A human crisis

There are no words to describe the breadth and comprehensiveness of the devastation brought about by typhoon Yolanda, specifically to our brothers and sisters in the Visayas. For the most part, people think that sports should be the last thing on our minds in times like these, particularly since 10 percent of our population faces an uncertain future. They cannot see where they will be within the next few days, and most have developed an “anywhere but here” desperation borne out of their trauma.

It is heartening to note that the sports community is putting its formidable muscle behind relief efforts. From the NBA and NBA Players Association’s donations of $250,000 each to pertinent charitable organizations to Top Rank Promotions’ and the PBA’s assistance of P 1 million each for relief efforts, we are hoping this will start a super typhoon of aid to the stricken. Those who can help, from Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra to Globalport team owner Mikee Romero to individual players and school team and athletes have thrown their support into the hat, whether in terms of resources or physically helping repack relief goods.

Overseas, a storm of aid has been flooding in from Filipino communities abroad. Retired PBA All-Star Ricardo Brown sent this writer an encouraging message from the US.

“I am working closely with our Filipino-American group here in Southern California to put on a Benefit Concert to help our fellow Filipinos in great need from the typhoon,” Brown told The STAR. “We will be soliciting monetary donations and it will be important to all to know that the money will be used specifically for those in need. Do you have a specific organization that we could possibly extend these donations to? There are so many stories of money being siphoned to those not intended... and that can not happen.”

This writer recommended the Philippine National Red Cross and ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya. Brown, who has actually offered to leave his security of tenure in the American educational system if he were offered a proper coaching job in the Philippines, feels the urgency to help.

“We can’t make this happen until Saturday, Nov. 30,” says the anxious one-time PBA MVP. “I know it’s a bit late, but in order to make this work the right way, we need some more time. Unfortunately, the “red tape of bureaucracy” needs to be dealt with – Grrrr!  Anyway, we’ll do whatever we can. I mean this when I say it, if I could strap my boots on NOW and be on the ground helping, I’d be there in a heart beat.”

Though the adversity we face on the playing field is in no way comparable to what is happening in the Visayas, it still introduces us to ourselves, and makes us aware of what kind of persons we are. Are we selfish and think only of ourselves, or do we reach out knowing we can make each other better? Do we give from our excess or from our substance? Do we keep others at arm’s length when they need us, fearing we will be taken advantage of?

When we play, are we committed to the team whose colors we wear, or are we in it for self-aggrandizement? That seems to be a common theme when government’s help is the topic of conversation. Do we seek solutions or hunt for people to blame? Do we sit back from the safe confines of our homes and point fingers, or do we roll up our sleeves and break into a heavy sweat by helping? And whatever our answers, can it help us look ourselves in the mirror?

This is a vast human crisis that will not have an immediate solution. Even when people are assured that they can be fed, housed and clothed, there will still be scars and deep emotional wounds. Displacement and loss are never easy to overcome. Luckily, many of us in sports have received coaching, or teach how to build teams and communities. We are trained how to mentally steel ourselves against threats to our success and security, and perhaps this will be our greatest long-term value to our afflicted countrymen.

Let us lend each other our strength and our hopefulness, not just with overcoming problems of today, but in learning how to cope with the trauma and challenges of rebuilding our lives. Our coaches and athletes are trained warriors who have an underestimated ability to deal with adversity. Let us teach this to our fallen countrymen. We have learned in the safe environment of the playing field how to keep getting up when we are knocked down. God knows we need to share that resiliency with those who do not yet know how. We can feed their bellies today, but let us empower their spirits for facing tomorrow.

We are Filipino. No storm can defeat us.