Burlington RP Youth team makes street children happy

Being with the RP-Burlington Youth Team is not all about playing basketball. Members are also taught the values of self-discipline, social service and humanitarian concern.

The remaining candidates for the squad competing in the coming Southeast Asia Basketball Association Junior Championship found this out Tuesday, when they took a break off the court to be with unfortunate children at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Angel’s Home, Avocado St., Marcelo Green Village, Parañaque.

All 18 years old or younger, the Nationals quickly warmed up to the 45 street children and orphans living in the facility being run by a board of trustees of the Bata Foundation.

They gladly served food to the children and distributed presents like Burlington socks, vitamins and volleyball and basketball balls courtesy of Teamsports. They even showed the children, aged 3-13, basic basketball skills such as passing and dribbling.

What really brought joy to the children, however, was the collapsible basketball board and ring the players themselves erected. It replaced the broken down, makeshift board they previously have.

In return, the children entertained their visitors, whom they fondly referred to as Kuyas, with a song and dance number featuring current hits Pamela Wan and Otso-Otso. They also promised their Kuyas that everyday, at 6 p.m., they would be praying for their success in the Seaba tournament slated April 14-19 in Lucena City.

Edith Caingles, secretary of the board of trustees and Gloria Fernandez, treasurer, accepted the donations on behalf of the children.