Instead of celebrating his 25th birthday inside the comforts of his home, Navotas-Uni-Pak Sardines guard Osama Abdurasad decided to have a different kind of celebration.
Last Sunday, Abdurasad spent the day out on the streets while handing out food packs in his hometown.
Navotas’ homegrown star roamed around the city and gave out hundreds of hot meals to the individuals on the frontlines of the country’s battle against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, as well as the less fortunate.
“Kesa mag-enjoy ako dahil ngayon ay aking kaarawan, nagbigay na lang ako ng tulong sa mga frontliners ng Navotas. Saludo kasi ako sa sipag at tiyaga nila para protektahan kami sa kumakalat na virus,” said Manok ng Bayan Abdurasad, who hails from North Bay Boulevard South (NBBS), Navotas.
Abdurasad knows what it feels like to give his all for his beloved city, having represented Navotas in different basketball leagues aside from the Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. And during those times, the people of Navotas always had his back.
For him, now is the perfect time to give back and repay the favor, even if it means exposing himself to the virus — a sacrifice he is willing to make.
“Masarap sa pakiramdam, lalo na sa lugar ko mismo, kase kagaya ko din na player ng Navotas, ramdam ko din ‘yung sakripisyo nila para sa mga taga Navotas. Walang pinagkaiba sa amin sa paglalaro,” shared Abdurasad, who posted 8.9 points, 2.6 assists, and 2.6 rebounds in the Chooks-to-Go Lakan Season.
“Kumbaga ngayon, sila naman ‘yung binibigay nila lahat nila para manalo ‘yung Navotas sa laban na ‘to.”
With the country’s war against the pandemic still in full swing, Abdurasad hopes that the city of Navotas can work together and bounce back from adversity.
“Kung magkakaisa ang lahat, walang mahirap, saka laban lang nang laban. Kaming mga taga Navotas naniniwala ako na sanay kami sa hirap kaya makakaya namin kahit anong sakuna ang dumating,” Abdurasad said.
“Most importantly, hind naman kami pinapabayaan ni Mayor Toby [Tiangco] and Cong. John Ray [Tiangco], kaya sobrang blessed ang Navotas dahil maraming handang tumulong.”
Story by Jonash Dannug
