IF James Yap has a soft spot for the poor, it's because he can relate to their plight.
“Laging sinasabi ni kuya na hangga’t kaya niya, tumutulong siya, kasi ayaw niyang matulad yung iba sa hirap na pinagdaanan niya dati,” the two-time PBA MVP's younger sister Kathleen told Spin.ph.
“So si Kuya James, sa tuwing umuuwi yan, akala mo laging galing abroad. Kasi yung mga sapatos niya, damit, at iba pang gamit, kahit bago pa pinamimigay niya sa may amin,” shared the 24-year-old.
“Pag bakasyon, nagpapadala si kuya para suportahan yung uniform ng team nung mga bata sa liga sa amin.”
Kathleen spoke as she accompanied Yap on Saturday at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, where the San Mig star personally handed a donation to the hospital's Cancer and Hematology ward.
The PCMC is just the latest institution that Yap supports.
“Matagal na pong sinusuportahan ng PBA ang PCMC, tapos nakita ko yung mga batang may sakit na cancer,” said Yap. “Nalungkot po ako na makitang at a young age nila na 'yun ganun ang sakit nila."
Here's a video of Yap's visit to the hospital:
Yap, now considered the face of the pro league, said he knows how it is to not have basic necessities.
“Alam ko yung feeling ng walang wala ka,” said Yap. “At alam ko rin ang pakiramdam ng may kailangan ka kunwari na gamit pero hiyang-hiya kang humingi o manghiram, alam mo yun?”
Growing up in Escalante, Negros Occidental, Yap said he would rely on "foreign aide" - the term he used for packages sent by relatives based overseas - to have decent shoes and basketball gear.
“Siguro mga once a year lang ako nakakatikim ng orig at branded na gamit nuon,” he said. “Mumurahin lang sapatos ko na kayang bilin ng mom ko noon, kaya ingat na ingat ako kasi pag nasira wala na akong gagamitin."
He added: “Noong araw kasi alam ko yung masarap na pakiramdam pag may tumulong at nagbigay sa iyo ng gift, kaya gusto ko ring ipadama sa iba yun."
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