Members of the Olongapo Junior Trackers team are heading into the 2024 Batang Pinoy in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, this week with renewed motivation and excitement.
Their spirits were lifted after receiving brand-new running shoes, thanks to the efforts of Paris Olympian Maxine Esteban and 1Pacman Partylist first nominee Milka Romero.
The initiative began when the team’s coach reached out to Esteban for assistance in providing proper gear for the young athletes.
Touched by the request, Esteban, through her own sports foundation, teamed up with the 1Pacman Partylist to deliver 83 pairs of shoes from Anta Philippines.
On Saturday, Nov. 16, Esteban and Romero led a heartfelt turnover ceremony where the young athletes, who traveled from Olongapo, were all smiles as they received not only the shoes but also snacks from Rebisco and rechargeable fans from Akari.
Accompanying the athletes were their head coach, Samuel Bada, and Olongapo City Sports and Youth Development head, David Bayarong.
“Nagpapasalamat po tayo. Malaking malaking tulong ito sa mga kabataan natin lalo na’t ang mga kabataan natin, some of them don’t really have the means para makakuha ng shoes,” said Bayarong.
“But apart from the things na binigay nila Ma’am Maxine and Ma’am Milka, it’s also the moral support na nakukuha ng mga bata na ‘uy, once in their life pala they are also in my shoes.’ So nakikita ng mga bata na in the future, as long as I be good in what I do now, pwede rin pala akong maging si Ms. Maxine and Ms. Milka,” he added.
Romero, who co-owns the Capital1 Solar Energy team in the PVL with her sister Mandy, explained how her partnership with Esteban came about. The two first met during an event where they were recognized as women of style and substance. Sharing a common advocacy for supporting grassroots sports, they decided to work together.
“Kaming dalawa magkasing age more or less kami and bilang women in sports, at a young age parang nakita ko na she’s willing to help and ako rin as someone running in Congress so sabi ko we should do more things together as women in sports, women athletes,” Romero shared.
“Doon na nagkaroon ng fruition, nag-start ‘yung idea to give back to different communities and different teams across the Philippines,” she added.
Esteban, who understands the challenges faced by student-athletes, emphasized how important it was for her to provide support to those in need.
“It’s really my advocacy kasi kahit naman di ako pinalad na marepresent yung Pilipinas sa Olympics, ipinangako ko talaga sa sarili ko na I want to be relevant in Philippine sports and really to help athletes here in the Philippines,” she said.
For both Esteban and Romero, the effort is about more than just providing gear—it’s about inspiring young athletes to continue chasing their dreams despite life’s challenges.
“I think what pushes us forward as an athlete is that there’s someone that believes in us. Isang fan, ‘yung parents, ‘yung coaches natin. Definitely, children are being developed through sports and we are only there to guide them and keep that dream,” Romero explained.
“Bilang bagong generation, kailangan may foundation, may support galing sa pamilya, sa coaches, sa community. It takes a village to make an athlete. It takes a team. Wala ngang ‘I’ in ‘team’ so keeping the dream is a community effort,” she added.
The simple yet meaningful gesture from Esteban and Romero is a reminder of the impact of collective support in shaping the future of young Filipino athletes, paving the way for the next generation of Olympians.
