Anne Curtis runs for a cause

UNICEF was impressed by the actress’ enthusiasm and compassion.

Actress Anne Curtis is running, too.

The mainstay of ABS-CBN’s noontime program “It’s Showtime” declared during a recent press conference that she would join the 21k half marathon “Heroes for Children Run,” organized by humanitarian agency Unicef, on Oct. 25.

Anne, after all, is Unicef’s celebrity advocate for children.

“Knowing that I am running for a big cause and have compassion for kids, I’m so passionate about this project,” she said.

This is Anne’s first-ever major fundraiser since Unicef appointed her as celebrity advocate in March this year.

The fun run aims to raise funds to support its program, “The First 1,000 days of Life.”

According to Unicef country representative Lotta Sylwander, the campaign will focus on much-needed health and nutrition support in the critical first 1,000 days of a child’s life.

“In the Philippines, there are at least 3.4 million Filipino children whose development is stunted,” Sylwander observed. “Worse, undernutrition accounts for over half of the daily under-5 child deaths.”

She was impressed with Anne for taking the time to know more about Unicef’s programs.

“Anne read up on Unicef programs and projects, and attended our teach-ins on the different aspects of a child’s life. We admire her enthusiasm,” she said.

Meanwhile, Anne said she learned a lot as a Unicef advocate. “I realized the importance of the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, which begins from day one of pregnancy to the second birthday of the child. I learned how important it is for mothers to have prenatal checkups and go for vaccinations for their children. I appreciated the importance of breastfeeding for kids up to their second year of life.”

Sylwander said, “I have traveled with Anne to Tacloban and visited children affected by supertyphoon ‘Yolanda,’ and I am impressed with her sincerity. Her compassion (for these children) is very unique, which makes her the ideal celebrity ambassador for children in the Philippines. Her dedication can be contagious. She is very hands-on. She has mobilized her own networks and resources to make this happen. Her popularity and large fan base is an excellent carrier of Unicef messages.”

Beneficiary

According to Anne, Unicef is close to her heart. It was her beneficiary when she won during her anniversary in “Showtime” in 2012. She donated all her winnings to the organization back then.

“This whole experience is something I’ll never forget. It’s something I’ll carry on. Being an advocate for children, all the more I have become committed in raising awareness of issues, rights and needs that have to be focused on. Children should be given priority. We want only the best for them—to have a bright future, a better place.”

Does she have plans to raise her own kids in the near future?

“It’s great to be an advocate for children because I’m surrounded by kids, and I get that feeling of being like a big sister or almost like a mom to them, so I guess that would keep me content at the moment,” she quipped.

“If I weren’t an actress, [helping kids] is something I would enjoy doing for the rest of my life,” she added.

Anne is currently doing a film alongside Paulo Avelino. She also finished writing a book for children—another Unicef project.

The fun run is targeting roughly 2,000 runners: 600 runners for the 21k; 700 for the 5k and 10k respectively; and 200 to 400 runners for the 500-meter dash for kids 12 years and below.

Why a fun run? “Because I enjoy running and it promotes health and fitness and, at the same time, it’s a great way to raise resources in providing the needs of these children,” said Anne, who is running in the 21k half marathon with celebrity-friends Solenn Heusaff and Isabelle Daza.

Online registration for the “Heroes for Children Run” is open (www.takbo.ph/heroesforchildren) until Oct. 11. In-store registration is ongoing until Oct. 21 at Chris Sports outlets in SM MoA, SM Megamall, SM City North Edsa, SM City BF Parañaque, Glorietta, and Market! Market! Visit www.unicef.ph or call 7581000 for details.

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