BY WAYLON GALVEZ
The fight against the deadly virus Covid-19 isn’t limited to the health workers in various hospitals, or the men in uniform manning different checkpoints all over the country during this lockdown period.
A number of athletes who are now public servants are actively doing their part by providing help to their constituents.
They are former PBA players, Paul Artadi and Dondon Hontiveros – both councilors in their respectiveplaces – Artadi in San Juan City and Hontiveros in Cebu City.
“Part ng ginagawa ko is nagdadala kami ng food packages sa mga nasasakupan naming lugar. Sa panahon ngayon iyun ang kailangan ng mga kababayan natin,” said Artadi, a councilor in District 1 in San Juan City.
A professional player from 2004 to 2015, it has almost become a daily routine for Artadi to make house-to-house visits, despite the possibility of afflicted by the deadly disease that has affected and claimed thousands of lives, as well as forced lockdown across the globe.
Artadi, however, said he finds joy in giving inspiration to his constituents.
“At least sa San Juan, masaya ako na nakikita ko sa mga tao na andun yung saya kapag nakakatanggap sila, andun yung pagasa natin na makakaya natin lahat basta sama-sama tayo sa laban na ito,” said the 38-year-old Artadi.
“Of course andun yun takot, kaba… siyempre may pamilya din ako. Pero we do practice naman yung social distancing, proper hygiene and talagang doble ingat na din tayo sa ginagawa natin.”
Hontiveros, for his part, said that he is in charge in the repackaging of items and distributions of relief goods in Cebu City since the implementation of a nationwide Enhanced Community Quarantine.
“Since the start of the lockdown here, ako na yung nag-head nung division for repackaging and distribution. Initially dun lang sa South District, but now even for North District,” said Hontiveros, who played on the PBA from 2000 to 2018 after a stellar two-year stint in the MBA.
A councilor in the South District of Cebu City, Hontiveros said that they are distributing some 200,000 packs of grocery goods to families of 80 barangays in the city, which has been both challenging and rewarding.
“Siyempre andun yung hirap kasi we start early morning for the first shift, repackaging. Then second shift for the distribution, and we normally finish late at night or sometimes past midnight,” said the 42-year-old Hontiveros.
“Ang nakakatuwa lang, maski sa panahon ng health crisis, mga volunteers na talagang ready tumulong. Sila naman they don’t receive the packages kasi para sa mga in need talaga. Pero makikita mo na ready sila tumulong – and yes despite the risk kaya ingat din kami.”
Also helping in the fight to combat the spread of COVID-19 is Dale Evangelista.
The elected captain of Barangay 56 in District 1 of Manila City, Evangelista has been implementing the orders approved by Mayor Isko Moreno.
“We just follow what our President asks us to do,” said Evangelista moments after distributing goods with other officials on some 1,800 families.
“Of course, the City of Manila has issued a guideline given to us by Mayor Isko. Ipapatupad lang naman namin kung ano ang nakasulat, kasi lahat maguumpisa sa bawat barangay.”
“Sa experience natin when it comes to being part of the national team – both as former athlete and now as a coach – nagagamit naman natin bilang public servant,” said the 42-year-old Evangelista, who is part of the national water polo coaching staff.
“As a coach, part jan is pag-disciplina sa mga athletes, pagbigay encouragement, ngayon sa nangyayari sa bansa – well sa buong mundo yung pandemic – sa maliit na barangay pag dun nag-umpisa yung disiplina, malaking bagay at tulong sa gobyerno,’ he added.
