By MARK REY MONTEJO
NEW CLARK CITY – After its historic opening last July, National Academy of Sports immediately received a massive boost to improve and continue its mission as a Filipino-owned fast food restaurant donated P5 million worth of sporting equipment.
In the ceremonial turnover held at NAS Campus here in New Clark City Monday afternoon, Oct. 7, Jollibee Food Corporation (JFC) officially handed the needed supplies to 229 students from different parts of the country who are currently enrolled in the program.
“Actually, ‘yong donation ng Jollibee, is worth P5 million pesos, so ang binahagi nila, binigyan kami ng option… as to where it should be,” said NAS executive director Josephine Joy Reyes.
“Syempre ang pinili namin is mabigyan sila ng sports equipment and ma-enhance ‘yong ibang sports facilities namin to be used ng mga students namin,” she added.
As of now, the fund is still under procurement, but when the process ends, NAS vowed to supply aspiring sports boys and girls with world-class resources and stations.
Also gracing the ceremony were Paris Olympic champion Carlos Yulo, Education secretary Sonny Angara and Jollibee Philippines president Ferns Yu Jr. with student-athletes joined the crowd.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa NAS na nagbibigay ng access to better libreng training and facilities that build future athletes,” said Yulo.
“Gusto kolang dugtungan din ‘yong motto ng Jollibee ng bida ang saya, pati narin tayong mga atleta,” he added.
According to Reyes, she and the NAS board were surprised when Jollibee reached them out after the Olympic fever last August where Yulo snared two gold medals and brought the Philippines to its most successful campaign since joining the quadrennial meet a century ago.
“We were surprised, and we’re very fortunate and grateful that Jollibee chose NAS, dahil nga siguro do’n sa hype ng Olympics,” Reyes continued.
“And since we’re mandated to produce world-class athletes, so tingin ko ‘yon ang naging inspirasyon ng Jollibee to help NAS, since this is the home of future champions and future Olympians” she added.
The NAS Annual Search for Competent, Exceptional, Notable and Talented Student-Athlete Scholars or NASCENT SAS Program offers 8 focus (rhythmic), Judo, Table Tennis, Taekwondo and Weightlifting.
Aside from honing its students in their chosen discipline, NAS provides meals and accommodations and monthly allowances etc. The program is open for natural Filipino student-athletes who are in Grade 7 and 8 levels.
NAS campus is currently in Phase 1 (Admin and Academic Building and gym) and the second part is targetting (Sports Science building, stack housing and gymnastics center) to be completed in August next year.
