Philippines: BALL IS actual LIFE

I bet you (not including myself), that you have a Filipino friend that is into basketball. Was I right? In the U.S. people jokingly say, “ball is life”, but to Filipinos —BALL IS (actual) LIFE. No cap. Period. I’m telling you. They risk their lives for it, they build for it, and they feed their families off it (see below). I’m talking about busting-yo-ass in 90+ degrees to win $2.50 (see below). You think you love the game? Do you love it enough that you would play barefoot on hot concrete mid-day? Because Filipinos love the game that much everyday (see below). In the Philippines people are clearing jungle just to have a place to play. There is no Fisher Price Hoops for the kids (FTK) in the Philippines. They got a telephone pole, plywood, nails and some metal that they will shape to make due (see below). Any abandoned lot becomes a safe space for play ball. Basketball is so relevant that Filipino politicians “sponsor” basketball rims in swing districts. Imagine. Basketball determining an election. Believe that and see blew because, like I said to the Filipino people basketball is life. No cap. Period.

So while I was in Philippines I woke up to the news that Kobe Bryant died. I was in complete disbelief as I read the articles loading in from Stateside. Kobe was unstoppable and just like that he was gone.

A couple days later, I picked up my camera and hit up my childhood friend, Jason. One of Jason’s jobs to is a tricycle driver. A good day’s work is $7USD. Since he “motors” for a living, I “hired” him to take me to the basketball courts in our small town. He knew them all. He even knew some courts in our neighboring town, Pangil. This is what I found.

I found that as soon as I stepped close to the “court” almost everyone else stopped off it. But they stepped off it with a grin on their face. It was like they were almost happy to see me but too shy to say anything. Some gathered to me, while others found shade. I must have intimidated everyone with my over-sized camera, my American clothing and real shoes (Damnit Kurt). Some took their breather and despite me asking them to keep on playing, some others welcomed me onto court with a basketball and smile. As I shot hoops and shot photos I realized this.

That first, Filipinos love basketball. It hot as hell outside and they still going hard at it. Secondly, I realized that almost just as much as they love basketball, Filipinos love to welcome others as their own. R.I.P. Kobe Bryant. Thank you for inspiring Filipinos to keep grinding no matter what the odds. - Kurt Belen.