB will be forced to close.

Like I mentioned, this will be my first full marathon.  I’m not sure if I can make it but I’ll surely give it my best try.  I believe I have far greater chances of finishing the race than for the many children of receiving quality education if BftB ends its “project of the heart”.  But together with your help, we can save BftB to continue on its noble mission!