Free education for the disadvantaged is the motive behind letting public servants play with celebrities in a basketball exhiition game. This is according to organizers.

While trying to outscore each other in an exhibition basketball game, celebrities and public officials played for a common goal to support the college scholarship project of Kuya Daniel Razon.

The group of celebrities won with a score of 88 against the 80 of the opponent during the basketball game portion of the charity concert and game event dubbed as Sing and Shoot held last March 19, 2012 at Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

“This coming school year, more scholars will be added; we also need to upgrade the facilities,” Kuya Daniel Razon said. He then detailed how the proceeds would be spent. He thanked the celebrities and public servants for taking part in his advocacy.

Participants also expressed that they were equally grateful to support a meaningful project while having fun at the same time.

“Yun yung pinakamaganda, you get to play with your colleagues in government, tapos meron pang fundraising (That’s the best, you get to play with your colleagues in government then there’s also fundraising),” said Supreme Court Administrator Midas Marquez. He played for the Public Servants team along with key people from different branches of the government.

“Makakatulong kami sa mga batang mabibigyan ng mga beneficiaries, yung scholarship nila, tuition fee, food. So I’m very excited, very happy ako (We can help children, the beneficiaries — their scholarship, tuition fee, food. So I’m excited, very happy),” JC Tiuseco, member of the competing celebrities said.

Besides zero-cost tuition and miscellaneous fees, each scholar in La Verdad gets free books, uniforms, meals and lodging for those residing in distant provinces. La Verdad now has two branches — Apalit and Caloocan — supporting roughly 350 college scholars.

Not to be outdone, celebrities brought the sizeable lead down from eleven to two, with 37-35 before halftime. The Team Celebrity’s victory was credited to Ervic Vijandre, who scored a total of 36 points. Other members of the team included Brando, Kier and Zoren Legaspi, Bentot, James Blanco, Allen Dizon, Eric Fructoso, JC Tiuseco, Onyok Velasco, and Ian Veneracion. Veteran actor Philip Salvador served as their coach.

Team Public Servants was joined in by Mr. Public Service Daniel Razon. Other players came from the House of Congress (Representatives Juan Edgardo Angara, Alfredo Garbin, Romeo Jalosjos, Jr., Scott Davies Lañete, Eric Tañada, Sigfrido Tinga, Sherwin Tugna, Lord Allan Jay Velasco); the Courts (Court Administrator Midas Marquez and Rodel Chua, both from the Supreme Court), and the Executive branch (PNP Chief Nicanor Bartolome and TESDA Director General Joel Villanueva). PBA Legend “Tapal King” Philip Cezar coached the team.

Program organizer Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International headed by Mr. Daniel Razon led the awarding ceremonies after the game. He thanked the event’s supporters – players and patrons alike – for the resounding success of the night’s charity event.

Together with Bro. Eli Soriano of Members Church of God International, Kuya Daniel spearheads and supports the founding of La Verdad Christian College. Bro. Eli said that the founding of the college was motivated by the value the Philippines places in education, as well as how the society looks at people who are unschooled.

“Kapag ikaw ay mahirap na at wala pang pinag-aralan, you are being looked down to, para kang minamata. Pero kung ikaw naman ay kahit mahirap ay nakapag-aral ay hindi ka na masyadong agrabyado sa sosyedad Filipino. Kaya aming sinisikap na makapagbigay ng libreng edukasyon (When you are poor and unschooled, you are being looked down to. But even if you are poor but have studied, you are not that aggrieved in Philippine society. This is why we are striving to provide free education),” said Bro. Eli.

(Words by Avon Yang; Editing by Jane Abao)