SPORTS can truly bring a positive impact on someone’s life, especially to the younger generation, and this is what the Laura Vicuna Foundation, the Embassy of Israel in the Philippines and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas are imparting to some unfortunate children.
The Laura Vicuna Foundation, Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss and the SBP organized a basketball clinic for girls yesterday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Gilas Pilipinas cagers Afril Bernardino, Tantoy Ferrer, Mikka Cacho, Chack Cabincin, and Kaye Pingol led the basketball clinic, teaching them the basics of the sport.
“We actually partnered with the SBP in order to — you know, sports is one of those ways to build people mentally, of course, physically, it’s very healthy, so we joined the SBP in order to have a basketball clinic and to get them out of the girls’ center, to break their daily routine. And I think this will empower the girls and give them more tools for the future. And this is what we’re trying to do in the last four years,” Ambassador Fluss told reporters.
“Basketball is for everybody and you have Gilas Pilipinas, a very well-known and respected team… I think basketball is one of those things and sports are one of those things that unite us as a people and can really– it’s a social thing, it’s a part of our culture these days, so I think it’s a very good thing for the youth.
Especially girls in such a shelter with previous experiences that they had as girls, I think this is something which will benefit them a lot.”
Laura Vicuna Foundation managing director Sister Marivic Sta. Ana expressed her gratitude to the Embassy and the SBP for laying out a good example of what sports can bring to an individual and showing children that they can have a bright future if given an opportunity.
The organization, which was built in 1990, is a home for children in need of protection and a place for healing and recovery from abuse and ill-treatment.
“Natutuwa kami kasi, on our own, hindi naman namin madala iyong mga bata sa Gilas, mga players natin so, karangalan po sa amin and masayang-masaya po kami para sa mga bata.” Sta. Ana said.
“Para sa mga bata, makikita nila na lahat-lahat posible basta mabigyan lang sila ng oportunidad kasi ang kailangan lang ng mga bata, chances. So, ang dinidikdik po namin sa kanila iyong magkaroon sila ng pag-asa. So, pag makita nila iyong mga Gilas girls, para sa kanila, hindi pala imposible basta basta pag nagsikap lang sila, pag talagang nangarap pwede nilang abutin.”
Bernardino was emotionally moved by the activity they had with the girls.
“Actually, parang itong part na ito ibang iyong feeling na parang ang hirap pero kailangan namin silang pasayahin, turuan kung ano iyong passion namin but parang ito, iba na iyong tuturuan namin sila, especially, kailangan namin silang pasayahin kasi para sa akin sobrang personal nung makita silang masaya na gagawa nila iyong gusto nilang gawin,” the Gilas veteran said.
“Of course, malaking part sa akin na mai-share sa kanila iyong experience ko na ituro ko sa kanila, kahit basics lang, and yeah, siguro malaking impact din sakin and para rin sa personal ko na may matutunan din ako from them,” Bernardino said.
