Last year’s inaugural GCash Run proved to be more than just a social fitness gathering, planting trees for every sign-up to pave the way toward a more sustainable future. This year, the event returned not only as a purpose-driven run but also as a full-fledged wellness festival, combining fitness, community, and environmental advocacy.
GCash’s Ongoing Commitment to the Environment
GCash has been actively protecting the environment through its GForest program, where every transaction earns green energy points. These points can be redeemed to plant trees, empowering users to become “GForest Heroes.” Last year, GForest Heroes participated in the first GCash Run, resulting in the planting of 76,000 mangrove trees across 11 hectares in the Negros Region.
On March 22, the second edition of GCash Run took place along Ayala Avenue, gathering runners of all levels, including pets, and planting even more trees. Winsley Bangit, Group Head for New Businesses of Mynt, the parent company of GCash, said during the event, “In partnership with Silliman University, we’ve reached a milestone of 40,500 trees planted and united eco-conscious brands and partners to share advocacies and inspire collective action. Regardless of the distance, the first step today was a giant leap for a greener and sustainable tomorrow.”
Activities and Attractions Highlighting Wellness and Sustainability
This year’s GCash Run offered a range of activities that highlighted diverse passions and advocacies, including music, wellness, sustainable shopping, and farm-to-table products. After the run, participants explored the Green Hero Village and Eco Marketplace, sharing meaningful moments with fellow runners. Overall, the event combined fitness, community, and advocacy, leaving participants with a deeper appreciation for sustainability and shared experiences beyond the run.
GCash Run 2026 also featured unique reasons for participants to say “ready, set, grow!”
Record-Breaking Impact
GCash Run 2026 offered a platform for participants to join a larger cause. Since 2019, GForest Heroes have contributed to the planting of 4.2 million trees, reforesting almost 19,000 hectares of land, an area larger than Quezon City, and supporting 15,000 farming families. GCash demonstrates that heroes are made, not born.
Sustainably Stylish with Paw-Sitive Energy
Participants at GCash Run 2026 enjoyed wearing sustainable singlets made from recycled materials. Pets also joined the movement in a 1km run alongside their humans, sporting matching bandanas, showing that sustainability is a family affair, including furry companions.
Cashing-In on the Green Vibe
The event welcomed participants to the “Green Hero Village,” where runners earned GCash Credits and recycled with the PET Bottle Collector. From using 100% recycled GCash Cards to visiting eco-friendly MSME booths, the event emphasized sustainability in every aspect.
Mark of a Hero
GForest Heroes demonstrated how digital transactions can drive real-world environmental outcomes. Participants received Digital Tree certificates, rang the PR Bell, and immortalized their achievements via medal engraving stations. Ten-kilometer finishers took home special towels as a badge of honor, reflecting their commitment to sustainability.
Gamified Growth Through GForest
GCash Run 2026 also highlighted the GForest platform, where cashing in, sending money, paying bills, buying load, and cashing out earn green energy points. These points can be redeemed to plant virtual trees, proving that fitness and forest-building are the new power duo.
Eco-Marketplace Partners and Corporate Support
Sustainability took center stage at the village with 22 eco-marketplace partners, including araro.gelato, Kangkong King, Odd Cafe, Commune Cafe & Bar, Hatchin Trading Corp, Planted Bodega, Cafe Leopoldo, Abel Philippines, Cut the Craft, Eco Shift Essentials, Kaunlaran Fabric, Wonder Home, Maginhawa Eco-Store, Pili Ani, Malingkat Weaves, For Keeps Clean Beauty, Plato Wraps, Vitargo, Rural Rising, and Colors and Petals. The cashless eco merchant zone also showcased GCash for Business solutions, including SoundPay, PocketPay, and EasyPOS, allowing runners to purchase sustainable products and healthy food effortlessly.
The event was supported by advocacy organizations and corporate partners such as ABS-CBN Foundation, Angat Buhay, Berdeng Kalabaw, Caritas Manila, CRIBS Foundation, One Million Lights, Team Manila, UNICEF, WWF, and Zolo. Platinum sponsors included eTap Solutions, Globe, IKEA Philippines, Pay&Go, and Smart. Silver sponsors were BPI MS Insurance and Standard Insurance, while Bronze sponsors included ECPay, Park Access, REV, and Singlife. Corporate Run Club Partners included ATRAM, ECPay, eTap Solutions, Globe, STTelemedia Global Data Centres, Pay&Go, PDAX, Seapeak, and Tech Mahindra.
A Journey Beyond the Finish Line
GCash Run 2026 proved that the finish line is only the beginning of a more purposeful, sustainable journey. Combining fitness, wellness, community, and environmental advocacy, the event continues to inspire participants to take real steps toward a greener future.
Learn more about GCash and the GForest initiative by visiting www.gcash.com.
