MANILA, Philippines - Bilang pagdiriwang ng kapaskuhan, minabuti ng Barangay Ginebra, kabilang ang iba pang manlalaro ng Philippine Basketball Association na tumulong sa mahigit 300 bata at mga magulang ng Gawad Kalinga Community sa Barangay Nangka, Marikina City.
Sa pamumuno ni PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios, nilunsad ng liga ang kanilang outreach program sa naturang komunidad upang mamahagi ng mga aginaldo.
Ang ilan sa mga lumahok sa nasabing event ay sina Kings team manager Samboy Lim kasama sina Ronald Tubid, Rico Villanueva, Mark Caguioa at Jayjay Helterbrand.
Sumali rin sina Rain Or Shine stalwart Gabe Norwood at Sol Mercado, Richard at Mark Yeeng Burger king, Jimmy Alapag, Ali Peek at Jared Dillinger ng Talk N’ Text.
Isang mainit na pagtanggap naman ang sinalubong ng napiling barangay sa pagda-ting ng PBA.
“The PBA family is truly thankful to the fans. They’re the reason why the league has remained strong through all these years. And this outreach program is our own little way of giving back to the community,” masayang pahayag ni Barrios.
“These children look up to the players as heroes and models so I also want to thank them for finding time to be here and help spread our goal. We in the PBA not only promote the game of basketball, but we also promote wellness and clean environment through our outreach program,” dagdag pa nito.
“Today we are promoting education – particularly reading. Hopefully, our efforts will somehow inspire these children and make them realize the value of education.”
Nagdonate din ang PBA contingent ng school supplies, backpacks, rubber balls, vitamins (Fern C) at 700 pairs ng rubber shoes mula sa Islander.
Hinikayat din ni Barrios ang mga matatanda lalo na yung mga pamilyang naapektuhan ng bagyong ‘Ondoy’ na maging matatag, malakas at huwag bibitiw at maging handa sa mga darating pang kalamidad. (Sarie Nerine Francisco)