PBA legends, Alaxan unveil Court of Inspiration in Oro

RESIDENTS of Barangay Puerto in Cagayan de Oro were given a surprise they didn’t expect during the official unveiling of their community’s first real basketball court recently.

The residents attended what initially seemed like a normal inauguration but they were delighted when they discovered that their very own court would be turned over to them by none other than Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) legends Jojo Lastimosa, Benjie Paras, Alvin Patrimonio, Jerry Codiñera, Ronnie Magsanoc and Johnny Abarrientos three weeks after volunteer-residents started constructing the community facility.

The event was highlighted by a friendly game between the PBA legends versus the local squad as part of “Galing Mo, CDO,” Alaxan FR's campaign to honor the people who have worked hard for their own communities.

“Akala ko nung una ordinaryong opening ceremony lang. Hindi ko inaasahan na andito pala sina Jojo Lastimosa, Benjie Paras, Alvin Patrimonio, Jerry Codiñera, Ronnie Magsanoc at Johnny Abarrientos!” said Puerto village chief Christian Achas, visibly unable to hide his excitement.

Residents of Puerto devoted long hours of volunteer work for the completion of the basketball court, dubbed as the “Court of Inspiration.”

The project was constructed by local volunteers under the guidance of Alaxan FR.

The Court of Inspiration stems from Alaxan FR’s advocacy of changing the negative perception on body pain. They transformed it into a source of pride, a proof of the hard work rendered for the community.

Building on the social and cultural significance of basketball courts in the Philippines, the campaign tapped local volunteers to construct this indispensable facility for their village.

To take things even further, the locals filled the court with Legend Markers -- motivational messages put in different places all over the court to inspire people to push themselves to greatness.

Now, locals take pride in the body pain that come with hard work, having constructed something that greatly benefits their community.

“Malaki ang aming pasasalamat at napili ang barangay namin para sa proyektong ‘to,” adds Achas, who led his community of volunteers. “Masarap ang pakiramdam na may nagawang kapaki-pakinabang para dito sa barangay namin”

Barangay Puerto is just one of the places chosen for the construction of Courts of Inspiration.

Aside from Cagayan de Oro, other Courts of Inspiration are expected to break ground in Tacloban, Zamboanga and Cebu.

Courts were already unveiled in Iloilo, Dumaguete, Butuan, Bacolod, Davao and Sarangani.

Lastimosa, Paras, Patrimonio, Codiñera, Magsanoc and Abarrientos are just as inspired by the same people they inspire with the accomplishments.

“Nakakasigla yung enthusiasm na makikita mo dito sa mga volunteers dito,” they said, commending all the hard work that the locals have rendered in the service of the community. “Talagang gusto nilang tumulong.”

Like most of the volunteers who came to help, the PBA legends started playing in neighborhood courts similar to what the locals have constructed. They attribute their success to decades of hard work, unafraid of the pain that comes with pushing oneself beyond limits.

Sharing in Alaxan FR's advocacy, they believe that pain should be treated as a badge of honor -- a testament to the hard work required for success.

“Proud kami sa galing ng taga Barangay Puerto dahil naipakita nila na nasa kanila ang mga katangian para maging kampeon,” the PBA legends said. “Sa totoo lang, hindi kami magtataka kung dito manggaling yung susunod na PBA legend.”

Similar to how the PBA legends inspire others by pushing themselves beyond their limits to achieve greatness, the residents of Barangay Puerto have inspired their community to aim for excellence through the construction of the Court of Inspiration.

If there’s one thing that both the legends and the locals have demonstrated, it is the fact that there is indeed, pride in pain. (PR)