Spirit of Christmas

The spirit of Christmas was evident as players from La Salle and Ateneo got together in a bonding activity initiated by alumni of both schools recently. A bus took the hardcourt archrivals–some sitting next to each other–to the Bantay Bata Village in Norzagaray, Bulacan, for a whole-day immersion exercise.

It was supposed to be a reaching out program for the players. But Ateneo’s Paolo Bugia jokingly asked Blue Eagles team manager Monchito Mossessgeld before boarding the bus, ‘Sir, whom are we reaching out to–the Bantay Bata kids or the La Salle players?’"

Mossessgeld replied, "Both."

In the bus, La Salle Alumni Association president Lito Tanjuatco talked about his affiliation to both schools during his turn at the microphone. He called it "unity in diversity." Tanjuatco finished at La Salle. His brothers transferred from La Salle to Ateneo for high school and his children study at the Loyola Heights campus.

The group arrived in Norzagaray just in time for lunch. But before settling down to eat, the visitors were briefed about the children in the village. They were touched.

One boy–now 12–was rescued by Bantay Bata after neighbors reported hearing him cry constantly. Bantay Bata staff found the boy in a box under the kitchen sink of his home six years ago. The kid had the weight of a two-year-old and was pitifully malnourished. Apparently, the boy was abandoned by his father who entrusted him to a psychologically imbalanced caretaker. The boy was frequently beaten with a broom. The Bantay Bata staff noticed the boy would hold up his arms in front of his face instinctively as if to defend himself whenever someone approached him during his early years in the village.

The boy was the first-ever child rescued by Bantay Bata. He has grown to display sketching skills. Mosssessgeld said the boy has an interesting drawing of an OB van that shows what is inside like an X-ray. "He draws wonderfully, with correct proportions and perspective," noted Mossessgeld. "All his drawings include the logo of ABS-CBN or the Bantay Bata Foundation."

Another boy the visitors met wore an ugly scar in his head. His father used to butt out his cigarets on his head instead of an ash tray.

"It was made clear to the players they would be with children who were abandoned or abused or both," said Tanjuatco. "The players were split into five groups and assigned to the five cottages in the village. They fed the children, ate with them, helped wash the dishes and put the children to sleep for siesta. The children were very excited and hyperactive. In the afternoon, the players distributed loot bags to the kids. We left at about 5 p.m. and we were back at the ABS-CBN compound by 6:30 p.m."

Mossessgeld said "it was heartwarming to see the players relating so well with the children who enjoyed every minute of their time with their kuyas." He added: "It was good seeing the players talk to the children, play games, do arts and crafts with them and put them to sleep though some of the players like Jerwin Gaco, Doug Kramer and JC Intal fell asleep even before some of the kids. It found it very amusing to see the players asleep and the children, some of whom were still awake, lying beside them. "Tanjuatco said when they parted ways, the rival players exchanged "high fives" and other pleasantries. He suggested a Mass and dinner for the players to firm up their bond before the holidays or right after New Year’s Day. Then, in February, Tanjuatco proposed the staging of a friendship game–pitting teams composed of a mixture of La Salle and Ateneo players–at the National Penitentiary.

"The Blue Eagles enjoyed very much the opportunity to do something for those who do not have as many blessings," said Mossessgeld. "With regard to the Green Archers, a common comment was, ‘Okay sila, sir. Mababait, makwento.’ It was a wonderful visit. It provided the Archers and Eagles an opportunity to know each other as persons, beyond their roles as players. It brought them together and brought out the best in them. It showed that Ateneans and La Sallians actually share many values and convictions that can be the basis, if they put their minds to it, for unity and friendship."

L. A. Tenorio, who almost skipped the trip because of a bad cold, asked to leave early to rest. He’d brought a car so he could go home without disrupting the program schedule. When Mossessgeld learned that Joseph Yeo–whose back was still strained–also wanted to leave early to rest, he thought of accompanying both in the car for the ride home.

"L.A. and Joseph, who were teammates in the junior PBL (Philippine Basketball League) some years back, had a long and pleasant conversation on the way home, talking about their teams and reminiscing about former teammates," related Mossessgeld. "They also talked about other UAAP (Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines) players they admired. Listening to the two of them, no one would suspect that just a couple of months ago, their respective teams had waged a bitter court rivalry where they were main protagonists."

Tanjuatco and Mossessgeld agreed to push for an institutionalized program of interaction between and among all UAAP teams during the offseason. "It could be part of the UAAP program in order to build greater camaraderie among players and schools," said Mossessgeld. "We also felt that the interaction should include many outreach activities that could help develop in our athletes a greater and stronger spirit of service to others." Tanjuatco said he’s upbeat about promoting more bonding activities. "I’m really glad naumpisahan na ‘to," he continued. "Monchito and Jun-Jun (Capistrano) are pursuing it. We’d like to involve the University of the East and the University of Santo Tomas and the other UAAP schools in future activities."

How appropriate that the idea of bonding was hatched during the season of giving.