PBA in relief mission to Bogo

BOGO CITY, Philippines – PBA chairman Ramon Segismundo and PBA commissioner Chito Salud led a visiting team that delivered relief goods to over a thousand homeless families in this northeast Cebu city, the other day, reaching out to more typhoon Yolanda victims in the pro league’s continuing crusade of hope.

Segismundo and Salud previously went to Tacloban on a similar mission with players L. A. Tenorio, Jimmy Alapag, Asi Taulava, Mark Caguioa and Danny Seigle. They brought along Arwind Santos, Willie Miller, Alex Cabagnot and Enrico Villanueva to Bogo City. Trips are in the works for the PBA to visit Eastern Samar, Iloilo and Ormoc in the next few weeks.

“We are one with our nation,” said Segismundo echoing the PBA season’s theme of “One PBA, One Philippines, One Nation.” “We are giving back to PBA fans, bringing hope to those who were affected by Yolanda.” Salud said the PBA has played several games in the Convention Center in Tacloban City, now a roofless shell of what it once was. In 2005, the PBA staged a game between Alaska and Coca-Cola at the Don Celestino Martinez Coliseum in Bogo City. Today, the coliseum is in a shambles, its roof blown away and the wooden hardcourt warped out of use.

The PBA group was joined here by actress Shaina Magdayao whose father is from Bogo and Excite Events chief operating officer Izel Argana. PBA media bureau chief Willy Marcial, PBA accounting manager Odessa Encarnacion, PBA business development manager Rhose Montreal and PBA inter-department secretary Michelle Flores were also in the team. A TV5 crew led by Renz Ongkiko arrived to report on the visit.

Relief goods from the PBA and Excite Events were sent here ahead through coordinator Andrew Teh. It was estimated that the relief goods of rice, noodles, bottled water, medicine, blankets, towels, gauze pads, hygiene kits, toiletries, soap, canned food and clothing would benefit over a thousand families. Additionally, the PBA donated sets of basketball goals and Molten basketballs.

Bogo City Mayor Celestino (Junie) Martinez Jr., his son Carlo and provincial board member Yayoy Alcoseba welcomed the PBA group that visited homeless families in barangays Polambato, Sto. Rosario and Gairan. The commercial hub of north Cebu with two piers is the birthplace of the late world boxing champion Flash Elorde and 10-year PBA veteran Junthy Valenzuela.

Martinez estimated damage to property and commerce to be P700 Million. “About 18,000 families were affected,” he said. “The casualty count is 13 dead, seven on-the-spot when the typhoon hit us. We evacuated about 2,000 people and brought them to the coliseum to sit out the storm which came at about 9 in the morning and winds of 316 kilometers per hour lasted until before 1 p.m. Nearly all the multi-purpose gyms in our city were wrecked. About 10,000 homes suffered major damage. Pedicabs were blown away from the streets.”

Rescue came almost immediately to Bogo City which is composed of 29 barangays. The Cebu provincial government allocated a budget of P2.6 Million and Cebu City donated P500,000. Malabon, which picked Bogo City as a beneficiary in a lottery conducted by the League of Cities, provided P2 Million and relief goods. Bukidnon pitched in with P50,000. Neighboring power cooperatives worked together to restore partial electricity in the city within three weeks of the storm.

The spirit of bayanihan was evident in the unifying efforts to bring back normalcy in the city. “Israel sent doctors over and help came from Korea, Germany, Australia, France and Myanmar,” said Martinez. “Mr. Hans Sy of SM visited and was at the groundbreaking of a 1.1 hectare property donated by the Fernan family for SM Cares to build 200 homes. We mobilized people to clean up debris in cash-for-work and food-for-work programs. Our City Hall was badly damaged but our work continues.”

There were big plans to transform Bogo City into a major business capital with 43 hectares set aside for an export processing zone and 10 hectares for a Robinson’s mall. The coliseum was to undergo an upgrade so it could be a regular facility for PBA games. While the plans are now on hold, Martinez said he’s optimistic the situation will stabilize and the city will rise again.

Santos, Miller, Cabagnot and Villanueva were mobbed by Bogo City fans like rock stars. They brought smiles, hope and inspiration. “We’re here to support you,” said Santos, the PBA’s reigning MVP. Miller, who went around the Barangay Polambato multi-purpose gym shaking hands, slapping high fives and posing for pictures, promised to visit again. The gym’s metal trusses were twisted beyond repair and the roof was gone. “I slept about three hours before getting up at 4 a.m. to be at the airport for our flight,” said Miller. “I didn’t mind. I’d do it all over again to show we care.” The PBA group took the 7 a.m. PAL flight to Cebu, traveled to Bogo City by land 4 1/2 hours both ways and boarded the 7:45 p.m. PAL flight back to Manila that night. The trip was exhausting but nobody complained.

Argana said Excite Events has now distributed over 20,000 relief packs. Excite Events CEO Gelo Serrano recently organized a charity basketball game featuring PBA players and showbiz celebrities to raise funds for Yolanda victims. Excite Events specializes in creative brand marketing and has staged the Milo Marathon and several events for Smart and Ginebra San Miguel, among others. Argana invited Shaina, sister of Vina Morales, to join the group because of her roots in Bogo City.