JRNBA Philippines All-Stars Jarrell Lim (2011) and Tyler Tio (2013) dropped in at the Pediatric Ward of the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) to distribute stuffed toys and lunch boxes to young heart patients in an NBA Cares activity. The two All-Stars were accompanied by JrNBA Coach Ruben Lanot and staff of Larc&Asset PR.
The three JrNBA personalities went from ward to ward to talk to the children and spread Christmas cheer. Besides giving gifts, the basketball personalities encouraged the children to continue their battle against their various conditions.
PHC Chief Nurse Raquel Tejada said the JrNBA visit did a lot to raise the morale of the children and their parents and inspired parents of previous patients to also engage in charitable works for the kids during the Holiday season. This is an on-going activity of the JrNBA players and Larc&Asset PR.
Jarrell Lim, who is playing for the UP Fighting Maroons and Tyler Tio, who will soon suit up for the Ateneo Blue Eagles, said the Christmas activity was truly heart-warming and gratifying.
“We will definitely be back next year and would like to involve more JrNBA players in this simple but meaningful endeavor. The JrNBA is all about inspiring kids and reaching out to children who need cheering up the most. This is definitely part of our definition as NBA goodwill ambassadors,” said Lim.
JrNBA Philippines, the grassroots program of the National Basketball Association, will be back in action on January, 2017. Boys and girls aged 10-14 years old are encouraged to join the program which is now on its 10th year in the Philippines.