PBA Player Jervy Cruz Encourages Aspiring Basketball Players to Follow Their Dreams

Wazzup Pilipinas!

PBA Player Jervy Cruz has a lot to share about his basketball journey, “Sobrang blessed ako kasi narating ko ang narating ko. Kasi sobra-sobrang hirap ang dinaanan ko. Galing akong probinsya pero pangarap ko lang talaga maging isang PBA player”, says Jervy.

He continues by saying that even when he was in high school, he was dead-set on his dreams, though, it didn’t seem possible to attain his ambition, he held on to it, “Nung high school ako, ang laro namin di naman seryoso. Nung nag-college ako, 4 a.m. pa lang gising na ako, tapos Team B ako ng 4 years. So feeling ko, bakit ganoon.”

He said that despite the obstacles that came his way, he never doubted himself. He just kept his unwavering faith and kept the dream alive. “Ang sabi ko sa sarili ko pag susuko na ako,…konti na lang…kaya ko pa, kaya ko pa ito.”

Having accomplished a dream that most young basketball players aspire for, Jervy has made it his advocacy to inspire more young players to hold on to that dream. He has become the voice for Under Armour’s latest program, FIBA 3x3 U18 Asia Cup presented by Under Armour.

3x3 basketball, or streetball is the largest urban team sport of the world. With 12-second shot clock, and 10-minute or first team to 21-point format, the games are usually fast, accessible, and entertaining for the players and audience alike. The format made its global competitive debut at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics in Singapore and the World Championships have been regularly organised by FIBA since then.

The Under Armour 3x3 Southeast Asia 2017 Tournament will take place in Cebu at the Cebu City Sports Club and Ayala Center Cebu on April 22-23, 2017. In Manila, it will take place at Bonifacio Global City on April 28-30, 2017.

Organised by Under Armour in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines, the tournament is open to all U-18 male and female basketballers.

Each player who signs up will receive a set of Under Armour teamwear that consists of an UA Tech™ Tank Top and UA Baseline Basketball Shorts. All players will also receive 25% discount on Under Armour basketball footwear, including the latest signature Curry 3 Basketball Shoes that deliver infinite support and total control on the court. 

 
In addition to winning up to S$1,000 or Php36,000 in prize money, respective country’s basketball federation or association may also select the winning teams to be part of the national contingent and compete against other National Teams from Asia in the FIBA 3x3 U18 Asia Cup presented by Under Armour on 26–28 May 2017 held in Cyberjaya Gem in Mall, Malaysia. Flights and accommodation will be fully paid for the selected teams.

“Kung gusto mo makamit ang pangarap mo, kailangan mo mag-try. Kailangan sabihin mo kaya mo ito. Magsikap ka, at wag mawalan ng pag-asa. To all the aspiring basketball players, this may be your chance na mabago ang buhay mo. Sumali kayo sa UA 3x3”, says Cruz.

Registration locations are available online at www.ua3x3.com and can be made at all Under Armour Brand Houses and partner stores from now until 12 April 2017. Visitwww.ua3x3.com for more information on the UA 3x3 Under 18 Tournament.

BGC: Making Dreams Come True for Children of Military Heroes

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Lance was only 4 years old when his father, Army Sgt. Narciso Lawrence Layug died. He remembers how his mom broke the news to him, “Anak, si dad nandun na sa heaven.” (Son, daddy’s in heaven.) To which he gave an innocent answer, “Sundan natin, bisitahin natin siya. Malapit lang naman yun, at may pamasahe tayo.” (Let’s visit him. It’s not that far a place, and we have money for the commute.)

Years later, the family left the province for Manila. As they rebuild their lives in the city, mother-and-son became best of friends, and helped each other in running their household.

Lance is only one of the many children supported by HERO (Help Educate and Rear Orphans) Foundation – a non-profit organization that provides educational assistance in the form of stipends to children of fallen soldiers.

To help support military families, Fort Bonifacio Development Foundation, Inc. (FBDFI), BGC’s social responsibility arm, and the Bonifacio Global City Estate Association recently turned over P1-million and P200,000.00 worth of cash donations, respectively to HERO Foundation.

“Wars, insurgencies and natural disasters keep military families apart. When an unfortunate incident leaves servicemen killed or incapacitated in the line of duty, their families are equally left impaired. The surviving parent and children are left to deal with bouts of emotional and financial stress and their future suddenly becomes unstable. This is why we have partnered with HERO Foundation to help some of the children have a more secure tomorrow through education,” says Aileen Zosa, EVP of Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and Vice Chair of FBDFI.

Zosa explains that HERO Foundation’s cause is so close to home because BGC, now a vibrant business and lifestyle district, was once a military base. “While BGC has evolved by leaps and bounds through the years, we acknowledge that what once stood here is an integral part of the city’s history. We feel that by assisting HERO Foundation, we are honoring this side of our past.”

Download Oceana’s Primer to Understand the Amended Fisheries Code Today

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Primer serves as a simple guide for fishers, local government units and the general public to understand and follow the amended Fisheries Code

The Philippine Fisheries Code (Republic Act 8550) was amended on 27 February 2015 by RA 10654, providing higher penalties while mandating better monitoring systems to stop illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Top marine conservation group Oceana Philippines recently launched a simple primer on RA 10654 in Cebu City. The handy, notebook-sized booklet is meant to serve as a simple guide for fishers and private institutions to better understand the amended Fisheries Code, while helping government agencies enforce the law and empowering citizens to know their rights.

“The amended code is a Godsend for the fisheries sector – but understanding a set of complicated rules might not be easy for all. To address this, we created printed and downloadable primers. We hope this makes the implementation of the amended Fisheries Code faster,” shares Oceana Philippines Vice-President Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos.