A man who runs barefooted, not just for himself, but also for his advocacy. Let’s get to know the barefooted “Pajama Runner” of Cordova!

Who Is Francis Mendres?

He wore the outfit of Andres Bonifacio during the Independence Day Run in Cebu this year, and he even had a partner with a Dr. Jose Rizal costume running alongside him. However, outside of being a renowned costumed runner, Francis Mendres is also a loving father and husband and a resident of Cordova who advocates for cancer and mental health awareness. Why? Well, because of a sudden change in his life.

Plot Twist: Take Care of Your Health

When we called Francis for the interview, he was ecstatic to accept it and shared how much he longed to have a platform to share the importance of taking care of one’s health, especially in time for Philippine Nutrition Month.

Turns out, Francis’s peaceful life in his hometown shot a plot twist when his health began to decline. Dealing with severe and recurring acid reflux, and sooner paired with high-blood pressure, he found himself in an anxiety-inducing situation. To make matters worse, his wife was diagnosed with cancer and experiencing a postpartum disorder, plunging their lives into an even greater challenge.

However, with their unwavering faith, Francis and his family chose to surrender to God and reconnect with nature to pave their lives towards healing. They started with a shift in dietary habits which involved reducing their reliance on the typical Filipino rice-heavy diet, opting instead for meals rich in greens and wholesome ingredients.

Through these dietary adjustments, Francis not only witnessed a remarkable improvement in his own health but also ensured his family embraced a healthier lifestyle. This shift was particularly important in supporting his wife and children.

Today, Francis continues to advocate for the transformative power of nature and balanced nutrition, proving that sometimes, the simplest changes can lead to big improvements in health and overall well-being.

“Di ka kailangan mugasto ug dako, kana ra gung mga barato or in-season nga mga gulay, pwede na na,” he said adding to it the value of also consulting with vegans and vegetarians. Although Francis is not on a full veggie diet, he did emphasize on the difference in his body and mind when he eats greens. 

The Barefooted Runner’s Journey to becoming the “Pajama Runner”

To begin choosing to be more active and healthier, you don’t need expensive gears; you just need to know yourself and that’s more than enough, believed Francis as he began his journey as a suki sa runs in Cebu.

He did not possess any expensive running shoes nor did he own pricey sports athleisure; instead, Francis let his feet hit the pavement bare and wore a pair of pajamas.

Although it looks fun, he admitted that it was beyond just wearing something out-of-the-ordinary. When we asked why, he said

“…Di man ko maka-feel sa cancer niya, pero pina-agi sa pagtiniil ug pagdagan, ma-inspire unta nako siya nga makaya rajud.”

On his Facebook page, Francis is seen wearing a pair of Doraemon pajamas. But, just like how important it is for him to run barefooted, there is also a reason behind this choice of clothing, “Ang pajama kay pangkatog. Sa time nga nagsugod kog dagan, mao sab to around ana nga time nga na-diagnose akong wife; and, wa siyay tarung tulog sukad ato.” Those life-changing moments became Francis’s reason for him to wear pajamas in his runs; as it shows that he is embracing the sleepless nights and challenging days that he and his family have encountered because of cancer.

Amidst his busy schedule at work, his sidelines, and the weekly runs he registered for, he still emphasized the significance of keeping up with his advocacy towards cancer awareness, not only for his wife but also for everyone who’s in the same situation as him. According to Francis, he holds on to this verse of faith,

Future Plans of the Barefooted “Pajama Runner”

The farthest that the Pajama Runner was able to run was 32K, which is only 10 KM less than a full run. And he completed that barefooted as well!

For Francis, he makes sure to listen to his body when doing his runs, so, for this year, he plans on slowly easing himself towards completing a full run by 2025, “Apil na sa akong plans pero hinay-hinay lang sa. Nya puhon kay muapil na kog ultra marathon.”

We also asked Francis what he can suggest to those aspiring to take on the same barefooted path as him and he shared the value of staying active, going out, and getting some needed sun. “Sa generation karun, murag nabalewala ang sports tungod sa social media, tungod sa laag laag, mao nang prone na kaayo ta sa anxiety ug mental health issues,” said Francis. He also added,

Francis is one of the inspiring individuals whom we want to tell the story of. He is proof that having a passion and advocacy is more than enough to try out new hobbies; and even better if you’re making yourself healthier and more well-rounded as a result of it.

Know of any inspiring Sugbaonons? Send us their stories and let’s get to know them!