A total number of 1, 819 participants joined one of the biggest and most modern water theme parks in Asia, Aqua Planet, as it hosted the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL) on Thursday, June 20, 2019. It also aims to attempt to break the current Guinness World Record set by Florida, USA with 1,308 participants last 2014.

WLSL is a global campaign with 49 countries actively participating as a member of the World Waterpark Association (WWA) that helps the global aquatic industry to work together in providing basic swimming skills to children to prevent drowning.

World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that drowning is one of the major public health problems worldwide and third leading cause of unintentional injury-related death.

With the advocacy “Swimming Lessons Save Lives”, Aqua Planet, in partnership with Bert Lozada Swim School (BLSS), is committed to saving lives by spreading awareness and educating people, especially children, on how to be safer in and around water, and that learning proper and basic swimming techniques is not only for competitive sport but it can also save a life from drowning.

During his welcome speech, Dr. Irineo “Bong” Alvaro Jr., President of BB International Leisure and Resort Development,is exalted that a big number of children are willing to learn how to swim.

“This event does not onlyfocus on breaking the Guinness World Record, but most importantlywe focus on teaching the community, especially the children, on how to swim in a fun and exciting way,” he said.

Alvaro also emphasized that “learning how to swim can save not only your life, but you can save the life of others as well.”

As a staunch advocate of swimming as an essential survival skill, BLSS headed simultaneous swimming lessons highlighting the five basics of swimming, which includes breathing, floating, paddling or kicking, and proper swimming strokes to the children from Pampangafrom elementary students from public schools, children from orphanages, indigenous communities, local government units, to children with special needs.

Filipino actor and swimmer Enchong Dee was also present in the event to give inspiration and to empower the children to swim.

“When I was a kid, I always pay attention to the swimming lessons taught to me because I know, when the need arises, it will all be beneficial to me and in helping others,” he said.

Aside from learning the survival skills on swimming, the children were also given some guidelines and safety reminders on what to do during an earthquake especially if they happened to be inside a water park.

This is the second year Aqua Planet has successfully held the event,exceeding its last year’s record of 1,273 participants, in underlining the importance of international water safety standards, and making it the first and only establishment in the Philippines to participate in this worthy cause.

Also partaking in this endeavorare Bert Lozada Foundation, Pocari Sweat, Salonpas, and The Gaming Beat Charity.

The other 48 countries that took part in the campaign are: Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Benin, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sudan, Switzerland, Thailand, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, Ukraine, UAE, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, and Zimbabwe.

Enjoy upgraded #WatermazingExperience with family, friends, and company at Aqua Planet. Weekend rate at 1180php for adults and 980php for kids (4ft. and below). Weekday rates at 950php for adults and 750php for kids (4ft and below). To learn more, like and follow Aqua Planet on Facebook and Instagram (@aquaplanetph), visit http://www.aquaplanet.ph, and/or contact 045-499-8277.

 Sesame Street, the famous and well-loved children’s television program in the world, turns 50. As part of its golden celebration, Heroes Pte Ltd has partnered with Sesame Workshop, debuting the first-ever Sesame Street Run Tour on August 17, 2019, at SM by the Bay in Pasay City.

Entitled “Sesame Street’s 50 Years and Counting Run”, this historic running event’s first kick off will happen in the Philippines. The revelry will continue as Sesame Street goes to other Southeast Asian countries – Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. 

In line with the five splendid decades of Sesame Street, the run will feature a five-kilometer family fun run across all ages. On its 50^th birthday, witness Sesame Street Giant Birthday cake blowout before the flag off with a special countdown by Count Von Count. Get showered with Abby’s Magic Dust before running into a fun-filled 5KM Sesame Street Run. Meet Sesame Street characters like Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster and the gang at the starting line and relive childhood memories. 

After the run, Sesame Street will treat its participants to many exciting activities that they will surely love. For five decades, we have seen how Sesame Street made learning fun for children.

Learn road safety as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will take the participants to an engaging obstacle course activities. Recently, Sesame Street has forged ties with the MMDA to help disseminate proper information regarding safety concerns in a child-friendly manner. This partnership with the MMDA has also aimed at heightening public awareness of the agency’s key functions – road safety, traffic education, environmental care, solid waste management, and public safety.

Joining this once in a lifetime race will give its participants exclusive access to Sesame Street’s 50 Years and Counting’s irresistible merchandise items. Get these limited-edition products – smart scarf which can be worn in different styles, light and breathable drifit shirt, a functional bag, a trucker cap, and sunglasses by signing up for any of these runner’s entitlement: Go Cute with Elmo (P1400.00), Go Hungry with Cookie Monster (P2300.00), Go Magic with Abby Caddaby (P3100.00), or Go Big with Big Bird (P4000.00).Avail of a group discount by signing up five (5) or more friends to get a 10 percent discount. For children who are born on August 18, 2015, and after, they are eligible to FREE admission (without any entitlement). They must be accompanied by a registered adult.

Participants will also receive free healthy cookies from Cookie by the Bucket, the official cookie partner of Sesame Street Run Tour. There will be a traditional Piñatas courtesy of Piñata Party PH to complete the birthday party. Get to sing and dance with Sesame Street’s furry friends during the meet and greet. Interact with family and friends at several booth-sponsored activities from its generous sponsors. Savor fondest memories of this run by having photos taken at Sesame Street’s photo booth. 

Participants can also purchase these Sesame Street’s 50 years design merchandise separately by ordering online or with our Official Timer and Registration Partner – Garmin Philippines. . 

Sesame Street Run Tour’s on-site registration is now available at selected Garmin Philippines branches – SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, Glorietta 5, SM North EDSA, and Alabang Town Center.  Meanwhile, online registration is still ongoing. Visit http://www.sesamestreetrun.com and sign up to experience Sesame Street’s exciting birthday treats. 

Registration ends on June 30, 2019. Claiming of the race kits and limited-edition merchandise will happen one week before the event at SM by the Bay in Pasay City.

The Sesame Street Run Tour in the Philippines is brought to you by Heroes in partnership with the MMDA. Special thanks to our official venue partner, SM By the Bay and SM Mall of Asia, official registration partner and timer, Garmin Philippines, official cookie partner, Cookie by the Bucket and official piñata, Piñata Party PH.

This run is also powered by Aldenver Marketing, Inc., the local event agency partner of Heroes.

For more information regarding the Sesame Street Run Tour in the Philippines, please contact

For more information regarding the Sesame Street Run Tour in the Philippines, please contact Ms. Veronica Ramos of AldenverMarketing at 0927-8484533 or 0998-9565231 or e-mail her at aldenver.veronicaramos@gmail.com.  For other announcements and updates, visit Sesame Street Run Tour on Facebook and Instagram.