In the wake of Typhoon Ondoy and the uncertainties of rebuilding that lay ahead for the Philippines, many Pilipinos from across the world have been doing everything in their power to help comfort and ease mainland Pilipinos through this tumultuous time of transition that they all face. Many celebrities and people of authority, from the mainland and abroad, have stepped up their efforts of support by using their own influence and power to bring some light to many weary Pilipinos looking for the simplest reasons to smile and hope again.
Kobe Bryant, one such celebrity who has earned a special place in the hearts of many Pilipinos through his several recent visits, has offered up his own words of love and support for the people of the Philippines:
"[The Pilipinos] have a lot of strength and a lot of pride. In the time that I've spent over there, getting to know their country and their people - the perseverence and the inner strength that they have is remarkable. I have no question in my mind that they'll bounce from it. I can't wait to go back there and help them out." - Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant to Pilipinos: Stay Strong!
Kobe Bryant, who was just in the Philippines this past summer for one of his Asia Basketball Tours, has continually shown a generous willingness to not only share his love of basketball to the many NBA-crazy fans of the Philippines, but also share his own love and support to the many deprived children over there as well. Kobe Bryant has visited the Philippines three times in his NBA career: in 1998 and most recently in 2007 and 2009. In every one of his visits, his impact has been profoundly felt by the many Pilipinos who were able to interact with him. Although he's now back with the Lakers and busy focusing on a new championship quest this season, Kobe Bryant is still making his impact felt in more ways than one.
Outside of his very uplifting words of encouragement, Kobe Bryant has also recently decided to give 10 scholarships in 2010 to 10 kids from the Center of Hope Philippines Village in coordination with the Gina Alexander Philanthropy Project. The 10 children picked will not only get a scholarship but will also be participating in the basketball academy and go to Disneyland for three days. And what kid in the Philippines couldn't use some Disneyland fun (and some renewed reason to embrace getting wet once again with that addicting manahorn ride) for a couple of days?
According to PhilippineNews, when Gina Alexander, voted as one of the 100 most influential Filipinas in the United States, approached Kobe Bryant about the idea of showing some extra love to a couple of children in the Philippines in light of the recent tragedies at hand, Bryant immediately said, "We will absolutely do that." Gina Alexander, who has been making photo bags for Kobe’s wife for the past five years now simply had this to say about the basketball superstar: "I can tell you, this man has an incredible heart."
The season has yet to begin for the Lakers, and while Kobe and many Laker fans are anxiously waiting for this season to begin, many Pilipinos in the motherland are just waiting for their own rainy season to finally cease. But as far as Pilipinos are concerned, Kobe Bryant has already won the MVP award in their hearts - his biggest assist coming not to Pau Gasol or Ron Artest, but to a people in desperate need of some 'free throws at the charity line.' Kobe Bryant? He's pretty good from that line.
MVP! MVP! MVP! Most Valuable honorary Pilipino indeed.
Here's a throwback video to a young, afro-riffic Kobe Bryant in Manila during his 1998 visit:
For more typhoon relief information:
Comments
So Kobe had some encouraging words and that's it? How is that in any way beneficial in contributing to the many hundreds of thousands that have been devastated by what has happened back home?
The scholarships that he agreed to set-up are unrelated to the typhoon relief efforts. If he had sincere concern for those affected by this disaster, he would have contributed in some sort of humanitarian or monetary way.
I feel that this article was poorly written and improperly reported.
OMG This makes me an even bigger Kobe and Laker fan! Thanks for the support Mr Bryant! =)