US embassy treats Yolanda kids cage trip

MANILA, Philippines - From their makeshift hoops in their Yolanda-battered hometown in Leyte to the state-of-the-art facilities in basketball heaven America. From marveling at Lebron James’ moves on TV to getting a photo op with “King James.”

Four aspiring Leyteno hoopsters on the rebound from their harrowing experiences with Yolanda are cherishing the chance to go to the US along with 12 other standouts of the 2013 Batang Pinoy to attend the SportsUnited program for basketball sponsored by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the US Embassy Manila.

The youngsters are the first batch of Filipinos to take part in SportsUnited’s Basketball Visitors program from Mar. 18-31 in Washington DC and Miami. This youth exchange program will involve training, nutrition, fitness, life skills, conflict resolution, disability sports, and exposure to the unique American perspective on sports. 

Highlight of this foray will include stint at US NCAA Division I team George Mason U in Fairfax, Virginia and a side trip to Miami, where they’ll get the chance to meet James and the rest of the Erik Spoelstra-coached Heat. 

“I’m excited to meet my idols in Miami,” 15-year-old John Paulo Macayan of Jaro, Leyte said, rap-style, yesterday when the delegation paid a courtesy call on US charge d’ affaires Brian Goldbeck at the US Embassy.

“Magpapa-picture agad ako kay LeBron at ipapa-frame ko (I’ll take advantage of the first opportunity to have my picture taken with LeBron and have it framed),” Vina Nicole Jaingue of Tacloban, 14, said.

The two, together with fellow Yolanda victims Myra Nacario of Palo, Leyte, and Wince Bretly Abas of Tanauan, Leyte, are turning to the sport they love – basketball – to move on. During the storm, Macayan lost his grandfather, Jaingue’s home was partially damaged, Nacario, 14, lost relatives, and Abas, 13, lost his mother and siblings.

The US trip brings them hope that the sport will help them achieve something someday.
“I hope and I pray that this given opportunity will help me finish college and become an excellent player,” said Jaingue.

The Yolanda victims will be joined by Ormoc City’s Rechelle Mae Pepito and Jan Lourence Salvoro; Sta. Rosa, Laguna’s Mariel Campasa and Jhoen Jeric Corpuz; Bacolod’s Samjosef Belangel, Antonielle Berduque and Rizza Mariz Cenabre; Mariveles, Bataan’s Lea Ann Villegas; Cebu City’s Kurt Daniel Amores; Zamboanga City’s Jan Carl Luciano; and Lingayen, Pangasinan’s Velerie Mae Mamaril and Mark Lester Castillo.