Smokey Mountain: Using Sports to Enrich Life

Last weekend I was invited to visit Smokey Mountain. For those of you who are not so familiar with Smokey Mountain, it is Manila’s largest dump site consisting of over 2 million tons of rubbish. It’s name was derived from the fires created from decomposing waste, making it one of the world’s most volatile garbage dump sites. For the normal citizens of Manila this dump site is a necessary function of society which gives the city an outlet for its waste and garbage, but for the 30,000 people who inhabit the horrific spaces in and around the dump site, it is called home.

When we approached the site, it was clear that we had entered a industrial area, a vast open space fit for only trucks that carried container cargo or heaping amounts of trash. Through out the main roads, you can see a glimpse of people scavenging for the valuable debris fallen from passing trucks. As we entered a small entrance way, it was evident that the shacks were built on top of, amongst and around a mountain of trash. Much like a village built upon a green grass hillside, this village was built upon  a windy path, except the soil, the ground and all forms of foundation had been built upon garbage. As we pulled over and exited the car, the reality of the location hits you very hard. From behind the tinted windows of the car out to the open air, the color of garbage, the movement of people, the sounds of bottles, cans, and paper, the overwhelming stench, and the powerful smog that almost burns your eyes was an immediate punch to my heart.

Only after my senses had neutralized and the realization of the situation had subsided, was I able to regroup and focus on the day ahead. I was introduced to Dominic Uy, former PBA star, current sports commentator and one of the founders of Mighty Sports and I was explained the fun filled day to come. Several months back, Dominic and Mighty Sports had came to Smokey Mountain to repaired a Basketball Court. With it’s mission to enrich the live of those less fortunate through sports, Mighty Sports saw the important role that such a basketball court would play in a community built upon a pile of trash. With activities that could teach, challenge and motivate the community, the organization created a place where people could escape the harsh realities of life. Upon completion of the court’s restoration it has been reported that more people played basketball and soccer throughout the day and it is said that crime amongst community had dramatically went down.

Might Sports Mission: 1) utilize sports as an avenue to develop the youth from grassroots in building their character to become responsible citizens of the country; 2) become a professional organization in pursuit of excellence in promoting sports through specialized and focused events with integrity and social responsibility; and 3) organize and support events that promote character building, values formation and integrity to its participants.

After I played a round of pickup soccer with the local children, the kids from WE International in collaboration with Futbol Funatics ran an exciting and invigorating Soccer Clinic. It was so wonderful to see the love of the game spread throughout the community. From the kids who participated to the elderly onlooking there was a sense of curiosity and a sense of unity where for a brief moment in the day, children and adults could detach themselves from collecting trash and collectively have fun learning and experiencing the passion for the sport.

I had the great opportunity of meeting Trina Santo, Community Relations leader at We International Philippines. Their recently launched project aims at collaborating with partners, to provide a holistic approach to reversing the cycle of poverty in the Philippines. With a new facility built besides the newly refurbished basketball court, together with Mighty Sports, We International is able to provide the necessary first steps toward creating a healthy learning environment for the development of kids in Smokey Mountain. It was truly an honor and a privileged to be apart of such a day, where two organization sharing a common goal to create change in the lives of children through sport and education, came together and brought so many smiles to so many people.

I also had the chance to meet  husband and wife, Avery and Candice Del Rosario, Co-founders of Futbol Funatics. It was a pleasure to see them at work and coaching together. It truly showed their commitment to teaching to the sport and most of all their commitment to social responsibility. This stellar group of organizations really inspired me along with the many new faces, friends and children I had the pleasure of meeting and interacting with. I only hope my presence brought to others just a faction of what I gained from such an inspiring experience.

Special thanks to Paolo Cagalingan at Mizuno for inviting me to such an event, and extending his company’s social responsibility beyond just sponsorship, and Thank You to my girlfriend Cooper, who’s continual support for non profit work and contribution to charity work inspires me and motivates me to bring about change in the lives of other.

The Spirrs Network is a Proud Support of Mighty Sports, We International Philippines, and Futbol Funatics. Please visit the websites below for more information and ways you can contribute.

• Mighty Sports- http://www.mightysports.org/
• WE International Philippines- http://www.weinternational.org.ph/
• Futbol Funatics- http://www.futbolfunatics.com/

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