Sangyaw Dream Run Highlights the Importance of Play, Participation, and Community Action for Children

Tacloban City, Philippines | May 31, 2026

More than 300 runners gathered at the Tacloban City Hall Grounds on May 31 for the Sangyaw Dream Run, the official kick-off event of this year's Sangyaw Festival. Bringing together children, young people, families, and community members, the event celebrated movement, participation, and the collective role communities play in creating opportunities for children to thrive.

Delivered through a partnership between FundLife and the City Government of Tacloban, through the Tacloban City Tourism Operations Office, the run attracted 338 participants, including 183 females and 155 males, who competed across the 6K, 12K, and 21K race categories. The strong turnout reflected the community's commitment to active lifestyles and inclusive participation.

At the heart of the event were children and young people. A total of 124 children and adolescents took part in the run, demonstrating the growing interest of young people in sport, recreation, and community engagement. Their participation transformed the event into more than a race—it became a visible expression of what is possible when children are given opportunities to be active, included, and celebrated within their communities.

The run also showcased the remarkable potential of young athletes. Several podium finishers were children and adolescents, including winners as young as 12 years old. Competing alongside adult runners, they demonstrated talent, discipline, and determination, highlighting the positive outcomes that emerge when young people are supported to participate in sport and physical activity.

Beyond the race course, children and families enjoyed a range of fun games and recreational activities that fostered connection, enjoyment, and active participation. These moments reinforced an important message at the heart of FundLife's work: play is not simply recreation—it is essential to children's physical health, mental wellbeing, social development, and sense of belonging.

As Tacloban celebrated its culture, faith, and heritage through the Sangyaw Festival, the Sangyaw Dream Run also served as a timely reminder ahead of the International Day of Play that the opportunity to move, play, and participate cannot be taken for granted.

While hundreds of children crossed the starting line in Tacloban, many children around the world continue to face barriers that limit their access to safe spaces for play and recreation. Poverty, inequality, displacement, unsafe environments, and a lack of accessible community facilities mean that millions of children are denied opportunities that are fundamental to their development and wellbeing.

For FundLife and GirlsGotThis, the Sangyaw Dream Run formed part of the organization's Move for Play campaign, which champions every child's right to play, participate, and develop in safe and supportive environments. The event demonstrated how communities can create spaces where children are visible, valued, and empowered to engage fully in community life.

The strong participation of children and young people throughout the event serves as both a celebration and a call to action. It celebrates what is possible when children are provided with opportunities to move, play, and connect. At the same time, it reminds us that access to play remains unequal, and that ensuring every child can enjoy this fundamental right requires continued commitment from local governments, communities, schools, families, and partners.

As the world marks the International Day of Play, FundLife reaffirms its belief that play is not a privilege—it is a right. Through sport, play, and meaningful participation, children develop the confidence, resilience, and skills they need to navigate challenges and build brighter futures. Creating opportunities for children to play is not only an investment in individual wellbeing; it is an investment in stronger, healthier, and more inclusive communities.

The Sangyaw Dream Run was made possible through the collaboration between FundLife and the City Government of Tacloban, through the Tacloban City Tourism Operations Office, whose partnership helped bring this vision to life.