More Than a Team: Philip Abellana and How T2 Became His Second Family

What started as a way to add cardio to his routine became a life-changing journey for Philip Abellana, leading him from his first 8K to multiple marathons with Team To End AIDS (T2). Along the way, he found not only a passion for running, but also a supportive community that stood by him through one of the most difficult periods of his life. Through racing and fundraising, Philip discovered that T2 is more than a team, it's a family dedicated to ensuring that no one faces HIV alone. This year, Philip is once again taking on the Bank of America Chicago Marathon to raise money for T2.

Philip Abellana’s running journey started gradually, driven by a desire to add more cardio to his fitness routine. Having grown up with asthma, he was initially hesitant and began with just 30–45 minutes on the treadmill in 2011. Around the same time, he started dating someone who was a runner and wanted to challenge himself to run more so they could share the experience together.

As his confidence grew, Philip slowly increased his mileage. In 2012, he and his boyfriend signed up for the Shamrock Shuffle. The 8K distance made him nervous, but the race sparked something unexpected—he immediately fell in love with racing and with the experience of training and competing alongside his partner.

After the Shamrock Shuffle, the two continued setting new goals together, taking on races like the Soldier Field 10 Mile and the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon. Their running journey eventually led them to the St. Louis Marathon in 2014, where Philip completed his first marathon.

For Philip, there are two moments in a marathon training cycle that he looks forward to most.

The first is the beginning of the training block. Despite the commitment and time a marathon requires, he’s always excited to get back into a routine, reconnect with his teammates and fellow charity runners, and see the running community come alive on the lakefront path. For Philip, there’s something special about knowing that thousands of runners are taking on the same challenge, regardless of their pace or goal time.

His second favorite moment is the 20-mile long run. While many runners approach it with nerves, Philip embraces it as a chance to see how far he’s come. Even after more than a decade of running, he continues to learn and improve, and reaching that milestone run is a reminder of that growth. When a 20-miler doesn’t go as planned, he thinks back to his very first one and remembers the confidence it gave him. Crossing the finish line that day, he realized that if he could complete 20 miles, he would be ready for race day.

Like every runner, Philip experiences tough days during training. What keeps him motivated is his team, Team To End AIDS (T2). T2's mission is to improve the lives of people living with, or vulnerable to, HIV/AIDS by raising critical funds that support the programs of the AIDS Foundation Chicago. The team also works to raise awareness, reduce stigma, empower participants, and encourage action toward creating health equity across Chicagoland.

On the hardest training days, Philip reminds himself why he’s running. He thinks about the lives lost during the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, the people who continue to face discrimination because they are HIV-positive, and those who still struggle to access the care and support they need. For Philip, marathon training is about more than crossing a finish line. He isn’t just running for himself, he’s running for a cause and for people who can’t.

Philip decided to run for a charity at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in 2015. When it came time to choose an organization, the decision was easy because the cause was deeply personal.

After immigrating to the United States from the Philippines more than 20 years ago, Philip struggled with the stigmas surrounding HIV/AIDS. Growing up Catholic, he felt nervous about coming out and discussing topics related to HIV. However, after moving to the U.S., he met someone living with HIV and used the opportunity to approach the subject with an open mind and educate himself. Through that friendship, he gained a deeper understanding of the disease and the challenges faced by those living with it.

When Philip decided to run for a charity in 2015, a friend introduced him to Coach Joy Miles of Team To End AIDS (T2), and he immediately knew the charity he would run for.

Twelve years later, Philip remains a dedicated member of T2, representing the team at events including the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, New York City Marathon, Tokyo Marathon, Berlin Marathon, and the Chicago Triathlon. Through his involvement with T2, Philip has not only raised funds and awareness but has also continued to learn about HIV and the communities affected by it, an experience for which he is forever grateful.

During his first Bank of America Chicago Marathon with T2, Philip remembers spending race day at T2’s charity village tent with the whole team. Everyone was super friendly and welcoming. Christina (affectionately known as the ‘Mommager’) made sure Philip was well prepared for race day, and the entire T2 community created a calm, encouraging atmosphere that put the team at ease from start to finish.

One of the most memorable—and undoubtedly most difficult—races Philip has ever run was the 2017 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Just two weeks before race day, his mother suffered an unexpected aneurysm and was in the ICU fighting for her life. Unsure if he could continue training while coping with the uncertainty surrounding her condition, Philip leaned on the support of his teammates.

At the final long run of the training cycle, Philip was met with hugs, encouragement, and unwavering support from his T2 teammates. They signed a card for his mother and reminded him that she would want him to keep going. In that moment, Philip realized that T2 was more than just a team, it was a second family.

Philip went on to run the marathon, and when he crossed the finish line, his teammates were there waiting for him with hugs and words of encouragement. Sadly, his mother passed away the day after the race, beginning what would be a difficult year. Through it all, his T2 family stood by his side during one of the hardest periods of his life. Their support left a lasting impact, and it is something Philip says he will always be grateful for.

This year, Philip is once again taking on the Bank of America Chicago Marathon with T2. Along with raising money, his goal is to beat his PR of 3:32:47. He is excited to represent T2 and continue the educate people about HIV and spread awareness and fight for those that can’t. 

When asked what he wishes more people knew about T2, Philip emphasized that HIV doesn't just affect one community, it affects everyone. For him, T2's presence on race day is about much more than running. When team members wear their singlets, they serve as a visible reminder that there is a place for everyone, even when someone may feel isolated or unsupported.

Philip says T2 wants people to know that they are not alone. From the moment someone is diagnosed with HIV, T2 is there to provide support them nd help ensure they receive the care and resources they deserve. Through its community, T2 strives to let people know that there is always someone in their corner, ready to stand with them and fight for them.

Support T2 in-store at all Fleet Feet Chicago locations throughout the month of June.