Thoughts Away From The Game: My First SOP

People often think that charity work or outreach programs are done only by people who either do it to reduce their taxes to pay to the government and older people who want to give back to the community as part of community service. We teenagers aged between 14-16 can make a difference to less fortunate people through the Saturday Outreach Program, more commonly known as SOP. 

After 2 consecutive absences due to basketball games, today I finally had my chance to interact with the victims of human trafficking from the Visayan Forum. Today, we didn't go to their Antipolo safehouse but rather we went to a subdivision beside it, Beverly Hills if I'm not mistaken (by the way, our Coach and one of our assistant coaches live there) and treated them to a day filled with sports. Our day started with some teambuilding games courtesy of Mr. Aragon. These games tried to strengthen the bond between the Xavier students and the girls from the Visayan Forum. These games needed communication from both sides for it to be successful. 

I noticed that the girls were more open and active. Based from what I have heard from the previous SOPs, they were very shy and were very hard to persuade to join the different activities but through sports, it bridged the cap between both sides. You could see the joy and excitement in the eyes and the way these girls reacted. Its good to be able to give them joy and happiness as they have been through a lot. It is good to know that we can and we were used as instruments by God to show his love and reach out to these victims. 

The second part of our SOP was a Sports Clinic. There were 4 different sports that the girls could choose from namely basketball, volleyball, badminton, and frisbee. I was assigned to handle the basketball clinic. I just showed them some of the basic fundamentals such as passing, dribbling, and shooting. To me, I didn't accomplish a lot since we only had one rubber basketball plus the net on the ring was very small thus I had to keep jumping to get the ball. 

Through this exercise, I could see how sports, namely basketball, bridges the gap between people who don't even know each other. Very similar to the Basketball Without Borders Asia program I joined in Singapore last year, it showed me that basketball is a universal sport enjoyed by many. Different genders, ages, backgrounds enjoy shooting the ball in the hoop, hearing the bounce of the ball, and the swish of the net. 

I find importance, personal satisfaction, and joy with this program. As my CLE teacher Mr. Chris King De la Cruz would say, "tungkulin ko maging makipag-kapwa tao." God has blessed me with a loving family, an opportunity to study in a good school, the company of good friends, my talents, and countless blessings. Giving up 3 hours of my Saturday for Him since as the Bible says, whatever you do unto others, you do unto me, is just peanuts to what he does for us. He is there 24/7 guiding us and returning the favor is no biggie. I hope I have the opportunity to be able to have more activities such as these and to hopefully attain the nirvana state of goodness.

A Man on a Mission, trying to help the community.

Other notes:

 Please eat before you go to your SOP. You don't want to barf on the way back. LOL.  

One Year Anniversary: 09.12.10

A year ago on this very day, on the brink of losing the championship because of my bad play, I looked up in the sky and talked to God. "Thy will be done", the words I uttered patiently while warming my behind on the bench. I am thankful that Coach Owen gave me another chance in overtime to play despite my horrendous game. At first, I felt embarrassed since I felt I let my team down and but coming to think of it, its God's way of giving me vindication and redemption. 

After nailing to those two shots, it felt like the weight on my shoulders just disappeared as I run down the court with my arms spread out wide just like the Jet. Time running down, the anxiety, the hardships and the fatigue all gone, and once the buzzer sounded, its the greatest feeling in the world. That feeling is can't be described with any verb or adjective. 

To this day, that is my most memorable game. Even if I played atrociously in the start, it goes to show that God truly has a purpose for us. Its not how we start but how we finish. All those hours spent in the basketball court running suicides, all the time spent shooting free throws, all the sweat and tears are just distant memories of our past. For the entire year, we were champions. 

How has that game changed my perception of life? It has motivated me to become a better basketball person and a better student in school. Although I don't seem like a honest nerd who studies day and night, I do my best, hopefully. It has challenged me to be more positive. As a great emperor once said, "This too shall pass". Lastly, it has deepen my faith on God. "Challenges are what makes life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful", Joshua J. Marine once said. God has a plan and purpose for each and every one of us. We just have to seek his guidance and its His will that will be done. 

A message for the Passerelle boys who will play in arguably the biggest game of their lives. Just think positive and play your game. Don't let the crowd rattle you. You have to play the game with ice in your veins and be calm. Lastly, seek the guidance from above and it is through him all of us succeed!