Football for Humanity para-athletes share what inspires them to become #BetterToday

Community is important in the growth of a person. Like what writer, educator, and humanitarian Helen Keller said, “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” This is particularly true for para-athletes, whose respective communities have been their support as they strive to become better each day.

For 14year-old footballer Jerald Pelonita, football is his source of happiness. “It gives me joy because I can play with my classmates. They supported me to join the football team.”

It was not an easy feat for the shy athlete, who was born without his arms, but he did not give up. “I wanted to be like the famous football players in the Philippines. I continue to watch training videos online and I practice those drills.”

Coach Peter Lim, Jerald’s coach, said that for young ones like Jerald, they enjoy being around many friends. “Jerald saw that there’s no discrimination in the sport. We help them develop their personality.”

Meanwhile, for 28-year-old coach Coleen Faye Grande, who now uses a wheelchair after figuring in a car accident, football became her anchor. A former athlete in a Manila university, Coach Coleen leaned on her family and friends’ support. “It has a positive impact on my mental health. They provide emotional understanding, encouragement, and promote my overall well-being.”

Driven by passion for sports

Despite the challenges, Jerald and Coleen remain steadfast in their faith in the game.

Jerald said his focus is on the ball. “I just think about how to win, how to defend. I know that I can’t do everything, especially with my disability. But I think that I can run as fast as everyone else.”

On the other hand, Coleen shared how sports and her community gave her “so much hope to live my life to the fullest.”

“Sports can teach you valuable lessons such as having a sense of discipline and commitment. Having a sense of purpose can motivate you to become the best athlete or coach that you can be,” she said.

Jerald and Coleen are part of this year’s Better Today: Power Move Project, organized by PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), to celebrate World Mental Health month. An advocacy supported by MVP Sports Foundation and Football for Humanity, this video series aims to champion mental health and wellness through sports and features inspiring stories of Filipino para-athletes and coaches who embody the true meaning of persistence, bravery, and mental resilience.

This initiative is also aligned with the Group’s commitment to help the country achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals #10 on reducing inequality by empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities. It also aims to uplift and improve the overall digital wellness of Filipinos, underscoring the commitment of PLDT and Smart to the UN SDG #3: Good Health and Well-Being. The promotion of diversity and equality also highlights Concern, one of the four pillars that make up the PLDT Group’s sustainability framework.

Champion obstacle course para athletes on what made them #BetterToday

For Adaptive National Athlete of Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) Kent Tumangan, representing the country in this sport brought back his self-confidence and discipline. The 27-year-old obstacle course racer and dragon boat paddler found his passion in sports after losing a leg to cancer.

“After my amputation, I went through depression because I was just a teenager when I lost my leg to bone cancer. I kept praying for the Lord to give me a sign so that I could continue my life with one leg. I joined sports for people with disabilities like Wheelchair Basketball, Sitting Volleyball, so that I could divert my thoughts and not feel hopeless,” the para athlete from Mandaue City, Cebu said.

Soon after, he joined the PADS Adaptive Dragonboat Racing team when he saw their post on social media. “That’s what I like about [dragon boat] because our opponents are people without disabilities. Our team is composed of people with disabilities, and our team is competitive. We compete and win overseas,” he shared.

Aside from dragon boat racing, Kent also found a new passion in obstacle course racing. In fact, he, and another teammate, Renson Embradura took home the silver and gold medals, respectively, in the recent OCR World Championships held in Belgium in September 2023.

Famous as a one-legged runner in his community, 32-year-old Renson joined the OCR team upon the invitation of his friend. The para athlete from Sariaya, Quezon was apprehensive at first, but he soon learned to appreciate OCR. He went against the warning of his family, who feared for him when he first joined the team. “They were afraid that I might run into an accident, but I wanted to prove something. I wanted to show my peers that disabilities do not hinder a person, as long as they have the determination to pursue their goals and reach the finish line,” he said.

“Sports does not discriminate, whether you are a person with or without disabilities. This is an opportunity for us to play this sport and represent our country. For those who want to become professional athletes, they should simply do their best and stay consistent,” Kent advised.

Kent and Renson are part of this year’s Better Today: Power Move Project to celebrate World Mental Health month. An advocacy supported by PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), together with partners MVP Sports Foundation and Football for Humanity, this video series aims to champion mental health and wellness through sports and inspiring stories of Filipino para-athletes and coaches who embody the true meaning of persistence, bravery, and mental resilience.

This initiative is also aligned with the Group’s commitment to help the country achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals #10 on reducing inequality by empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities, and uplift and improve the overall digital wellness of Filipinos, underscoring the commitment of PLDT and Smart to the UN SDG #3: Good Health and Well-Being. The promotion of diversity and equality also highlights Concern, one of the four pillars that make up the PLDT Group’s sustainability framework.

Watch Kent’s and Renson’s full interviews on the Better Today Facebook Page and YouTube channel.

PLDT Group, Football for Humanity team up to promote safe spaces for children to play, through sports

As part of its advocacy to create safe spaces for children both online and offline, PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) through the ‘Better Today’ program, have partnered with Football for Humanity (FFH) to empower youth through sports.

Bulakeños rally around PLDT, Smart's digital wellness movement in mental health summit

The Mental Health Awareness Summit is attended by over 230 participants from different universities, including Bulacan State University and Polytechnic University of the Philippines. 

PLDT and Smart recently supported San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan’s mental health summit, a Better Today conversations on digital wellness. It was attended by over 230 youth participants from various universities, including Bulacan State University and Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

‘Before being the best athlete, I need to be a better person’ -- EJ Obiena

27-year-old Filipino Olympic pole vaulter EJ Obiena shares his story of strength and resilience on the road to become Asia's best -- from overcoming stigma in the sport, to balancing his heart and mind as he dreams of bringing the Philippines glory in the sport that he loves.

In the middle of back-to-back schedules during his short break in the Philippines before returning to Italy for another round of intense training, Filipino Olympian EJ Obiena sat down for the last episode of #BetterToday conversations in this year’s Power Move Project, an initiative of PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) to promote mental resilience through sports.

“To maintain a strong mental headspace, I think it’s a matter of knowing how hard I’ve worked and that I’ve done everything in my capacity going to that day – all the training that I did throughout the year, all those days that I threw up on the side of the track. I deserve to be there, I deserve to compete with the best, and to be one of the best in the sport,” the Olympian shared.

His conviction and commitment to the sport have been validated multiple times, with his record-breaking performances in his latest tournaments, beating other veteran pole vaulters.

“There are a lot of challenges in the sport. Being Asian is one thing, because Asians are not known to excel in pole vault. These kinds of stigma did affect me, but I learned to embrace that challenge. I make sure that I win the competition and prove that stereotype is not true,” Obiena shared.

Obiena started in the sport through his father, who brought him to Rizal Memorial Stadium when he was just a kid. Now, with years of experience under his belt, the pole vaulter also said that his approach to the game is simply winning.

“The best EJ as an athlete is going to be the best person that he is. Therefore, before becoming the best athlete, I need to be a better person,” he said. “From getting knocked down to getting back up to knowing the best approach and mindset -- there are a lot of things I can improve on.”

As the number 3 pole vaulter in the world, Obiena shared that his biggest dream is to hopefully bring the country glory, especially in the upcoming Paris Olympics in 2024. The young pole vaulter also told the youth to find something that they truly enjoy, but to also endure the hardship that they are bound to face. “Achieving something historic would not come overnight. You need time and a lot of effort. There’s going to be a lot of pain, but stay with it. Focus and keep striving. Next thing you know, you’re closer to your goal than you ever were today.”

Watch EJ Obiena’s episode on #BetterToday Conversations here. The #BetterToday Power Move Project is part of the PLDT group’s broader program to help ensure the digital wellness of Filipinos particularly the youth. -

PH Women’s Football team captain Tahnai Annis advocates “me time”, staying grounded

As the Philippine National Women’s Football team continue to prepare for their stint in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, team captain Tahnai Annis joined the #BetterToday “Power Move Project” conversations on mental resilience and her love for football.

Ignore the noise, bounce back stronger,” advise PLDT High Speed Hitters on #Better Today

Photo of Jessey De Leon & Mika Reyes: https://www.facebook.com/bettertodayph

PLDT High Speed Hitters middle blockers Mika Reyes and Jessey De Leon arrived at the gym in their practice uniform, smiling and energetic despite the midday heat to sit down for a conversation on mental health and sports for #BetterToday’s Power Move Project.

To help advance PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart)’s advocacy to uplift and improve the overall digital wellness of Filipinos, the two middle blockers candidly revealed how they deal with the effects of social media in their lives.

“Social media comes with both positivity and negativity. I just keep in mind that I can’t control what others think. I can’t please everybody. It’s essential to remind yourself that the people who are actually important to you are the ones whose opinions matter,” De Leon said.

Reyes agreed. “Ignore the noise, do not engage with bashers, and conserve your energy.”

These volleyball stars each have a huge following on almost all social media platforms, which they use to bond with teammates and keep in touch with fans all year round.

“As public figures, we try to maximize our influence especially through social media, hoping that maybe we can uplift others in one way or another,” said Reyes.

De Leon also shared how she uses her experiences to inspire people, especially those who are going through mental issues. “We’re vocal about mental health because I’ve also gone through a dark phase before. I use those challenges to remind other people that they are not alone.”

For those going through hard times, the two young athletes underscored the importance of not giving up.

“I am better today because of everything that I’ve been through. Nothing is ever easy, and it’s important that no matter what trial you face, you won’t give up, you just keep working hard on doing what you love and loving what you do,” said De Leon.

“I’m better today because I have not succumbed to the problems that life has thrown at me,” Reyes added.  “It’s okay to feel tired and to take a break. Just make sure that you will bounce back stronger.”

The volleyball pros also emphasized the importance of being kind to oneself. “We have a mindset that we should not stop, but sometimes, we really need to pause, to recharge, or recalibrate. Make sure that you are whole before you give yourself to others,” De Leon said, to which Reyes quipped, “Nakaka-relate?” ending the conversation with a high five between the two.

 

Catch more of their conversation on the Better Today Facebook Page here.