JARO, Iloilo—Residents from Barangay Tabuc Suba were given the surprise of a lifetime during the official unveiling of their community’s first real basketball court.
Attending what initially seemed like a normal inauguration, the locals were delighted when they discovered that their very own court would be turned over to them by none other than PBA legends Alvin Patrimonio and Jojo Lastimosa, three weeks after volunteer residents started constructing the community facility. The event was supposed to be highlighted by a friendly game between Patrimonio’s and Lastimosa’s squad and that of the locals’(but the sudden heavy and lingering downpour caused the cancellation), as part of Galing Mo, Iloilo, Alaxan FR's campaign to honor the people who have worked hard for their own communities.
"Akala ko nung una ordinaryong opening ceremony lang. Hindi ko inaasahan na andito pala sina Alvin Patrimonio at Jojo Lastimosa! (I thought we were just attending an ordinary opening ceremony. I wasn’t expecting Alvin Patrimonio and Jojo Lastimosa to be here!)" said local volunteer Mang Ricardo, visibly unable to hide his excitement.
Mang Ricardo was just one of the many residents who devoted long hours of volunteer work for the completion of the basketball court, dubbed the "Court of Inspiration." The project was constructed by local volunteers under the guidance of Alaxan FR.
For the community, by the community
The Court of Inspiration stems from Alaxan FR’s advocacy of changing the negative perception of body pain. They transformed it into a source of pride, a proof of the hard work rendered for the community. Building on the social and cultural significance of basketball courts in the Philippines, the campaign tapped local volunteers to construct this indispensable facility for their village. To take things even further, the locals filled the court with Legend Markers—motivational messages conveying accomplishments and legacies of basketball legends put in different places all over the court to inspire people to push themselves to greatness.
Now, locals take pride in the body pain that come with hard work, having constructed something that greatly benefits their community.
"Malaki ang aming pasasalamat at napili ang barangay namin para sa proyektong ‘to," adds Barangay Captain Victorio Rejaba, who led his community of volunteers. "Masarap ang pakiramdam na may nagawang kapaki-pakinabang para dito sa barangay namin" (We’re really thankful that our barangay was chosen for this project... it feels good to do something useful for the community), citing the wonders that can be achieved by pushing oneself and working together with others for a common goal.
Barangay Tabuc Suba is just one of the places chosen for the construction of Courts of Inspiration. Aside from Iloilo, the advocacy is expected to break ground in Dumaguete, Bacolod, Tacloban, Zamboanga, Butuan, Cebu, Davao, Sarangani, and Butuan.
Galing Mo, Iloilo
PBA legends Alvin Patrimonio and Jojo Lastimoso are just as inspired by the same people they inspire with their accomplishments. "Nakakasigla yung enthusiasm na makikita mo dito sa mga voluneers dito" he says, commending all the hard work that the locals have rendered in the service of the community. "Talagang gusto nilang tumulong" (The volunteers’ enthusiasm was very inspiring... They really want to help out).
Like most of the volunteers that came to help, Alvin Patrimonio started playing in neighborhood courts similar to what the locals have constructed. He attributes his success to decades of hard work, unafraid of the pain that comes with pushing oneself beyond limits. Sharing in Alaxan FR's advocacy, he believes that pain, should be treated as a badge of honor--a testament to the hard work required for success.
"Proud ako sa galing ng taga Barangay Tabuc Suba, dahil naipakita nila na nasa kanila ang mga katangian para maging kampeon," he reveals. "Sa totoo lang, hindi ako magtataka kung dito manggaling yung susunod na PBA legend." (I’m proud of the residents of Brgy. Tabuc Suba, for they have shown that they possess the values that make a champion... Honestly, I won’t be surprised if they produce the next PBA legend.)
Similar to how Alvin Patrimonio and Jojo Lastimosa inspire others by pushing themselves beyond their limits to achieve greatness, the residents of Barangay Tabuc Suba have inspired their community to aim for excellence through the construction of the Court of Inspiration. If there’s one thing that both the legends and the locals have demonstrated, it is the fact that there is indeed, pride in pain./PR