MANILA, Philippines - As good as they are in shooting the ball and scoring points, members of the Smart Gilas basketball team also delivered timely assist to public elementary schoolchildren and, in the process, became the students’ champions in the game of life.
Before they left for Doha, Qatar to compete in the 21st FIBA Asia Champions Cup, the Philippine National Developmental Squad took time out to tutor students of Marcela Marcelo Elementary School. They joined employee-volunteers of Smart Communications, Inc. in conducting “Read to be Smart,” an annual summer learning program aimed at improving reading skills of Grades 1 to 3 public school children nationwide. The program also encourages the community to get involved in the children’s education.
The fifth of this year’s seven Saturday sessions fielded the star cagers in both the reading classes and the feeding program. After a short opening ceremony, the players proceeded to their assigned classrooms where they guided students through their reading lessons and exercises. Afterwards, they helped serve lunch for the children.
“A lot of them are really poor in reading,” observes forward Magi King Sison who has a degree in education. “I am a teacher so this is a good opportunity for me to encourage them to study well.”
The session also included singing, solving word puzzles and coloring exercises. “It was fun. It brought back fond memories of our youth,” relates center Rabeh Al-Hussaini, whose energy and playfulness endeared him to the children.
Even Serbian import Milan Vucicevic had a great time. Despite the language barrier, he was able to reach out to the children. “A smile is a universal expression. They smile at me, I smile back, and soon we are smiling at each other and they know that we are there to help them.”
The children immediately warmed to their tall mentors. Ten-year-old Mariecon Guinia said that she learned a lot from them. Asked if their new “teachers” were good, six-year-old students Rheabel Galigo, Jazel Garcines and Julie Ann Verba smiled and nodded vigorously.
“It’s very touching. It’s not every day you get to teach kids who really need help, so it feels good to be able to do this,” says Rafael Joey Q. Jazul, Jr., the team’s point guard.
“It’s good to be part of this program,” adds guard Jayvee Casio. “It’s one way of giving back to the community and sharing what you have in life.”
The Smart Gilas Philippine training pool also includes Dylan Ababou, Japeth Aguilar, Jason Ballesteros, Mac Baracael, Andy Barroca, JR Cawaling, Rey Guevarra, Marcio Lassiter, Aldrech Ramos, Greg Slaughter, and Chris Tiu.
Ultimately, Smart envisions communities to become self-sufficient. For the program, breakfast and lunch are prepared, cooked, and served by the students’ parents as a show of support.
On behalf of the 80 pupils, school principal Emily Tolentino thanked Smart, its employee-volunteers, and the Smart Gilas team members.
“These children are also in a game and we are their cheer leaders. If they lose this game, it’s for the rest of their lives,” remarks Smart Public Affairs senior manager Darwin Flores.
Read to be Smart is part of the telecommunication company’s Kabalikat corporate social responsibility and community service program.