Globalport brings early Christmas joy to Aetas

MANILA, Philippines - The Aetas of Galas, Zambales got a pleasant surprise last Thursday when they received an early Christmas present from the Globalport Batang Pier.

Globalport owner Mikee Romero led the delegation that included board representative Erick Arejola, coach Pido Jarencio, team manager Bonny Tan and the players in providing cash donation and goods to the Aetas residing in the mountains of Galas.

Aside from the P1 million cash donation by the family of Romero to the Foundation of Our Lady of Peace Mission – headed by Sister Eva Maano – the team also gave P250,000 to the foundation.

“This is part of our team building, providing joy and sharing our blessings to the Aeta community,” said Romero, who likewise joined the team building in Morong, Bataan.

The cash donation, according to Romero, will be used to put up training center in the mountains of Zambales. The training center will be a model livelihood and medical training center for all other ethnic tribes.

With the improvements and maturity showed by Terrence Romeo during the recent FIBA Asia tournament in China, the return of Jay Washington and the acquisition of veterans Joseph Yeo and Jervy Cruz and rookie Roi Sumang, Romero and Arejola are convinced the team can now contend for a semis berth.

“Our goal is to make it to the semis, with this kind of lineup I believe we can achieve our initial goal,” added Arejola.

Aside from the cash donation, the team also provided uniforms, food, basketball balls, towels and tumblers to the community.

The Aetas were even more delighted when Romeo, Washington, Cruz, Yeo and Sumang and the rest of the team – team captain Billy Mamaril, Keith Jensen, Anthony Semerad, Mark Isip, Paolo Taha, Doug Kramer, Dorian Peña, Jonathan Uyloan, Philip Paniamogan and Lui Bercede – visited their homes.