FOR Philippine basketball's most famous 'bai', June Mar Fajardo, no insult can offend him. Especially when his intentions are pure.
In a day and age where the phrase 'bai na bai' has become a derogatory term on social media, Fajardo chooses to see the good.
"Ako nga, iyun talaga ang tawag sa 'kin, kasi sa amin, 'kaibigan' ang ibig sabihin nun," the 6-foot-10 San Miguel star told SPIN Life after winning an 11th Best Player of the Conference award on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
READ June Mar Fajardo wins 11th BPC award; RHJ is Best Import
He added: "Hindi dapat ma-offend basta alam mo sa sarili mo na wala ka namang tinatapakang tao. Basta nakakatulog ka nang mahimbing sa tanghali at lalo na sa gabi."
The Compostela, Cebu-born has embraced the nickname 'abai' for the longest time in his storied career. And he's encouraging his fellow Visayans to do so.
"Sa mga kapwa ko bisaya, lagi lang natin gawin best natin, lahat tayo may pangarap, wag tayo maghhate sa iba at magpapa-apekto, di natin alam ang pinagdadaanan nila para sa mga sarili din nilang pangarap," the Pinamungajan native said.
Soft-spoken in nature, Fajardo admitted that the concrete jungle of Manila still scares him to this day, but being afraid is no barrier to chasing his dreams.
"Oo natakot ako dati, hanggang ngayon, hindi mawawala 'yun pero dapat magkaroon ng tiwala sa sarili para magtuloy para sa pangarap mo," he said. "Dati, nangangarap lang din ako, tapos ngayon, andito na 'ko."
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