Sunday basketball clinic to assist with typhoon relief

Basketball is a sport of passion of the Filipino community, and it's at the heart of a fundraiser to assist with the aftermath of Typhoon Odette, or as it's known in North America, Typhoon Rae.

On Sunday, Feb. 27, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., youth ages 7 to 18 can participate in the basketball clinic "Hoops for Hope" at the gym in the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre. It's being lead by professional basketball coach Andy De Guzman, of the Filipino Canadian Basketball Academy (FCBA) Blizzards.

De Guzman and many others from the Cochrane Ballers and Filipino Canadian Association of Cochrane Alberta (FCACA) have donated their time to the clinic.

FCACA vice-president Edwin Aguanta says they're asking for a $15 donation to participate in the two-hour clinic. All proceeds will go to help assist victims of the typhoon.

"It's going to be fun for kids, especially after the pandemic restrictions, so they will have a chance to be on the courts again, be trained by professional coaches, and also learn how to share their blessings with the less fortunate."

According to the United Nations World Food Program, 2.4 million people have been affected by the Category 5 super typhoon. More than 680,000 people have been displaced from their homes and are sheltering in evacuation sites. This is in addition to the significant hardship the communities have endured from the COVID-19 pandemic and is placing further pressure on the poorest in the region.

Aguanta says funds raised will assist those in remote areas whose properties and houses were devastated.

"We send our prayers and our hearts to them. With this event, we hope to send some funds to remote areas which cannot be reached by most help."

They previously held a bottle drive, but fundraising through the pandemic has been challenging. 

"We try to do our best to come up with activities that will help. This basketball training comes at a perfect time."

FCACA secretary Mila Prout, left, visited a remote area of the Phillippines to assist. The local Filipino association assisted with purchasing groceries and galvanized roofing to provide temporary shelter. (Photo courtesy of Mila Prout)

Fortunately, Mila Prout, FCACA secretary and long-time Cochranite, is currently in the Phillippines on holiday and has spent some time assisting some victims of the typhoon.

"She went to a remote community there and helped out already, so we sent some initial funds to her to assist some farmers there."

The funds were used to help purchase groceries and galvanized roofing to provide temporary shelter.

Galvanized roofing has been purchased to provide temporary shelter.

Last August, FCACA held a successful free basketball clinic that provided basic training for about 40 youth. De Guzman, members of the Cochrane Ballers and FCACA also lead that clinic.

Aguanta says they hope to attract the same number of youth this time around. They prefer participants to register in advance but will also accept drop-ins.

To register, phone or text Mike Bautista (403-999-9123) or Edwin (403-399-5872), or visit fcaca_canada@yahoo.com.

In August, the FCACA hosted a well-attended free basketball clinic.