Greatness Unleashed at the 2025 Wellness Run: A Journey Beyond Fitness

At the heart of this year’s Southstar Drug and Maxicare Run for Wellness 2025 was a powerful reminder: wellness is not just a goal—it’s a lifestyle. As runners from all walks of life gathered at UP Diliman, the energy was electric, and the purpose was clear. With every stride, participants weren't just chasing finish lines; they were embracing healthier habits, stronger communities, and a renewed sense of purpose. 

Southstar Drug and Maxicare Healthcare Corporation’s Run For Wellness officially kicked off last June 22 at the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City, where participants unleashed greatness and filled the university grounds with buzzing energy as they celebrated each other's journey to wellness and healthier lifestyles.

The yearly anticipated running event’s first leg finished strong and drew over 9,000 participants, making it the biggest number of runner turnout both for a Run For Wellness leg and for a run held in UP Diliman. From first-timers to seasoned enthusiasts, everyone found their stride across the 3 km, 5 km, and 10 km categories and enjoyed a fun and relaxing run in the stretch of the known running hub’s rich greenery, rain or shine.

 

"For us, 'Unleashing Greatness' isn't just a theme," stated Thaddeus Sanchez, General Manager of Southstar Drug. "We believe everyone has the potential for a healthier and more active life, so we designed Run For Wellness to be that inclusive, impactful spark to help Filipinos discover and achieve their personal best in wellness."

To continue their advocacy on healthcare and wellness, Southstar Drug and Maxicare Healthcare Corporation donated Php 1,000,000 worth of equipment to UP Diliman’s Health Service and Security Departments, under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs. This was received by UP Diliman Vice Chancellor Jerwin Agpaoa, UP President Angelo Jimenez, and UP Diliman Health Service Director Olivia Basuel.

Meanwhile, one of the thousand participants who embraced the challenge is mom and content creator Marga Banaga, who joined the 5 km category. “This is my first official run, and I did it in 38 minutes. It was such a rewarding feeling because eleven months ago, I was 60 pounds heavier and I would not be able to do something like this,” she said. “The energy today, the crowd, and the community gave me the push. It was fulfilling completing the run and seeing how far I've come with my wellness journey.”

 

Among the attendees are experienced runners and athletes as well as influencers and celebrities known for their health advocacies, such as Gabbi Garcia, Sam YG, Jo Sebastian, Pat Rubin, Enjay Aba, Kath Figuracion, and more.

“When it comes to wellness, I don’t pressure myself or treat it as a race. It’s more of a commitment to staying healthy. You view it as a change of lifestyle,” said Gabbi, who led the warm-ups for the 5 km race. “Thank you so much to Southstar Drug and Maxicare for these kinds of events where everyone can be one in wellness.”

 

Southstar Drug and Maxicare’s partner brands also joined the fun by setting up sampling booths at the Run For Wellness Race Village, where freebies and treats were offered to the finishers and participants. 

 

"This event is a powerful reminder that taking charge of your health can be an enjoyable and communal journey," said Raymond Hernandez, Chief Customer Officer of Maxicare Healthcare Corporation. 

 

Champions for wellness 

The top three male and female participants who finished their respective categories with the fastest times were awarded medals and a cash prize. For Mea Gey Niñura, clinching the first place in the women’s 10 km category is an unexpected feat given that a lot of elite runners also joined this year’s Run For Wellness.

 

“I just ran my best,” said the former member of the UP Women’s Track and Field Team-turned personal trainer. She advised beginners and aspiring runners to just continue what they’re doing and stay motivated to achieve their fitness goals.

 

James Darrel Orduña, now a 2-time first placer in the Run For Wellness men’s 5 km category, is nothing but elated to get another podium finish. He trains for various competitions every day, and according to him, the fulfillment that comes with winning is one of his motivations to work harder. 

 

“Consistency is really the key. I believe that if you love what you do, you can reach your goals as well,” he added. 

 

Run For Wellness continues to be a great starting point for anyone looking to live healthier and more actively. With Southstar Drug and Maxicare at the forefront, the event built a community where people from all walks of life felt inspired to take charge of their well-being and find the confidence to unleash greatness on their own journey.

 

Catch the next leg of Run For Wellness in Naga City, happening in September 2025. More information about the start of registration will be up soon on Southstar Drug’s social media pages, so stay tuned!

Progress with Purpose: How to Unleash Greatness in Your Wellness Path

 

In a time where a new trend pops up virtually every other day, there’s one that we all love to see: people embracing a healthier and more active lifestyle. This is evident in the rise of content that focuses on improving oneself both physically and mentally, from Strava posts tracking personal records to eating balanced meals, sleeping well, and managing stress.

Feeling inspired to be part of the growing wellness movement? Or are you one of those who want to get back on track? Whichever it is, Southstar Drug and Maxicare are your partners in fully realizing your best self yet through Run for Wellness 2025. The annual running event encourages participants to take simple but meaningful steps toward a healthier and more balanced life. And for its 14th edition, it aims to celebrate the progress and process that goes into unleashing one’s inner greatness even beyond the finish line.

It starts with choosing to eat healthy. Food is the fuel that you need to do the things you love, so eat what’s good for you. Meal planning and opting for home-cooked meals are great ways to better track your food intake and cut down the junk. Next, maintain a healthy sleep hygiene to ensure that you’re getting at least seven hours of good sleep that your body needs to function at its optimal state.

A healthy well-being is also rooted in the mind. Engaging in calm activities, connecting with your inner self, and organizing your environment can relieve unnecessary worries and free space for clearer thoughts. Doing these will ease your mental state and reduce stress that could reflect in the body.

Lastly, as the new found appreciation for exercising is motivating people to be more active, make sure to start off slowly before gradually increasing the intensity of your chosen activity as you gain more strength and endurance. Don’t forget to warm up and cool down accordingly, and to always stay hydrated!

Drastic changes don’t come overnight, but choosing to commit to small yet consistent actions will help you build a strong foundation for an improved well-being.

“This year’s theme of Unleashing Greatness is really about giving Filipinos the avenue to start or restart their wellness journey. This also reflects our shared goal of promoting wellness through programs that are inclusive, impactful, and community-driven,” said Thaddeus Sanchez, General Manager of Southstar Drug.

“Together with Southstar Drug, we want to empower participants to embrace healthy habits and become the best version of themselves,” said Raymond Hernandez, Chief Customer Officer of Maxicare.

Run for Wellness 2025 will take place on June 22 at UP Diliman in Quezon City, and on September 21 at Naga City. The race welcomes beginners or seasoned runners alike, perfect to invite families and friends looking to be in a community that celebrates fitness wins.

#KasamaSaBestLife Pro Tip is to take care of yourself

Self-care has become a popular topic these days, both online and offline. Grind culture may be a thing, but more people realize that taking a break, healing, and ensuring you're okay are important in achieving your goals and being the best you can be.

 

People usually think of self-care as something luxurious and fancy. But it's just about doing things that make you feel good and healthy daily. This could be anything from working out to taking a nap or relaxing. Self-care includes all aspects of your health- physical, mental, and emotional.

 

Taking care of yourself is important; Southstar Drug and Maxicare know it well. They're health and wellness champions and want you to have a self-care plan. This way, you can learn what your body wants and needs, what it's good at, and what it's not. Having a plan means being proactive in caring for yourself and staying on top of your health.

According to life coach and clinical inner-child therapist Saps Uttam, prioritizing your health is the ultimate form of self-love and self-respect. “Your health should be your top priority. It becomes easier to maintain healthy habits and stay motivated to continue a healthier lifestyle when you prioritize self-care,” she says.

 

Dr. Art C. Libao, Chief Medical Officer of Maxicare, also agrees that taking precautionary measures to prevent an illness is far better than treating it. “Regular exercise, a healthy diet, relaxation techniques, and regular check-ups are all superior to maintenance medications. Poorly managed blood pressure can lead to complications such as heart attacks, strokes, and other life-threatening conditions, but these risks can be reduced through healthy lifestyle choices,” he points out.

 

Building a self-care plan

Now that you understand the importance of self-care, it's time to start building your plan. Take a moment to reflect on your current habits and assess how they affect your overall health. Consider all aspects of your well-being and identify areas that need improvement. From there, commit to adding more healthy habits to your daily routine, such as eating more vegetables and relaxing activities to help manage stress.

 

As you embark on your self-care journey, you may face challenges that could disrupt your progress. These could include poor time management, limited resources, and unexpected life events. Ensure you're always prepared by listing potential scenarios and planning how to handle them. Consistency is key in maintaining your self-care plan, but remember to take it at your own pace, one day at a time.

 

“Love and have compassion for yourself. This journey starts with you because you matter and are worth it. Once you show up for yourself, being there for others will come naturally. There is nothing more meaningful in this world than helping others. Always remember that it all starts with you," Uttam emphasizes.

 

Southstar Drug and Maxicare have joined forces to hold the 12th edition of Run for Wellness to support consumers in their journey toward a healthier and happier life. This running event aims to promote physical health and mental well-being among Filipinos. The two legs of Run for Wellness, held in Quezon City and Naga City, have attracted over 7,000 participants, including seasoned runners, beginners, kids, families, and individuals from various backgrounds who have taken the first step towards living their best lives.

 

Dr. Libao says running can positively impact health by strengthening the heart, improving blood circulation, and helping create healthier habits.

 

“Regular exercise has been shown to lower the stress hormone, which may explain why people often feel better after playing tennis, golf, or brisk walking. It stimulates the release of endorphins, boosting positive feelings that can encourage individuals to continue exercising,” he says.

 

By offering extensive health essentials and world-class health services, Southstar Drug and Maxicare aim to be reliable companions, "Kasama sa Best Life," for Filipinos. Visit southstardrug.com.ph and maxicare.com.ph to know more. 

PILI partners with Southstar Drug in bringing the beauty benefits of the pili tree to a grander scale

It’s an innate Filipino trait to support our fellow men. Whether it’s our natural hospitality, our concept of bayanihan, or even the way we loudly cheer a part-Pinoy candidate on some international talent show. A shared geography—whether physical or social—gives us instinctive loyalty that binds us all together and unselfishly pushes us to help each other out when we need it.

Thus, when PILI, a natural beauty- and wellness-focused brand in the Philippines, decided it was time to introduce the beauty benefits of the pili tree to a grander scale, one of the first establishments to give them a boost is popular drugstore chain Southstar Drug. Both products of the Bicol (pili is a Bicolano signature), PILI and Southstar are jointly tapping into and propagating the region’s potential.

Pili grows from a tree that’s indigenous to the fifth region’s climate. The nut, which comes from the seed, may be its most popular byproduct, but the pili tree yields more significant benefits. A tree of life in its own right, oils extracted from parts of the pili have a variety of uses—which have be tapped by PILI, a natural beauty- and wellness-focused brand in the Philippines.

PILI takes this liquid resource to create a range of cosmetic and wellness products, anchored by a collection of today’s most popular elixir, essential oils.
Essentials oils, which are natural-occurring aromatic compounds found in plants, are used in day-to-day activities, particularly for health. PILI uses both the oil from the pulp of the fruit as well as the more potent elemi from the resin. Used by the world’s top luxury beauty companies (think Chanel, Dior, Gucci), both are scientifically proven to hydrate and moisturize the skin—on top of that, elemi is also anti-aging and anti-bacterial.

The pili-extracted oils are bolstered by the therapeutic promises of lavender, eucalyptus, citronella, citrus neem, wintergreen, juniper berry, cypress, ginger, menthol, and lemongrass—oils that are already rock stars in the world of aromatherapy.

Because wellness has neither a schedule nor a deadline, PILI’s essential oil blends are packaged to just fit your pocket or purse, ready to use for a quick pick-me-up. They’re already pre-mixed by certified chemists who studied the best permutation for every blend. It functions like a liniment—made to soothe, relieve stress, boost energy, and even prevent disease—but more sophisticated, fashionable, and fragrant.

The Rise and Shine, for example, amps up your energy levels thanks to its peppy citrusy aroma while the Sweet Dreams calms you right into a restful sleep. The Stress Away wipes away the stress from your muscles while the Breathe Easy keeps you, well, breathing easy.

PILI is available at selected Southstar Drug branches. It’s a fitting partnership: PILI and Southstar Drug both give tremendous pride to the Bicol region and both are enterprises that began from the ground up and grew to become top quality brands.