Dreams do come true through "The Happiest 5K on the Planet" Color Run with UNICEF Ambassador Anne Curtis

I have been joining fun runs for over 4 years to get fit and it has become a part of my fitness routine. I have witnessed all sort of themes. But this time, ”The Happiest 5K on the Planet” Color Run was by far the most relevant, because it was for a good cause and the most fun colorful race I have ever been. It was a sold out Color Run Dream joined by 10,200+ millennials last Sept 3 at the SM Mall of Asia grounds. This was for the benefit of UNICEF,  the first project of Anne Curtis's Dream Machine PH. 

UNICEF Celebrity Advocate for Children Anne Curtis joined the  ”The Happiest 5K on the Planet” and supported by celebrity friends Nico Bolzico, Raymond Gutierrez, Carla Humphries, and fiancee Erwan Heussaff. There was an after party for the color runners with DJ Tom Taus providing live percussion at the background.

 "Last year, we saw 7,000 runners making a difference for children’s health and nutrition. This year, we are so happy to gather 10,000 runners in this colorful run to help children with disabilities achieve their dreams," says Curtis.  

The Color Run, the largest fun run series in the world that has brought joy to over 6 million runners worldwide in 35+ countries, finally lands in the Philippines through Anne Curtis’ foundation, Dream Machine.

“The Color Run is among the first major projects of the Dream Machine, which is a platform to help dreamers achieve their dreams," Anne adds.

"Anne is untiring and unwavering in her support for children. Her generosity to sponsor and organize this fundraising activity inspires us to keep innovating in our work for children,” says UNICEF Country Representative Lotta Sylwander. 

Sylwander adds, ”Children with disabilities are Just like any other children. They want to be seen and heard, to be loved, to go to school and be useful members of society. UNICEF is working to give them access to health services that will enable them to have a fair chance in life. All the funds raised in the run will help us bring these services to all children with disabilities in the country.” 

According to UNICEF Philippines, an estimated one out of seven children or around five million are living with disabilities that range from hearing, visual, and mobility impairment including those who have development or learning disabilities. To address the situation, UNICEF aims to build four one-stop shops throughout the Philippines to provide comprehensive services such as diagnosis, provision of assistive devices, counselling, referral, and therapy.

The Color Run is a five-kilometer, un-timed event in which thousands of participants, or ”Color Runners", are doused from head to toe in different colors at each kilometer. Along the 5K color and music-filled course, participants can run through frothy foam and bubble zones, snap photos with unicorns, and get the ultimate color inspiration as they party with family and friends at the Finish Festival amidst vibrant bursts of color throws.

Presented by Dream Machine and organized by RunRio, The Color Run Dream for the benefit of UNlCEF is made possible through the support of SM Mall of Asia, Cherry Mobile, Enervon, .Jollibee, PMX, Swatch, Viva Artists Agency, Audi, B’lue, Salonpas, Toy Kingdom, Viva Live, Maynilad. 

Actress Anne Curtis meets with with children and families of UNICEF supported Yolanda efforts

Newly appointed UNICEF Celebrity Advocate for Children Anne Curtis spent two moving days visiting parts of Leyte. She saw the recovery operations just over a year after Typhoon Yolanda and took time to engage and interact with children and their families.

“I am honored to join UNICEF on this very fulfilling and meaningful trip. I am deeply touched by how children and families have coped and are building back their lives. Clearly, significant progress have been achieved. Talking to children and their families, and being able to bring smiles to their faces is something I will remember for the rest of my life,” said Anne Curtis.

She adds, “As a donor and supporter of UNICEF, I am glad to see how our funds have reached and worked for children most in need.” In the past two days, Anne saw UNICEF supported emergency response while visiting a maternal health care ward in the regional hospital, an immunization site, a child friendly space at a temporary housing site, educational facilities such as day care centres and elementary schools, equipped with water, sanitation and hygiene facilities. In every site she visited, Anne took her time to talk with children and families.

“I played with children in a child-friendly space and a day care centre. I read books to them and helped them draw in an arts & crafts session. I washed hands with school children and participated in their song and dance number,” shared Anne, “It was heartwarming to listen to mothers, children and young people. It is important that people know these stories, understand how communities are recovering and what we can do to help.”

As a UNICEF Celebrity Advocate for Children, Anne will focus on promoting Early Childhood Care & Development. She will also help in mobilizing support and resources for the most vulnerable children and families, those living in abject poverty, are affected by violence, abuse, exploitation, and particularly in emergency and conflict situations.

“Anne has been a steady supporter of UNICEF since 2009. UNICEF Philippines welcomes her as a Celebrity Advocate,” said UNICEF Philippines Representative Ms. Lotta Sylwander. “We trust that with her popularity and large following, Anne will play a significant role in drawing due attention to issues affecting the most vulnerable, marginalized and underserved children.”

In the Philippines, Anne joins UNICEF National Ambassador Gary Valenciano and UNICEF Special Advocate for Children Daphne Paez in upholding UNICEF’s mandate to protect and promote the rights of children worldwide.