MANILA, Philippines - New Handyman endorser Benjie Paras had a successful career in basketball and an exciting stint in show business. Now, he relishes the most fulfilling role of his life — that of being a doting father to his kids: Kobe, Andre, Sam and Riley, and a wonderful husband to Lyxen. Yes, Benjie Paras, the court superstar and actor, is the star center of his family.
Benjie’s humble beginnings in basketball began at the age of 11 and there was no stopping him from dominating the hard court, first playing for the UP Fighting Maroons and leading the team to their first championship in 1986. He then became the star center for PBA’s Shell Turbo Chargers and was one of the vital factors behind his team’s victories. He received several awards including PBA’s 25 Greatest Players of All Time and was given the moniker “Tower of Power.â€
“But one cannot play basketball forever,†he mused. Thus, when he retired after 14 years he became an actor/comedian. The shift from basketball to show business was quite unexpected, Benjie admitted, since he didn’t even know if he could act, much less make people laugh.
“The passion to improve your performance is the same with both basketball and showbiz. Whenever you play on court or are onscreen, there is the challenge that you should test yourself every time,†he said.
While he is a legend on and off the basketball court, he is first and foremost a father. “I am strict with my kids but I always treat them with respect and kindness, and I let them decide what they want to do or to be.†One thing is clear —it has always been “sports and outdoor activities over computer games and gadgets.†It is a non-negotiable rule in the Paras household. The efforts paid off. Andre, 18 and Kobe, 16, are becoming fast rising basketball stars in their own right.
The proud father is also a do-it-yourself dad. He loves to stay home and tinker on what can be fixed and improved. “I wish I could do a lot but I have such a busy schedule. It always gives me joy to do simple things for the family like installing the shower or the light, fixing the heater and setting up a bidet,†he said. “I have gadgets and tools that come in handy when I need to repair things around the house. And I got them from Handyman.â€
Given the time and opportunity, Benjie would like to build things from scratch such as chairs, tables, cabinets, TV racks and other household furniture — a dream project he has been setting his heart on. That is why Handyman’s home improvement and tools sections are his favorite places to get lost in. “The store’s extensive product lines are of superior quality and are reasonably priced. One can find great Father’s Day gifts for do-it-yourself dads like me,†he smiled, hinting.
Handyman has made shopping more convenient, evolving into a one-stop-shop where anyone can find their hardware, maintenance, home repair and improvement needs that can help customers improve their spaces with ease and convenience. “Handyman also has well-organized and customer-friendly aisles, making shopping easier. Their efficient and knowledgeable staff are always ready to help out in any home project anytime. Furthermore, Handyman stores are conveniently located and accessible for both professional builders and enthusiasts of home improvement projects,†he said.
Benjie should know. He has been there and done that.
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