Alay Lakad 2015

Congratulations for one of the most successful walks to date to Alay Lakad, IPP/AG Frank Evaristo (President of Alay Lakad Foundation) and RC Manila Midtown, the host club for Rotary District 3810. Approximately ± 1 million was raised, with exuberant participation of about 300,000 people from not only the NCR, but also from several provinces outside the NCR and from at least six foreign countries, mostly by invitation of our sponsored Rotaract club.

The walk to generate support for disadvantaged youth began in 1972 by DSWD, with the help of the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts. Benefitting out of school youth was obviously a great idea and it gathered the support of First Lady Imelda Marcos, expanding to include the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (now DepEd), the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development now (DILG), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the National Media Center (now PIA) from the government sector. From the private sector were JCI Philippines (Philippine Jaycees, Inc.), Rotary International, Lions and the Kiwanis Clubs, the Young Men’s and the Young Women’s Christian Associations (YMCA and YWCA), the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP), the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), the Grand Lodge of Freemasonry of the Philippines, the Knights of Columbus, and many other government and non-government organizations.

The parade of literally hundreds of units started with assembly at 5:00 am, with seemingly countless color guards, bands, and banners announcing every group as they paraded by the Quirino Grandstands. Sponsors are asked to donate a certain amount for every kilometer covered by a hiker, usually only one peso per kilometer per participant. The funds raised are used to finance socio-economic projects for the needy out-of-school youth, including skills training on various occupational trades, income generated projects leadership training and cultural services.