SunPIOLOgy, the annual charity fun run of Sun Life Philippines and brand ambassador Piolo Pascual, concluded its 12th year with two milestones: successfully transitioning into a virtual race and raising PhP 4.2 Million for its health and education advocacies.

Close to 1,000 runners joined the virtual race, all of whom finished the distance they signed up for at their own time and pace. Participants say SunPIOLOgy helped them stay fit even if they could not do their usual fitness activities given the quarantine measures.

Participants found fulfillment in the experience and encouraged others to try running as well.  “I advise everyone, especially the youth, to go out and run,” says Crispin Banares, 1st Placer for the 30Km category. This was seconded by Aurie Roque, 1st Placer for the 100Km category. “Set aside your fears and explore your strength,” she said.

The event concluded last February 12, 2021 with a virtual awarding ceremony, which was graced by Piolo himself, along with fellow Sun Life brand ambassadors Enchong Dee and Inigo Pascual. Guest celebrities Klarisse de Guzman, Vivoree, and the Nocturnal Dancers rendered special performances.

Participants were also treated with rewards through the raffle prizes like, a brand-new TV, and 15 Garmin Vivofits. On top of these, special prizes were given to the top three male and top three female runners who finished by December 25.

Championing Health and Education

SunPIOLOgy was able to raise PhP 1 Million for scholars of Hebreo Foundation, which was founded by Piolo’s family. The Hebreo Foundation has been supporting the education of young Filipinos since 2009. Meanwhile, PhP 228,000.00 was donated to Star Magic scholars, or children of ABS-CBN employees who were affected by the network’s closure.

For its health advocacy, more than PhP 3 Million was granted to  the Institute for Studies on Diabetes Foundation, Inc. (ISDFI), to enable it to continue providing critical care and improve its facilities such as the Sun Life – ISDFI  Nutrition Studio and the ISDFI – Sun Life GoWell Fitness Center.

“The positive impact that SunPIOLOgy brings to communities and individuals truly encourages us to continue advocating our causes,” says Gilbert Simpao, Sun Life’s Chief Marketing & Client Experience Officer. “Our foray into the virtual realm is just a glimpse of things to come as we reach out even further with our commitment to be the nation’s lifetime partner.”

“We launched SunPIOLOgy 12 years ago with the objective of inspiring Filipinos to pursue their health and wellness goals as well as to support our partner charitable institutions. When the pandemic happened, we had to quickly shift into a virtual race. It was an unfamiliar territory for us, but we rested our fate on the community we have built through the years, and on the significance of our advocacies especially amid this prevailing pandemic,” says Benedict Sison, CEO and Country Head of Sun Life Philippines. “With everyone’s help, the first ever SunPIOLOgy Virtual Race turned out to be a success.”

“I’m really thankful for the support for our event despite the current situation,” says Piolo. “This success is proof that together, we can make things happen and we can help make lives brighter.”

The SunPIOLOgy Virtual Race ran from November 21, 2020 to January 21, 2021 and was made possible through the generosity of the following sponsors: Toby’s and Runnr, as the official registration partners; Garmin, as the official timer; Crystal Clear, as the hydration partner; Pocari Sweat, as the isotonic drink Partner; Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, Business World, Business Mirror, Cinema One, and Outcomm, as the official media partners; and Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc., Sun Life Asset Management Company, Inc., Gardenia, Saucony, Cherifer, Brooks, Dr. Kong, Hydro Flask, Novuhair, Hearty Bread, Rudy Project, Locally, Tupperware, Glorious Blend, and Hi-Precision Diagnostics, as event partners. Special thanks go to SunPIOLOgy’s supporters like Philnoni, Nurture Wellness Village, My Daily Collagen, Green Stevia, TrueTea, AlcoPlus, DeoPlus, Mentopas, GU, Fitletic, Drymax, and Havva Brew.

For updates about future SunPIOLOgy events, follow @sunpiology at Facebook or check out www.sunpiology.com.