By Waylon Galvez
The fight against COVID-19 isn’t limited to heath workers in various hospitals, or the men in uniform manning different checkpoints all over the country during the lockdown period.
Former PBA players Paul Artadi and Dondon Hontiveros join the fight against COVID-19. (Photos from Paul Artadi’s Instagram account and Dondon Hontiveros’ Facebook)
A number of sportsmen-turned public servants are actively doing their part by providing help in different ways from the national level, the provinces, cities and in the barangays.
Two former PBA players – Paul Artadi and Dondon Hontiveros, have been at the forefront in helping people in their respective cities.
Paul Artadi, a councilor in District 1 of San Juan City, delivers food packages to a resident following a ‘lockdown’ with the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine. (Photo courtesy of Paul Artadi Facebook)
“Part ng ginagawa ko is nagdadala kami ng food packages sa mga nasasakupan naming lugar. Sa panahon ngayon iyun ang kailangan ng mga kababayan natin,” said Artadi, a councilor in the first district of San Juan City with stints at Purefoods, Barangay Ginebra, San Miguel Beer, Air21, Meralco and Blackwater.
“At least sa San Juan, masaya ako na nakikita ko sa mga tao na andun yung saya kapag nakakatanggap sila, andun yung pag-asa natin na makakaya natin lahat basta sama-sama tayo sa laban na ito,” said the 38-year-old Artadi.
“Of course andun yun takot, kaba… siyempre may pamilya din ako. Pero we do practice naman yung social distancing, proper hygiene and talagang doble ingat na din tayo sa ginagawa natin.”
Hontiveros, for his part, said that he is in charge in the repackaging of items and distributions of relief goods in Cebu City since the implementation of a nationwide Enhanced Community Quarantine.
“Since the start of the lockdown here, ako na yung nag-head nung division for repackaging and distribution. Initially dun lang sa South District, but now even for North District,” said Hontiveros, who played close to 20 seasons in the PBA with stops at Tanduay, San Miguel and Alaska, among others.
Dondon Hontiveros, a councilor in the South Dictrict of Cebu City, takes a ‘groufie’ with city officials during a break from repackaging goods for 80 barangays. (Photo courtesy of Dondon Hontiveros Facebook)
A councilor in the South District of Cebu City, Hontiveros said that they are distributing some 200,000 packs of foods to families of 80 barangays in the city, a job both challenging and rewarding.
“Siyempre andun yung hirap kasi we start early morning for the first shift, repackaging. Then second shift for the distribution, and we normally finish late at night or sometimes past midnight,” said the 42-year-old Hontiveros.
“Ang nakakatuwa lang, maski sa panahon ng health crisis, may mga volunteers na talagang ready tumulong. Sila naman they don’t receive the packages kasi para sa mga in need talaga. Pero makikita mo na ready sila tumulong – and yes despite the risk kaya ingat din kami.”
There are other sports personalities turned public servants actively fighting this COVID-19.
Leading the charge from the sports circle is boxing icon, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, whose efforts gave way to allocation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and other medical needs from other countries.
Over at the barangay level, one good example of doing his part is Dale Evangelista, an elected captain of Barangay 56 in District 1 in Manila.
“We just follow what our President asks us to do,” said Evangelista “Of course, Mayor Isko [Moreno] has issued a guideline, and ipapatupad lang naman namin kung ano ang nakasulat, kasi lahat mag-uumpisa sa bawat barangay.”
Implementing laws isn’t new to Evangelista. After all, the former national team member has been with the Philippine Water Polo coaching staff the past decade, considered the ‘disciplinarian’ for coach Rey Galang.
Source: Manila Bulletin
Xtra Sports ph 