The Cochrane chapter of the United Filipino Entrepreneur Association (UFEA) is launching its first major undertaking this Saturday involving the most popular sport in the Filipino community.

The first two games of the newly-formed Bayanihan Basketball League are being held, following an opening ceremony at 7:30 a.m. in the gymnasium of the SLS Centre on July 29.

Several UFEA officials will be there, including Alberta chair Bojo Bautista and Cochrane chapter chair Honey Fe Madrid.

On opening day, special activities will be held at half-time of both games. The winner of the cash raffle will receive 100 per cent of the money collected.

The word "Bayanihan" comes from the word bayan, which means community, and bayani is hero.

"Bayaniihan takes place when people unite as one to achieve a particular goal," explains Madrid.

"We wanted to give back to the community, so we decided to have this basketball event to say thank you. This is a free basketball event that UFEA is going to host."

The five teams in the league will play a six-week season that wraps up on Sept. 2. Two games will be played every Saturday morning.

The league will focus on the Filipino community in its first season and then expand to include the entire community next year.