Building a Basketball Universe

On Wednesday evening, The Nest Studios quietly launched a new online channel called Basketball Universe. In the spirit of the Basketball Show (which ran from 2002 to 2008), the channel aims to go behind the scenes and into the hearts and minds of all those who love our favorite sport. It’s a project that was six months in the making, and only came to life because of the generosity of spirit of the basketball community, and the trust of sponsors in a new, but familiar product.

And its first week, basketball universe went out of town multiple times to interview the well-known Maris Elena Lucasan Fernandez, or Nanay Gonebra, who has been a fan of Robert Jaworski Senior since the early 1960s, even before this writer was born. Also, the production team visited the paradise of Magnolia Chicken Timplados hot shots coach Chito Victolero in Bohan called VFarm. This is just the beginning of deeper, more meaningful conversations with pillars of the basketball community on and off the court. As we have always maintained, they are all people like us, who just happen to be involved in hoops.

At the onset, Basketball Universe has been able to attract support from traditional and nontraditional advertisers, as well. Eastern Communications has consistently supported this writer‘s projects. Uratex has been a force to be reckoned with in women’s basketball, particularly the internationally acclaimed Manila Hustle 3X3 championship. Sista, a product of Asian Coatings, producers of Rain Or Shine Elastopaint, has also become a partner. Even Robinson’s Department Store has joined in, recognizing the value, not just a sports, but human interaction.

Also coming in succeeding episodes on Facebook and YouTube, our interviews with coach Jeff Cariaso, one of the PBA’s 50 greatest players, Scalia Nathaniel, an international celebrity freestyle, basketballer, WMPBL commissioner Haydee Ong, the PBA Motoclub, and various basketball fans and collectors. Popular vlogger Tito Tonio it’s also part of the team, bringing his tongue in cheek humor, and streetwise take on basketball over from his online channel.

One of the most engaging and heartwarming episodes so far is the open, touching interview with Dream Team Orig Mitsui, a traveling group of midgets that has been around for 34 years. Originally made up of waiters and service staff of the Hobbit House, they are in great demand during election campaigns, town fiestas and other special occasions in the provinces. They are so successful, that they have had to split up into two teams merely to meet the demand. Their story of courage in facing their personal challenges, mockery and ridicule from their fellow Filipinos is touching. A serious lesson in equality and acceptance.

The aim of Basketball Universe is to bring together the disparate hoops groups into one solid, accepting community. Everyone is welcome. Catch Basketball Universe from Monday through Friday on Facebook and YouTube starting at 6:30 PM. As I used to say: wherever you are, whatever you do, we are all on the same team. It’s called the human race. Be part of the universe.