8,000 Gather for #BFF2024FamilyRunPlus1 to Launch National Family Week

More than 8,000 participants gathered at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Concert Grounds on Saturday, September 21, 2024, to kick off this year’s celebration of National Family Week.

The #BFF2024FamilyRunPlus1, organized by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, brought together Filipino families from all walks of life for an early morning of celebration, fun, and unity despite the overcast skies and threat of rain.

Presiding over the event was Elder Carlos G. Revillo Jr., Philippines Area President of the Church. “Good morning to all of you! I am thrilled to be with you this morning. Let's enjoy and have fun together with one another,” Elder Revillo said in his opening message before the start of the fun run. Many attendees arrived early, gathering at the Runner’s Village as early as 4:30 a.m.

Government officials, including Undersecretary Adonis Sulit of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Atty. Eric Peter Pardo, Chief of Staff to Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto Rubiano, and their staff attended and expressed their support for the event.

"Let's enjoy today's activity. Let's enjoy the company of each other. Ipagdiwang po natin ang kahalagahan ng pamilyang Pilipino. Mabuhay po ang pamilyang Pilipino. (Let us celebrate the importance of the Filipino family. Long live the Filipino family!)” Undersecretary Sulit remarked.

Hosted by #BFF Ambassadors Eric "Eruption" Tai, his wife Rona Samson-Tai, and Xia Vigor, the event was filled with electric excitement, fun, and joy.

"My family had a wonderful bonding experience, quality time together, and an excellent opportunity to connect with other members of the Church and meet new friends from other faiths and organizations," said one of the attendees.

"What a great activity! The fun run brought all these families together and encouraged us to grow closer. Even through this is an annual event, we are continually impressed by the joy and sense of togetherness it brings. Most of all, the kids are so happy, and they love being here," shared another participant, expressing their excitement for the family-friendly atmosphere.

The highlight of the event was a 3.5km fun run, complete with family-friendly obstacles and challenges that reinforced important teachings about families found in The Family: A Proclamation to the World.

Published 29 years ago, The Family Proclamation is a statement from the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles emphasizing the importance of marriage and family in God’s eternal plan. It also outlines parents' responsibilities and provides principles for happy and successful families.

Following the run, families enjoyed games and activities made available at the Runner’s Village, leading to an exciting, star-studded concert. Performers included the Torch Family sisters from Utah, Mikee Misalucha, Filipina teen actress Xia Vigor, and headliner Lani Misalucha, Asia’s Nightingale.

The concert also featured the premiere of a newly arranged music video of "F.A.M. (Forevers Are Made)," last year’s #BFF Theme Song Contest winner, composed by Heber Nathaniel Martinez, who is currently serving a full-time mission in Cebu.

The current version now includes Cebuano lyrics, contributed by the Cagayan de Oro Regional Choir, to resonate with more Filipino families, especially those from the Visayas and Mindanao regions. The video stars Xia alongside her friends Adrian, Enos, Kaelyn, and Noreen and showcases Filipino families from different parts of the Philippines, the UK, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, New Zealand, Canada, and the US.

As part of the ongoing National Family Week celebration, the Church is also launching "Family Conversations," a five-episode series hosted by Eric, Rona, and Xia. The episodes will be posted daily on the Church’s YouTube channel (@churchofjesuschristph) starting Monday, September 23, at 7 PM. Families can look forward to activities such as cooking lessons, games, and spiritual moments designed to strengthen family bonds and create lasting memories.

The #BFF2024FamilyRunPlus1 is part of The Church of Jesus Christ’s ongoing efforts to support National Family Week in the Philippines. The Church has been a long-time partner of the National Committee on the Filipino Family (NCFF), an organization established by the Philippine government to strengthen Filipino families by promoting family-centered policies and programs.

In addition to the fun run, the Church is collaborating with the NCFF on activities such as an urban gardening site visit and training in San Juan City and an interfaith family forum in Quezon City.