EARLY in their lives, both Scottie Thompson and Jayson Castro relied on helping hands to guide them to become the PBA stars that they are today.
Now, it’s their turn to give back.
Knowing full well how helping aspiring young athletes could go a long way, Thompson, Castro, and Filipino-Ivorian Olympian Maxine Esteban have found an ally in 1Pacman Partylist in their bid to support potential stars of Philippine sports.
“They're into sports. Alam natin, sa Pilipinas, sobrang need natin ng support sa sports, not just basketball, not just Gilas but all kinds of sports na talagang tutulungan natin para umunlad,” Thompson said of 1Pacman led by Capita1 co-owner and partylist first nominee Milka Romero
Launchpad for future sports stars
The Barangay Ginebra guard, like 1Pacman, has advocated helping the youth especially in less privileged areas just like what Esteban did in getting the support of Romero in helping athletes from Olongapo who took part in last year’s Batang Pinoy.
“I think kasama na sa generation natin ngayon, alam naman natin na as long as tumutulong and as long as doing the right way, yung intentions nila maganda para sa sports so truly blessed yung mga athletes na may mga ganun, tumutulong para sa amin,” added the one-time PBA MVP.
For Castro’s part, helping and supporting young athletes is an advocacy very close to his heart. For one, he was once at the receiving end of those help and guidance, particularly from incumbent 1Pacman representative Mikee Romero.
“Since first campaign ni Boss Mikee nandon na ako so maganda yung programa nila para sa mga kabataan sa sports. Kung di mo na maitatanong isa rin sila sa tumulong sa akin nung PBL days ko so ‘yun ‘yung give back ko sa kanila kasi sila rin naman yung unang tumulong sa akin,” recalled the TNT playmaker.
Through 1Pacman, Castro is hopeful that the support for Philippine sports would reach even the far-flung barrios of the provinces.
Although it is Mikee’s daughter, Milka, now leading the charge for 1Pacman, Castro is confident that they will continue to be a boost to Philippine sports particularly in the grassroots for the empowerment of women in sports.
“Kung makikita mo before, hindi gano'n popular ‘yung women in sports. So ngayon at least yung PVL, volleyball, football, mga ibang sports pa na sa mga women, at least nabibigyan na ng boses, nakikita na and nasa-showcase nila yung talent nila which is malaking bagay yun,” said Castro
“At least through Congressman Mikee ngayon na si Milka, sana mas maraming patulungan silang matulungan,” he added.
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