The Collegiate Press Corps took advantage of the respite from varsity wars to get into the season of giving by conducting its first-ever outreach program.
Members of the group of sportswriters covering the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and National Collegiate Athletic Association beat shared a day of fun, charity and thanksgiving with kids from the Concordia Children’s Services in Sta. Mesa, Manila last 11 December.
A project led by current CPC president John Bryan Ulanday, the group wanted the event to be a part of its annual program outside of the daily grind of sports action.
“The Collegiate Press Corps outreach program was a breakthrough project we hope to be a staple from here on,” Ulanday, who started his sportswriting career at the Daily Tribune, said.
“As the group holds an annual awards night and sportswriting seminar and workshop to chronicle and recognize the success of the student-athletes on the court, the CPC came up with the idea of extending it way beyond the hardcourt,” he added.
“There are more stories to tell outside sports and this time around, the CPC saw a glimpse of that and in return shared it with others by extending our hands in the season of giving.”
A total of 22 orphaned children along with members of the CPC engaged in fun and games while clowns entertained the kids with a magic show.
But the highlight of the noble gesture was the donation of five nebulizers, medicine and other medical supplies along with food, sacks of rice and other goods for the children.
“Holding the noble event wasn’t our story. It’s the story of the kids and staff at Concordia. And like we do in the collegiate beat in writing the journey of each athlete, we only happened to be the messengers,” Ulanday said.
“For that, we’re humbled and honored. For that, we’ll never get tired. Being a witness to the smiles and laughs of kids, at least for a moment, was an incomparable feeling we would treasure forever. With hope, this would not be the last.”
Generous and gold-hearted sponsors chipped in to make the event possible.
UAAP and NCAA coaches, school officials and athletes extended their help through financial and in-kind donations.
UAAP executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag, De La Salle University mentor Topex Robinson and Green Archer Francis Escandor also took time to join the CPC in the event.
“We could have not made this possible without the help of all the personalities in the UAAP, NCAA, the entire sports scene, our colleagues and even our friends and family outside the industry,” Ulanday said.
“Sports, and in life in general, is a gift that keeps on giving. We shared it with them.”
