“Malaki ang utang ko sa aming mga taga suporta, kaya naisip namin na gantihan yung suportang binigay nila. [We owe a lot from our fans, so we decided to give them something back for all the support they gave].”

Such was the sentiment of seasoned comedian Benjie Paras, once the country’s most phenomenal basketball pro, when he graced a press conference in Manila for his latest supported advocacy. Teaming up with former hoops legends Alvin Patrimonio, Jerry Codinera, Johnny Abarrientos, Jojo Lastimosa and Ronnie Magsanoc, Paras is touring the country to rally the construction of basketball courts in remote areas nationwide through Alaxan FR’s Galing Mo! campaign.

“Hindi ko naman maaabot ‘yung kinatatayuan ko ngayon kung hindi dahil sa tiyaga. Yan ang gusto kong malaman ng mga fans, [I wouldn’t be where I am right now without hard work and perseverance. That’s what I want to teach the fans],” said the 6-foot-5 Paras, the only player in the history of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) to win both the Rookie of the Year award and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) plum in a single season in 1989.

In between acting gigs, Paras goes to deserving barangays around the country to inspire fans to create the “Court of Inspiration”—basketball courts made by the locals themselves, meant to serve as reminders of what hard work and communal effort can bring to oneself and the community. With the help of Alaxan FR, the campaign aims to build a total of 10 courts in different locations nationwide by the end of the year.

“Masarap yung pakiramdam sa pag-support ng advocacy na ‘to. Bukod kasi sa alam mong nakakatulong ka, masaya rin kasing makasama at makalaro yung mga dati kong kasama sa PBA.

[It feels good to support this advocacy. Aside from knowing that you’re helping people, it also feels good to play ball with my old colleagues from the PBA].”