Mariveles. Bataan – In a commendable display of support for the community’s youth, GNPower Mariveles Energy CenterLtd. Co. (GMEC) scores a big assist for the student futsal athletes of Mariveles National High School-Cabcaben (MNHS) and Cabcaben Elementary School(CES).
The company sponsored the team’s uniform kits and donated essential futsal accessories in a heartwarming sports event held at the Cristina Square Covered Court in Barangay Cabcaben, Mariveles last March 22.
Leading the charge was GMEC Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) manager Joseph Chavez, who spearheaded the company’s delegation. The event featured a friendly exhibition match between GMEC employee volunteers and the Cabcaben Futsal Team, who were guided by the coaching expertise of the husband-and-wife duo of Jerwin and Florabel Valenzuela, school faculty members.
“Ang naitulong po namin sa kanila aside from improving their skills is how to discipline themselves. Tinuturuan din po namin sila how to manage their time, paano hatiin ang kanilang oras sa sports,pag-aaral, at siyempre para sa pamilya,” Coach Jerwin said. “Yun po ang pinaka-main point that we always tell these pupils and students, huwag nilang pababayaan ang kanilang pag-aaral. Kung nag-e-excel sila sa sports, kailangan nag-e-excel din sila sa kanilang studies.”
Comprising both elementary and high school students from MNHS and CES, the team received a boost in morale and resources. Several GMEC employees gave short, inspirational messages to the players, encouraging them to persevere and continue with their dreams despite the challenges.
Included among the donated items were two futsal balls, first aid kits, shin guards, and long socks for each of the players, alongside the sponsorship of their jerseys worth PhP15,000.
“Masaya po kami na kami ang inyong napiling beneficiary ngayong month. Malaking tulong po ito sa amin dahil karamihan po sa amin ay hindi masuportahan ng aming mga parents pagdating sa pagkuha ng mgagamit panglaro ng futsal,” said high school student and team pivot Pauleen Keith Villacero.
“Magagamit po namin ang mga regalong ito pag sumasali ngtournament. Dahil po dito, mas lalo po kaming gaganahan sa aming ginagawa,” she added.
“Ang advice namin sa inyo ay huwag ninyong pababayaan ang inyong pag-aaral,” GMEC Chemical Process Analyst Merifie Renegado told the student players. “Yes, maganda ang naidudulot ng sports sainyo, natututo kayo ng disiplina, pagsunod sa authority, at marami pang ibang bagay.
Pero mahalaga rin ang inyong pag-aaral dahil ito ang magagamit niyo para sa inyong kinabukasan. Galingan niyo rin sa studies niyo, balance lang.”Futsal, a sport gaining traction in the country, offers a dynamic indoor version of traditional soccer or football. The main difference between the two disciplines, apart from the turf where it is played, is that there are eleven players for each team in soccer, while there are only five players per team in futsal. The football game clock also runs continuously, whereas futsal uses a stopwatch. Another distinction of futsal is that it provides an unlimited number of substitutions in a single game, while football only allows three substitutions.
The initiative is part of GMEC’s Project Saysay, a monthly advocacy program aimed at fostering community engagement and empowerment. Through initiatives like these, GMEC demonstrates its commitment to “Plant A Love” within the communities it serves, amplifying the impact of employee-driven outreach efforts under GMEC-CSR’s Gabay brand, which focuses on safeguarding quality health access.