Xentra, a leading IT outsourcing company, is taking an active role in promoting health and wellness among its employees, as the company gears up to sponsor the upcoming Barasoain Run 2024. This marathon is more than just a race—it’s about fostering a sense of community, embracing healthy lifestyles, and being part of something larger.
The Chairman’s Initiative
At the forefront of this initiative is Maner Puyawan, Xentra’s chairman, who is a passionate advocate for fitness and healthy living. As an occasional triathlete and co-founder of the global running group, Pinoy Runners, the Chairman knows firsthand the benefits of staying active. Pinoy Runners, which started in the USA, has grown to include Filipino runners from all over the world. The Chairman has long been an inspiration for others, especially for Filipinos abroad, to keep healthy through running.
With Barasoain Run 2024 fast approaching—and coincidentally happening on the Chairman’s birthday—he’s using the event as an opportunity to encourage Xentra’s employees to participate, especially those working from home and on graveyard shifts. In celebration of his birthday, the Chairman has decided to cover the registration fees for all participating employees, provide custom Xentra-branded running shirts, and even offer cash prizes for the top three finishers within the company.
To further support his employees’ preparation for the run, the Chairman has enlisted the help of his personal fitness coach, Coach Dax, a well-known expert in the field of endurance training. During a Zoom meeting on September 5, Coach Dax shared valuable advice and tips to help Xentra employees train effectively for the race. His expertise in fitness training added an extra layer of support for participants, ensuring they are well-prepared physically and mentally.
How It All Started
But his commitment goes beyond just incentives. During a Zoom meeting on September 5, the Chairman personally shared his fitness journey with employees.
The Chairman opened up about his past struggles with weight. According to him, he was 35 to 40 lbs overweight and had a 36 to 38 waistline. He was inspired to be fit through a Facebook post that was shared by a high school classmate who became fit and slim because of running. Running, hence, became a transformative tool in the Chairman’s quest for a healthier lifestyle.
Advice to Xentra Employees
In the Chairman’s story, he shared how he started running by measuring the distance he can run through lamp posts on the streets. At first, he ran from one lamp post to another, then walked from one lamp post to another, and ran again. He did this until eventually, he became comfortable running long distances.
However, for the Barasoain Run 2024, the Chairman doesn’t want to push anybody to their limits. His message to employees was clear:
“It’s a social run. You don’t have to sweat it out. Use this time for bonding. [And] I hope this should start everyone to be more active, [because] at the end of the day, we’re not getting any younger. I support this initiative. I hope this will be continuous.”
All for a Healthy Lifestyle
Maner Puyawan’s story is a reminder that no matter where you start, making positive lifestyle changes is possible with dedication. He hopes this event will motivate Xentra employees to embrace fitness as part of their daily lives, especially given the challenges of working from home. The Barasoain Run is not just a chance to promote the company but an opportunity for Xentra employees to invest in their health while fostering camaraderie.
