Heroes everywhere

The unending stream of support for the victims of super typhoon Yolanda has brought out the best of many sports heroes’ humanity. It is thrilling and inspiring to hear of international athletes, Filipino or not, jumping at the chance to use their formidable clout to help the victims of this unprecedented calamity. Combined with their inherent gift for inspiring ordinary people to action, they are making a palpable difference.

PBA All-Star guard, LA Tenorio and center Japeth Aguilar have joined forces with their show business buddies like “Showtime” host Jhong Hilario to put up a charity basketball game at the Ynares Sports Center on Monday evening. The “All Star, All Pinoy” project has drawn the support of their Gilas Pilipinas and Ginebra San Miguel buddies, as well as entertainers from different networks to pull together to play, perform, auction off memorabilia and accept donations for the typhoon victims.

“We feel so blessed to be where we are,” says Aguilar, who himself has experienced his own share of hardship. “Then we see every day what our countrymen are going through. We have to help.”

Hilario himself has relatives who are still missing from the storm’s deluge half a month ago. He has been making almost daily announcements on his high-rating lunchtime program, hoping to call attention to those who have not yet been found. Hilario has also been able to recruit his Showtime co-hosts and friends from rival stations to commit to playing. After all, disaster knows no business or political limitations.

Perhaps the most surprising sports figure to step forward and give of his substance to the Filipino victims of Yolanda is Malaysian mixed martial artist AJ “Pyro” Mansor. After his victory over Melvin “Overkill” Yeoh at OneFC’s successful fight card in Kuala Lumpur Friday last week, Mansor tearfully announced that he was donating his winnings to the victims of the super typhoon.

“I’ve been coming to the Philippines for the last five, six years to train,” the new Malaysian featherweight champion explained. “This is my second home. Everybody is so kind to me, and not because I am an MMA fighter. Even people who don’t know who I am like taxi drivers are always nice to me.”

Mansor was in the country the day Yolanda hit, wrapping up training for his fight in Malaysia. He saw the devastation, and he was shocked. Even talking about it now brings tears to his eyes.

“Even in my hometown Sabah we catch the tail of storms that come from the Philippines,” he elaborated. “But not like this. When I saw what was happening, I promised myself that I would win so I could give my winnings to the people affected. So I brought the storm to the ring.”

That added impetus proved to be the undoing of Yeoh. After the bout, Mansor asked OneFC to help him get to Manila. Beyond the donation, Mansor flew back to the Philippines Wednesday so he could join a medical mission to Tacloban. Despite fatigue and lack of sleep, he joined the team of the ABS-CBN program “Salamat, Doc” on a four-day trip to the hardest-hit areas. In fact, Mansor wanted to stay an entire week, but his safety could not be guaranteed.

“I’m not a doctor, but I will do anything,” he told this writer. “Use my strength. I will carry sacks of rice, lift anything, carry people. Anything.”

Such devotion to our fellow men restores our faith in humanity, and reminds us that there truly are heroes everywhere.

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On Nov. 24, Sunday evening, Roadhouse Manila Bay at the Mall of Asia complex baywalk will be auctioning off a collector’s edition motorcycle and holding a benefit concert for the victims of Yolanda, as well. Fifteen bands have already confirmed their participation for free. The goal is to raise P 1 million for relief efforts.