“Sports has the power to unify, empower, and motivate”
The Philippines was struck with a powerful typhoon weeks before Christmas. Typhoon Nona has reportedly left 42 people dead and destroyed at least five billion pesos worth of crops and property in Regions II, III, IVA, IVB, V, and VIII.
Kiefer Ravena has organized “Fastbreak” for the past three years that helped victims of calamities. This year, together with Alyssa Valdez, “Fastbr3ak” aimed to help the victims in their own way through volleyball.
“We were planning this nung October pa lang,” Valdez said. “Pero walang nangyari kasi isip namin baka walang dumating ng 23 (December),” Ravena added.
“E unfortunately may bagyo ngang dumating. Kelangan na natin ituloy sabi ni Alyssa.”
Mozzy Ravena then shared that the Ravena household has had many sleepless nights to organize this event. “Kagabi 2:00am na nagcucut pa si Kiefer ng mga ID kaya kami ni Dani tinulungan na namin,” Tita Mozzy disclosed. “We are so happy kasi sobrang daming nag-donate at tumulong kahit wala sila dito.”
Together with friends, like Smart Elite ambassadors Kevin Ferrer and Gelo Alolino and some volleyball stars, sponsors like Smart Communications, Ally’s All Day Breakfast, and Sports5, and the fandom of Valdez and Ravena have made this charity exhibition game a success.
During the game itself, which pitted team Alyssa and team Kiefer, was a light game that brought joy to everyone in attendance and watching on livestreaming. Team Alyssa had herself, Mozzy and Dani Ravena, Casey Da Silva, Michele Gumabao, Gelo Alolino, Richard Escoto, Michelle Morente, Jen Reyes, Jaja Santiago, Santi Edralin, Ella De Jesus, Miakka Lim, and IC Mendoza while Team Kiefer consisted of Kevin Ferrer, Dennise Lazaro, Gretchen Ho, Shiela Pineda, Jem Ferrer, Charo Soriano, Russel Escoto, Yayo Aguila, and Djannine Cruz.
The game itself saw the lighter side of the Filipino athlete according to special guest referee, Pambansang head coach Roger Gorayeb. Team Kiefer took the first set 25-22 while Team Alyssa took the next 25-21. To make things more interesting during the third and final set, both sides agreed to split the teams based on genders. After a long set, it was Valdez’s team who took the game 30-28 after an error by “Kuya” Sue Roces.
“Si Alyssa nagsabi sa akin nito at humingi ng suporta sa amin,” Gorayeb, who also served as the lead entertainer for the event, said. “Sabi ko sa kanya ako na bahala sa mga player at darating din ako. Siguro, yung dalawa madami na silang blessings at gusto nila tumulong.”
“Maliit lang naman ang mundo ng volleyball at natulungan din nila kami. All you know yung mga nabiktima ng volleyball pinapanood din kami dati. Sa isang banda, nakatulong din sana kami.”
After the dust had settled, it was announced that the one-day event had raised Php 500,000 for the Philippine Red Cross. “This one is a step in the right direction,” PRC Chairman Richard “Dick” Gordon said to Tiebreaker Times. “Anything that bolsters the confidence of our people and say ‘hey we got to help our fellow man’ makes us a better country.”
“If you are a, I don’t want to call them as victims, beneficiary of this typhoon. You will feel a lot better and you’re not alone. That’s why I took the time to support these kids.”
For the organizers Kiefer Ravena and Alyssa Valdez, they are just thankful for the outpouring of support for the event. “Kelangan lang talaga may mag-umpisa,” Ravena closed. “Kahit wala kaming promotion and with the help of you guys nagawa naman namin.”
Both also assured that the organization will document and be transparent as to where the funds raised will go.
