Geline Salac

Torre leads anti-bullying fun run, bike ride drawing nearly 1,000 participants

Article (news)

Eon Sanchez

ABS-CBN News

<p>PASIG CITY — Around 940 runners and cyclists gathered early Saturday for the “Takbo at Padyak Laban sa mga Bully,” a fun run and bike ride organized by The People’s General Foundation, highlighting calls to address bullying in communities.</p><p>Of the total participants, 712 were runners while 228 joined the bike ride.</p><p>The activity was led by Nicolas Torre III, general manager of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, alongside around 300 MMDA personnel who also took part in the event.</p><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F2366048753905914%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><p>Participants came from as far as Occidental Mindoro, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Metro Manila.</p><p>In his opening remarks, Torre stressed that the gathering goes beyond a typical fitness event.</p><p>“Hindi lang ito simpleng fun run. Hindi lang ito simpleng bike ride. Ito ay isang pahayag o simula,” he said.</p><p>He underscored the message of solidarity for victims of bullying.</p><p>“Isang malinaw na mensahe na gusto nating iparating sa bawat isa… Hindi ka nag-iisa,” Torre added.</p><p>“Tahimik lang sila dahil nahihiya, dahil natatakot, dahil pakiramdam nila wala silang kakampi at ‘yan ang gusto nating baguhin ngayon.”</p><p>Torre also emphasized the serious impact of bullying.</p><p>“Ang bullying ay hindi lang simpleng biro… Bullying destroys lives, confidence, minds, at ang mismong pagkatao,” he said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/16/aquino-calls-for-urgent-reporting-of-school-bullying-cases-1433">Aquino calls for urgent reporting of school bullying cases</a></div><p>The MMDA chief shared that his personal experiences with bullying fueled the initiative.</p><p>“You know, all my life, I’ve been bullied… Pero it should not define us,” he said.</p><p>According to Torre, the campaign also aims to surface the root causes of bullying.</p><p>“We have the highest incidents of bullying in the world. Kaya talagang dapat i-surface natin ang problema… at magbigay tayo ng posibleng solusyon,” he said.</p><p>Participants were also treated to various incentives, including free bread, a photo booth, and 500 raffle prizes such as three bicycles, gas masks for bike commuters, one-year insurance coverage from the Philippine Red Cross, furniture, and hotel accommodations.</p><p>Among those who joined was MMDA street sweeper Rowena Serrano, who said she participated for her family.</p><p>“Kaya po kami nakiisa kasi sa amin po may mga anak,” she said.</p><p>Torre added that the MMDA is also looking to expand its hotline services to include emotional support.</p><p>“Lalagyan natin ng dial 3 kung gusto mo lang ng kausap… para sa ating mga kababayan na nangangailangan lang ng kausap, human connection,” he said.</p><p>Organizers said preparations for the event took about one and a half months, with hopes of sustaining similar activities to further raise awareness against bullying.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2026/5/14/dict-mmda-launch-free-wi-fi-on-pasig-river-ferry-1811">DICT, MMDA launch free Wi-Fi on Pasig River ferry</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0dDQmw2RsCo?si=ah5zIeOq_4oxhV40" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Around 940 runners and cyclists gathered early Saturday for the “Takbo at Padyak Laban sa mga Bully,” a fun run and bike ride organized by The People’s General Foundation, highlighting calls to address bullying in communities.</p>

Around 940 runners and cyclists gathered early Saturday for the “Takbo at Padyak Laban sa mga Bully,” a fun run and bike ride organized by The People’s General Foundation, highlighting calls to address bullying in communities.