Aside from being a solid outside spiker for the BanKo Perlas Spikers, Nicole Tiamzon is also an advocate.
The University of the Philippines standout has spent most of her time away from the volleyball court working on her non-profit organization, Spike and Serve PH, which aims to promote volleyball at the grassroots level.
Sunday afternoon, Tiamzon got a surprise when most of her Spike and Serve participants came to the BanKo Perlas Spikers’ PVL Open Conference tiff against the Adamson-Akari Lady Falcons.
Tiamzon turned 23 yesterday, so the Spike and Serve participants saw it fit to surprise her.
“Nakita niyo kanina parang isang batalyon sila. I didn’t know na pupunta sila kasi yesterday I celebrated my birthday with them, sinurprise nila ako and everything.
“Ngayon, paglabas ko ng dugout, andiyan silang lahat. Ibig-sabihin suportado ng mga magulang ‘yung gusto ng bata gawin talaga, kasi hindi naman madali makuha ‘yung loob ng mga magulang na ipagkakatiwala yung loob sa’yo nung mga bata. So sa akin every Saturday sila, so parang meron akong grade school volleyball team sa Taytay,” Tiamzon said of her pilot program in her hometown.
Tiamzon toured the kids through the FilOil Flying V Centre and had them meet her teammates.
She hopes that her efforts can nudge the lives of the 24 kids she’s taken in to a better situation.
“Para lang ma-feel nila na possible pala.
“And I don’t know if nakita niyo ‘yung face ng mga bata kanina nung nakatapak sila sa taraflex na magandang gym, ilaw and everything. ‘Yun ‘yung mga kasiyahan ng mga bata ngayon and maybe it can start for them to dream diba?” the two-year pro shared.
“Hindi pa siya (Spike and Serve) ganoon kalaki. I want to start small like them ilan sila 24 with parents teachers. For me pilot place ko si Taytay so nandoon umiikot ‘yung program and if umokay yung program lipat kami sa ibang bayan,” she closed.
