GET fit along with the city government of Manila as it launches on Sunday, May 26, an initiative called “Move Manila Car-Free Sundays” along Roxas Boulevard to motivate its residents to aim for an active lifestyle.
This physical fitness program, aside from its move “to make Roxas Boulevard partly car-free,” aims to promote and motivate healthy lifestyles among its residents and interested people as they join the activities laid out by the organizers.
The “car-free Sundays” or city Ordinance No. 9047 will make portions of the northbound and southbound lanes of one of Manila’s major thoroughfares from Padre Burgos Avenue, near Rizal Park, to Quirino Avenue close to all vehicles from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. for the activities that will run every Sunday until June 30.
The ordinance was signed on May 13 by the mayor and the co-authors.
Here are some of the activities that attendees could enjoy following the road closure:
Anyone who wishes to join may walk, jog, run, ride bicycles as well as skateboard, roller skate and conduct Zumba marathons wherein a competition will be held and participated by the Parent-Teachers Associations (Manila SPTAs) of the city’s schools.
The launch of the program, held amid the onslaught of Tropical Storm Aghon over Metro Manila, was spearheaded by Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan together with Vice Mayor John Marvin Nieto and District 6 Councilor Salvador Philip Lacuna, co-authors of the ordinance.
Photo Courtesy: Dr. Honey Lacuna/Facebook
Attendees led by the city’s officials danced to the upbeat music of a zumba performance led by couple and celebrity coaches Jim and Toni Saret. It was followed by a run, where participants were free to jog, run or go on full sprint—whichever they felt the most comfortable with.
The activities proved to be successful as the participants were drenched in sweat while donning their fitness outfits, jackets, caps and dry-fit shirts.
An estimated 3,000 people joined Sunday’s event that ended at around 7:40 a.m., according to the Manila Police District.
Mayor Lacuna said that the initiative hopes to encourage people to shed off some of the excess weight they gained during the pandemic while they appreciate the significance of Roxas Boulevard from Luneta to Quirino Avenue.
While the ordinance is nothing new, the mayor said that it stood out among others as the program has been a significant part of the history, culture, politics, and economy of the city and the country.
“People will experience a different perspective of Roxas Boulevard. They will have more time to appreciate its beauty and significance while walking, jogging, running, and biking, instead of the sights going by like a blur while riding any vehicle,” Lacuna said.
“The walkers, joggers, runners, and bikers will get to see for themselves the results of the road reblocking and improvements underway on Roxas Boulevard. Waste management and public safety measures will be done to ensure the success of our pro-environment, healthy lifestyle activity,” she added.
Surrounding buildings, businesses, residents and offices have been notified by the assigned city hall departments, as per the mayor’s order, so they can make necessary adjustments to their Sundays and participate in the morning exercises.
If you missed it the first time, don’t worry. The “Move Manila Car-Free Sundays” is held every Sunday until the end of June.
With reports from Jacqueline Beatrice M. Dejesa
