Ateneo Lady Eagle Maxine Esteban is not only fiery and smart, she’s also a kind-hearted fencer – on and off the playing arena.
In fact, the charming SEA Games veteran is making sure she can do her part to help the medical frontliners and communities affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“Well, at first I wanted to make my break productive. I really thought of how I can do my part as a Filipino citizen and as a national athlete to help out our frontliners,” said the 19-year-old Ateneo sophomore, who was part of the PH foil team that settled for the bronze medal in last year’s SEA Games.
“I feel like the youth has to actively participate and take part in helping the government find ways to reach out to the medical frontliners and the affected communities.”
Last April 10, Esteban, together with her sisters, launched a fundraising drive named “A Small Thing Goes A Long Way.”
Definitely, even the smallest of donations ended up being big in her drive.
In just one week, Esteban has raised PHP 339,000.70 and has gathered 50 pieces of COVID-19 Uratex pillows and 92 bottles of alcohol.
Esteban could not help but be overwhelmed by the continuous support her drive has received.
“I was really surprised because I saw Ate Hidilyn [Diaz] raise funds also that is why I started one as well. I think she reached almost one-hundred thousand pesos. So I was surprised when I saw my friends donating a lot and some people I don’t even know,” expressed Esteban, UAAP Season 81’s Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in women’s fencing.
Beneficiaries are UST Hospital, UERM Memorial Hospital, and National Children’s Hospital, and some affected communities in San Juan City. The pillows, on the other hand, will go to families in San Juan and UERM.
Esteban’s fundraising activity will go on until April 26, 2020.
