Last Sunday, August 30, GMA-7 initiated a unique advocacy run in support of clean and honest elections. Starting off from the NBC Tent at Bonifacio Global City, over 5,000 runners ran the 5 km and 10 km  race around the grounds.

GMA7 Network Chairman, President, and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon explained what makes this run-for-a-cause different: "As I have said before, it shows that many Filipinos are really interested in putting many things right for the coming elections. We have always believed in what we are saying so we thought that we should bring all the potential candidates together, so that people will see that they are also cooperating."

And cooperate they did. Eleksyon 2010 na, Tatakbo Ka Ba?-Hamon Para sa Kaayusan ng Pilipinas was attended by 13 presidential and vice presidential candidates, along with celebrities, hosts, and reporters.

WBA Super Flyweight champ Nonito Donaire Jr., who arrived with his wife Rachel, took part in the opening prayer of the run and firing of the ceremonial gun. Wearing all white and a fedora, he and his dog  walked the 100-meter ceremonial stretch.

Leading the unity walk were the network officials—Atty. Gozon with EVP and chief operating officer Jimmy R. Duavit, senior vice president (SVP) for  sales Joel Jimenez, SVP for entertainment TV Wilma V. Galvante, GMA Films president Annette Gozon Abrogar, SVP for corporate services group Felipe Yalong, SVP for news and public affairs  Marissa Flores, vice president for entertainment TV Marivin T. Arayata, president for GMA Radio Mike Enriquez, Kapuso Foundation president Mel Tiangco,  VP for news programs Jessica Soho, and news pillars Vicky Morales and Arnold Clavio.

THE RUNNERS. While waiting for the Tatakbo Ka Ba participants to return to the starting point, bystanders and supporters expressed their thoughts on the ten signature freedom walls placed around the grounds. There was also a program, where TV personalities were heard issuing remarks about the event.

Survivor host Paolo Bediones served as the primary emcee of the entire event—coming from the main stage, he made a stop in the VIP tent before heading outside again to cover the unity walk. Gloc9 was invited to perform on the main stage during the actual race. He sang Sumayaw Ba, an upbeat song which kept the energy level of the audience high.

Arnold Clavio hosted the segment which tackled how the automated election process will be implemented. He said, "It's going to be an exciting election—mabilis, and [there's] a chance for the silent majority to be directly involved."

He expressed gladness "dahil sa ganda ng support" and that people were being made "socially aware of what's gonna happen."

Suzi Entrata-Abrera, who handled a portion of the program, commented on the massive turnout, and one of the perks of making it to the run: "They get so many plusses being here: they get to see a lot of celebrities, and they get to see a lot of the presidential hopefuls. What makes this different is the contract-signing of sorts and the unity walk, so no campaigning, and an opportunity for them to show the people that they are supporting clean and honest elections."

Kara David, veteran News & Public Affairs reporter, was on her third 10 km run that day. She wrote on the freedom wall, "Magmalasakit" because she felt that "marami kasing mga Pilipino ang cynical na at apathetic, and I think that's what killing the country, when people lose hope, when people don't care anymore. So magmalasakit, maging compassionate tayo sa ating mga kababayan. Yan ang susi. Huwag natin i-asa lahat sa ating gobyerno. The government is in us and our country is in us."

Asia's Songbird Regine Velasquez, who sang Isang Lahi for the program, was very pleased with the outcome of the event. "Singing this song now after so many years gave it a different meaning," she remarked. For her number, she wore platform pumps and an elegant cocktail dress. She didn't get to stay long though because she had to make her way to SOP, where she's one of the main hosts.

Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes, wearing the event's custom-made white  T-shirts, were spotted walking side by side. During the program, they were tasked to award the prizes and special awards to some of the winning racers.

Respected actor and director Ricky Davao, looking all pumped up right after the race, shared: "I feel great joining this race for my health, a lot of people's health, and the health of our country. I hope and pray that this will have a domino effect." To the candidates he had this to say: "Be truthful and do your job."

Other prominent people who made time for the event were Sen. Pia Cayetano, Kuh Ledesma, Annabelle Rama, Richard Gutierrez, Marvin Agustin, Alfred Vargas, Rhian Ramos, Maxene Magalona, Nadine Samonte, Katrina Halili, Luis Alandy, Ehra Madrigal, Sheena Halili, Roxanne Barcelo, Regine Tolentino, Chris Tiu, Paolo Abrera, Mariz Umali, JC Tiuseco, Kiko Rustia, siblings Bubbles and Paolo Paraiso, and Ella Guevarra.