10-10-10 Run for Pasig River

[sharkey360]

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The organizers of this running event are so highly confident of setting a new Guinness world record.

I guess it comes down to these - is such a target doable or not? Could the bold predictions and promotions end up being bigger than the race itself?

I've seen many local groups and individuals make such ambitious remarks or promotions of their events. Some of them arrogantly predicted their events will turn out "world-class", yet ended up disappointing many when the outcome did not reach expectations.

Let's see how the race turns out tomorrow. There better be more than 110,000 participants present to break the record. Certain foot races from the past reported high registrations but ended up having noticeably low turn outs (like 40% off).

The Philippines’ 10.10.10 Run for Pasig River is poised to break the world record for the largest number of participants in a foot race on Sunday, October 10.

Some 140,000 runners are currently registered for the run. But those organizing the event from ABS-CBN Foundation’s Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog (KBPIP), expect only 120,000 actual participants.

Even so, that would be enough to take the Guinness world record title for most participants in a footrace. The record of 110,000 runners has been held for 22 years by San Francisco’s 1988 “Bay to Breakers” race.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Gina Lopez, ABS-CBN’s Foundation managing director, said “it (record-breaking participation) will send the message that Filipinos care, and that united we can make a difference, and united, we can break world records. We all care about cleaning the river, so everybody should make things happen because this is the pulse of the nation.”

A total of 23,000 runners turned out for last year’s Pasig River marathon. This year’s run is bringing in participants from a variety of sectors, ranging from government offices to business corporations and even schools.

By June, colleges and universities, with the support of the Commission on Higher Education, had pledged over 79,000 student runners. The Philippine National Police, Coast Guard and Navy also promised to have 3,000 of their personnel participate.

Transporting change

Bus companies are the latest group to line up in support of the 10.10.10 Run for Pasig River.

Lopez thanked the bus operators Integrated Metro Bus Operators Association (IMBOA) and Metro Bus Transport (PROBUS) for providing the free shuttle service that will enable the record participation.

All together, the bus companies under IMBOA (Philippine Corinthian Liner, Mannrose Liner, Mayamy Transport, Cher/jkj Express, Mersan Transport, RBM Grand Rally Trans, Everlasting/Guardian Angels and Jasper Jean), and under PROBUS (G-Liner, MALTC, Admiral, Commuters, Don Mariano, Fermex, Royal, Nova, Pamana, HM, Rainbow, Jayross, Aerobus, Hi-Star, Vil 5000, Ma-Fel, Starbus, CityBus, TAS, JRMS, NS, MGP) will provide more than 80 buses during the race.

A few buses will be used as ambulances on the day of the race, and some of the drivers themselves may run.

Presidents and the Pasig

Since the Pasig River was declared biologically dead in the early 1990s, each of the Philippines’ presidents have fought for its restoration.

Under President Fidel Ramos, 5,000 families living along the river and considered to be its major polluters were resettled. The Habitat International Coalition reports that 30% to 40% of those people returned to Manila for economic reasons.

Former President Joseph Estrada also attempted to evict families from the river, but was forced to abandon that plan after a community in Pineda successfully resisted demolition.

After two failed ferry projects along the Pasig River in the 1990s, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo launched the current sucessful ferry service there in 2007. But still, the majority of the 26-kilometer-long river remains polluted.

As chairperson of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC), Gina Lopez has a hopeful vision for remodeling the Pasig River and the communities around it, starting with the esteros.

Lopez said: “For me, if the esteros and river are clean, the impact is three. One, peace and order. The second one is the economy. History shows us that all over the world, that when the water is clean, the real estate on the two sides of a clean waterway is always the one that’s expensive. The third is health. The reason we have dengue is because the esteros aren’t clean, they’re breeding mosquitos. If the waters are clean, wala ng methane gas going around, and no more bacteria going around, then health will improve.”

Lopez said she will run every year until the river is clean. At least for this weekend, a record breaking number of other runners will likely follow her lead.

Source - Pasig River Run poised to break world record | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

[sharkey360]

More than 100,000 people have started to run for a cause in the 10.10.10 Run for the Pasig River event on Sunday.

ABS-CBN Chairman Gabby Lopez led a handful of runners in the longest run, the 21K, which started at 4:15 a.m. at SM Mall in Marikina City, radio DZMM said.

At 5:45 a.m., people from all walks of life started to run from Ayala Ave. corner Makati Ave. for the 10K, Star City in Pasay for the 5K, and Diosdado Macapagal Avenue near the Mall of Asia for the 3K run.

Around 150,000 people registered for the run.

Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, together with ABS-CBN sports correspondent Dyan Castillejo, joined the 10K race.

Actor Piolo Pascual was at the 10K starting line but announced that he would not be able to run as he was sick. However, he cheered the runners as they passed by him at the starting line.

FVR: It's for our future

Prior to the start of the fun run, former President Fidel Ramos told DZMM he believes the country will "surely break" the Guinness World Record for the largest number of participants in a foot race--the 110,000 runners who joined the "Bay to Breakers" race in San Francisco, California in 1988.

Ramos, himself a frequent jogger, said the Run for the Pasig River event was not just for the Pasig River but for "us, for our environment, our future, and for a higher quality of life."

Ramos joined the 3K run with his wife Ming, who headed the efforts to rehabilitate the Pasig River during the Ramos administration.

Bro. Mike asks for forgiveness

El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde led thousands of his flock in the 5K run. Around 50,000 El Shaddai members were expected to join the race.

Prior to the start of the race, Velarde said clean rivers are essential to a having a healthy people. He led a community prayer which sought God's forgiveness for the poor state of the Pasig river.

Health buffs and environmentalists trooped to the 3 starting points of the benefit run to help rehabilitate the Pasig River.

Other celebrities who were supposed to join were Pokwang, Angel Aquino, Cheska Garcia, Melai Cantiveros, Jason Francisco, Jovit Baldovino, Karylle and Luis Manzano.

Running for country

Event organizers were optimistic that the run will draw enough support to break the Guinness World Record for the largest number of participants in a foot race.

“I wanna break the world record every year until we clean the river,” ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. Managing Director Gina Lopez told Karen Davila on ANC’s “Headstart” on Friday.

“We’re doing good but the key here, the record is 110,000. They have to cross the finish line. If you don’t cross the finish line, it’s not counted,” she added.

Speaking on the same show, ABS-CBN Correspondent Dyan Castillejo added: “It doesn’t matter how many start. It matters how many finish.”

The running craze

Castillejo, an athlete herself, had advised runners not to overexert themselves. She also talked about the running phenomenon in the country.

“Everybody’s into running right now. There’s such a passion and enthusiasm for running. So instead of just running like for your own benefit, like to gain your own exercise, which is also a side benefit, develop relations with who you run. There’s such a ‘togetherness’ when you run,” she said.

“The feeling of being part of a big group and doing something active, really, it’s very different,” added Castillejo, who participated in the recently-concluded CamSur International Marathon.

She also hoped that the runners for the Pasig River will be able to realize that they can do something to help save the environment and country.

“We’re running not just for ourselves. We’re running for our country. We’re running for the river,” she stated.

More than the record

Lopez, meantime, stressed that Sunday’s marathon is not just all about achieving a Guinness World Record.

“I think we stand to gain earn P10 million to P12 million net and we wanna split that between Calauan [resettlement site in Laguna] and Pasig River. Our game plan this year is to clean the network of esteros (creeks) behind Malacañang,” said Lopez.

“Now we’re only doing esteros because you can’t clean the river if you don’t clean what goes inside,” she explained.

The 10.10.10 Run for the Pasig River has a P250 registration fee.

“Cleaning the Pasig River is not just about cleaning the water of a river. I feel the ramifications, if we clean this river, it will give our people hope. It’s for our future. It’s reverence for the environment. It’s resuscitating a frame of consciousness which is essential for this country if we do it in the main waterway of the capital city of the country,” she continued.

She also hopes to raise a groundswell movement for the Pasig River rehabilitation project.

The ABS-CBN Foundation has set a 7-year time table to help rehabilitate the Pasig River.

Reminders for runners

Lopez and Castillejo had requested participants to be early on Sunday so that they can all begin running at 5:30 a.m. The 21K ceremonial run participants started at 4:15 a.m.

The starting points were Diokno corner Bayshore Boulevard in SM Mall of Asia for 3K, Vicente Sotto corner Magdalena Jalandoni in CCP Complex for 5K and Ayala Avenue corner Makati Avenue in Makati City for 10K.

The runners were also advised to be responsible when disposing their garbage. “Don’t litter,” Lopez said.

The pre-race program kicked off at 5:10 a.m. while the post-race program was to be held at 6:45 a.m.

Participants were asked to wear their race bibs throughout the event. The bibs will also serve as free access passes to shuttle services/MRT trips, parking and baggage deposit.

Thousands run for Pasig River and country | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

[sharkey360]

The Philippines may just set a new Guinness World Record for most number of participants in a foot race with around 175,000 people running and walking for a cause in the 10.10.10 Run for the Pasig River event on Sunday.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief director Leocadio Santiago estimated that around 175,000 participated in the run, including unregistered runners.

The turn-out prompted the NCRPO to place an additional 1,500 police on top of the 1,750 police originally stationed for the event.

If the figure is confirmed by auditors, the Philippines will beat the 110,000 runners who joined the "Bay to Breakers" race in San Francisco, California in 1988.

Over 150,000 people registered for the run. The ABS-CBN Event Command Control earlier estimated the number of runners at 131,100.

Health buffs and environmentalists from government, business and civil society trooped early Sunday to the starting points of the benefit run to help rehabilitate the Pasig River.

ABS-CBN Chairman Gabby Lopez and brother Ernie Lopez led runners in the longest run, the 21K, which started at 4:15 a.m. at SM Mall in Marikina City, radio DZMM said. Ayala Corp.'s Fernando Zobel de Ayala also ran the 21K.

At 5:45 a.m., people from all walks of life started to run from Ayala Ave. corner Makati Ave. for the 10K, Star City in Pasay for the 5K, and Diokno corner Bayshore Boulevard in SM Mall of Asia for the 3K run.

Pacman and Dyan in 10K

Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, together with ABS-CBN sports correspondent Dyan Castillejo, joined the 10K race.

Pacquiao, also Sarangani congressman, interrupted his training for his fight against Mexican Antonio Margarito to be with the runners. He helped start the 10K race by shouting the famous opening line in boxing and wrestling, "Let's get ready to rumble!"

"I ran with Pacman in the 10k, he was super fast! People were cheering, thrilled to see him, ran all way!" tweeted Castillejo. "10k started in ayala! a sea of people, through buendia, roxas, wow, all converged, it was crazy! but fun, people happy good spirits!"

After finishing the race with Pacquiao at the SM Mall of Asia, she further tweeted the "run my fastest ever cos of pacman who was pushing, i am tired!!"

Although she got tired, she added that "it was so nice to be around Pinoys all gathering for a cause. And super enthusiastic! Pinoy spirit."

"We're waiting for official count by sgv! great show of force by filipinos to save the pasig," she tweeted again after the race.

Accounting firm SGV was assigned to audit the official count.

Actor Piolo Pascual was at the 10K starting line but announced that he would not be able to run as he was sick. However, he cheered the runners as they passed by him at the starting line.

The winners were: Richard Salona and Leaser Pedrina (3K); Mervin Guarte and Leann Baracena (5K); Alquisa Bolivar and Darleen Jamil (10K).

FVR: It's for our future

Former President Fidel V. Ramos pressed the horn to signal the start of the 3K, 5K, and 10K runs.

Prior to the start of the fun run, Ramos told DZMM he believes the country will "surely break" the Guinness World Record for the largest number of participants in a foot race.

Ramos, himself a frequent jogger, said the event was not just for the Pasig River but for "us, for our environment, our future, and for a higher quality of life."

Funds raised from the run will be used for Pasig River clean-up and relocation projects.

Ramos joined the 3K run with his wife Ming, who headed the efforts to rehabilitate the Pasig River during the Ramos administration.

Bro. Mike asks for forgiveness

El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde led thousands of his flock in the 5K run. Around 50,000 El Shaddai members were expected to join the race.

Prior to the start of the race, Velarde said clean rivers are essential to a having a healthy people. He led a community prayer which sought God's forgiveness for the poor state of the Pasig river.

Awards were also given to Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Maynilad, Manila Water, the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and various government agencies who are helping rehabilitate the heavily polluted Pasig River.

Special awards were given to groups for their contributions.

President Aquino's sister, Ballsy Aquino Cruz, Vice-President Jejomar Binay, and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jessie Robredo also joined the event.

Running for country

Event organizers were optimistic that the run will draw enough support to break the Guinness World Record for the largest number of participants in a foot race.

“I wanna break the world record every year until we clean the river,” ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. Managing Director Gina Lopez told Karen Davila on ANC’s “Headstart” on Friday.

“We’re doing good but the key here, the record is 110,000. They have to cross the finish line. If you don’t cross the finish line, it’s not counted,” she added.

Speaking on the same show, ABS-CBN Correspondent Dyan Castillejo added: “It doesn’t matter how many start. It matters how many finish.”

The running craze

Castillejo, an athlete herself, had advised runners not to overexert themselves. She also talked about the running phenomenon in the country.

“Everybody’s into running right now. There’s such a passion and enthusiasm for running. So instead of just running like for your own benefit, like to gain your own exercise, which is also a side benefit, develop relations with who you run. There’s such a ‘togetherness’ when you run,” she said.

“The feeling of being part of a big group and doing something active, really, it’s very different,” added Castillejo, who participated in the recently-concluded CamSur International Marathon.

She also hoped that the runners for the Pasig River will be able to realize that they can do something to help save the environment and country.

We’re running not just for ourselves. We’re running for our country. We’re running for the river,” she stated.

More than the record

Lopez, meantime, stressed that Sunday’s marathon is not just all about achieving a Guinness World Record.

“I think we stand to gain earn P10 million to P12 million net and we wanna split that between Calauan [resettlement site in Laguna] and Pasig River. Our game plan this year is to clean the network of esteros (creeks) behind Malacañang,” said Lopez.

“Now we’re only doing esteros because you can’t clean the river if you don’t clean what goes inside,” she explained.

The 10.10.10 Run for the Pasig River had a P250 registration fee.

“Cleaning the Pasig River is not just about cleaning the water of a river. I feel the ramifications, if we clean this river, it will give our people hope. It’s for our future. It’s reverence for the environment. It’s resuscitating a frame of consciousness which is essential for this country if we do it in the main waterway of the capital city of the country,” she continued.

She also hopes to raise a groundswell movement for the Pasig River rehabilitation project.

The ABS-CBN Foundation has set a 7-year time table to help rehabilitate the Pasig River.

Reminders for runners

Lopez and Castillejo had requested participants to be early on Sunday so that they can all begin running at 5:30 a.m. The 21K ceremonial run participants started at 4:15 a.m.

The starting points were Diokno corner Bayshore Boulevard in SM Mall of Asia for 3K, Vicente Sotto corner Magdalena Jalandoni in CCP Complex for 5K and Ayala Avenue corner Makati Avenue in Makati City for 10K.

The runners were also advised to be responsible when disposing their garbage. “Don’t litter,” Lopez said.

The pre-race program kicked off at 5:10 a.m. while the post-race program was to be held at 6:45 a.m.

Participants were asked to wear their race bibs throughout the event. The bibs will also serve as free access passes to shuttle services/MRT trips, parking and baggage deposit.

Thousands run for Pasig River and country | ABS-CBN News | Latest Philippine Headlines, Breaking News, Video, Analysis, Features

[sharkey360]

In a touching effort to help save the Pasig River, 116,812 people showed up and participated yesterday in what could be a record-setting fun run causing early morning traffic jam around Manila, Makati and Pasay.

Former President Fidel V. Ramos and sports
icon Manny Pacquiao joined the 10.10.10 Run for the Pasig River which may set a new Guinness World Record for most number of participants in a foot race, surpassing 110,000 runners in the “Bay to Breakers” race in San Francisco, California in 1988.

The auditing firm Sycip, Gorres and Velayo recorded the official count at 116,812.

In a radio report, National Capital Region Police Office chief director Leocaldio Santiago estimated 175,000, including unregistered runners.

There were also girl scouts cheering the runners at the starting line. Richard Salona and Leaser Pedrina topped the 3K event, Mervin Guarte and Leann Baracena ruled the 5K run and Alquisa Bolivar and Darleen Jamil reigned supreme in 10K race.

Organizers, however, stressed it’s not about setting a record nor the competition but helping save the environment.

Health buffs and environmentalists from different sectors answered the call, giving their contributions to the cause.

The organizing ABS-CBN Foundation Inc., which accepted 150,000 registered runners, expected a net gain of P10 million to P12 million.

“Our plan this year is to clean the networks of esteros behind Malacañang,” said foundation managing director Gina Lopez.

“Cleaning the Pasig River is not just about cleaning the water of a river. I feel the ramifications, if we clean this river, it will give our people hope. It’s for our future. It’s reverence for the environment,” Lopez said.

The foundation set a seven-year timetable to help rehabilitate the river.

People who joined the fun run were on the same page.

Environmentalists from government, business and civil society voiced out their concerns over further harm to Mother Earth.

Pacquiao took a break from his training in Baguio for his coming fight versus Antonio Margarito to likewise pitch in to the cause.

He ran the 10K from Makati Ave. corner Ayala Ave. to the Mall of Asia (MOA) grounds, drawing cheers and adulation from his fans.

The 3K run drew the biggest number of participants, filling the long stretch of Diokno Ave. in front of MOA.

The Team Army, Team Marines, the PNP runners and students from various schools, colleges and universities were among those seen walking and running through Seaside and Macapagal Blvds. then back at the break of dawn.

“It was fun and fulfilling, knowing I have contributed to a good cause,” said UST engineering student Fausto Manansala.

“I had a good sweat and felt good I’ve done something for the environment,” said an MRT employee.

Over 116,000 join cause to save Pasig | The Philippine Star >> News >> Sports

[sharkey360]

When tens of thousands of Filipinos joined the “Run for the Pasig River” Sunday, the passion they showed for cleaning the Pasig River had a ripple effect.

Not only did their presence give the long-neglected waterway a great big hug, but they also hoped to achieve the race organizers’ goal of beating the Guinness Book of World Record for the largest footrace in the world.

Before the races, organizers said about 160,000 registered for the event. An auditing firm will determine if the number of actual runners beat the record of 110,000.

The run was part of the global 10/10/10 event known as the “Global Work Party” for what organizers hoped was the world’s biggest day of climate change activism.

The second annual fund-raising event in Metro Manila was designed as a “fun run” instead of a marathon, and consisted of three races for registered runners—a 3K, 5K and 10K. Each race started at different points of the metropolis but ended at one finish line at Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

The event, organized by ABS-CBN’s Kapit Bisig Para Sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP), also included a ceremonial 21K run strictly for police and military personnel.

All ages

Runners of all ages and backgrounds gathered before dawn in front of the Manila Peninsula hotel (starting point for the 10K race).

The diversity of the crowds alone showed that using a sport to show support for the environment is something that everyone can relate to.

Some people came alone, others as couples, or with family. And many participants proudly ran in groups representing their school, corporation, the military, and civic, religious or community groups.

10K race hosts Manny Pacquiao, Piolo Pascual and Dyan Castillejo helped warm up the crowd during the prerace ceremony.

El Shaddai’s Brother Mike Velarde and the KBPIP’s Michel Chan hosted the 5K, while former President Fidel V. Ramos, Winnie Cordero and Pokwang hosted the 3K.

Pacquiao explained why he decided to spend his day off from training to help a cause he believes in deeply: “It is important because we have to take care of our environment and Mother Earth. This is why I support this run. We need to unite and clean the river. If we work together, we can do it.”

As the sun rose and Ramos signaled the start of the race with a gunshot, organized “clusters” of 2,000 colorfully dressed participants ran past the starting line one at a time.

Extra spring in step

They moved at all speeds—some walked, some sprinted but all seemed to have an extra spring in their steps. Many screamed in joy or chanted as they passed, excitedly waving their hands in the air, while others ran hand-in-hand.

Although they came from different backgrounds and ran for different reasons, they ended up singing the same song.

Mary Magtulis, one of the 50,000 El Shaddai members who joined the awareness effort, said she ran to help nature and to let the country know how special the Pasig River was. “This is our way of showing love for our country,” she said.

Nico Lolasco, a bank employee, said the run was a perfect event because it took advantage of the Filipinos’ natural desire for camaraderie.

While some were driven by the love of exercise, the steps of many others were powered solely by the thought of saving the river.

Clarisse Arabie, a nursing student, wanted to tell her generation that “it’s never too late.” “I live near the Pasig and whenever my mom says ‘she could swim there before,’ I want to experience that,” she said.

Toward the end of the race, many people slowed their pace, but their enthusiasm and drive to continue remained. A group of three female college students sang as they walked, then giggled as they shared their insights on their river and their country.

Nina Balayan, 18, explained how she felt before the race. “We need the river clean for our future, but especially for the next generation,” she said. “The efforts are helping but people need to be more disciplined, cooperative and need determination. Attitudes are changing but too slowly.”

After seeing tens of thousands of people join the event, however, Balayan was less skeptical. “The effort we see today gives us hope,” she said.

Evelyn Forbes, Run for the Pasig River executive, felt power was really in the hands of the Filipino people.

All of the projects to clean up the river since the KBPIP was launched in 2008 have been focused on Estero de Paco.

Gina Lopez, ABS-CBN Foundation director, reiterated the importance of cleaning the “esteros” before the river can be cleaned.

“First, you will have peace and order. If it looks nice, it means less crime. The economy will also benefit—if the waterway is clean, real estate value on both sides will be very high. And then health—the majority of the children from the esteros were malnourished and had respiratory problems. So, if we clean one estero well, I hope the others will follow,” she said.

Half of the money raised at this year’s race (about P10 million) will be used to clean up Estero de San Juan behind Malacañang.

The San Juan tributary will follow.

San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez expressed her happiness at the turnout.

“Before, our cleaning of the Pasig and San Juan area was a dream but now it’s turning into reality,” she said.

Thousands run for Pasig River - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

[sharkey360]

The so-called “Run for the Pasig River” last Sunday, October 10, has reportedly broken the old record set in 1986 by the “Bay to Breakers” race in San Francisco for the most number of participants.

The California event in the mid-1980s drew 110,000 participants, the most at the time, and that record number stood for a good 24 years before the Pasig marathon shattered that record with 116,086 runners.

As a running event, the organizers of the Pasig run deserve congratulations for setting a new world record. Everybody would perhaps agree that it is not easy to put up and manage such a huge undertaking involving that many people.

But that is only as far as the running event is concerned. As far as the supposed purpose of the marathon, which is to raise both funds and awareness for the rehabilitation of the nearly dead Pasig River, much doubt remains whether that objective had been met.

And that is because neither funds nor awareness, taken singly or together, will ever be enough to eventually save the Pasig River. Saving the Pasig needs real doing. Money and awareness alone, unless translated into action and sustaining it, will not do the job.

Real action is needed to change attitudes first before one even tries to get his feet wet in the river. Cleaning and rehabilitating only works for a while. It is stopping the pollution that should get the first crack if one is to ever realistically envision a resurrected waterway.

In fact, because the Pasig marathon was held on October 10, 2010 or 10/10/10, it becomes now doubtful whether the huge attendance was truly out of concern for the river, or simply to take part in an event happening on a day that the superstitious have called as extremely lucky.

Did the runners truly run out of genuine concern for the Pasig or simply because it felt nice to be part of an event happening on 10/10/10? If the record was set because of the latter, then the fate of that great river is truly doomed forever.

EDITORIAL - Pasig Run record: For the river, or for 10/10/10? | The Freeman >> The Freeman Sections >> Freeman Opinion

Funny the Freeman questioned the Pasig Run's purpose.

What about that over-rated Guinness record of Cebu having 7,000+ people dance in formation? Did those dancers do anything good like cleaning up the city or aid people in humanitarian missions? What good is the "dance capital of the world" title? Nothing!