Filipino basketball association in N.L. creates home away from home for hoop-loving community
CBC
Members of the Filipino community from all over the island came to St. John's over the weekend to either play basketball or cheer on their team.
The Filipino Newfoundlanders Basketball Association hosted its second annual tournament, welcoming 10 teams with a total of 180 players to the St. John's PowerPlex centre.
While winning the trophy was certainly top of mind for them, the event also aims to provide a sense of community, says association director Ricky Peñarubia.
"Filipino are avid fan of basketball," said Peñarubia.
"It's a cultural thing for us and we take it very seriously back home. So, to bring it here to Canada, continue playing the sport that we love, as an organizer, it's my passion to do that."
Peñarubia came to the province in 2012, and, three years later, started volunteering with a Filipino basketball association. When its organizers became too old, he took over management. Then, in 2021, he decided to start his own association, along with a few of his friends.
The goal — promoting the sport and getting Filipinos together for matches, but also helping newcomers settle in the province.
"Basketball is a way for me to stay away from that homesickness," said Peñarubia.
"The main goal of the association is to pretty much integrate players in the community because we also participate to St. John's Men's League. So, we have a team over there."
Peñarubia's wife Aimee has been by his side from the very beginning.
As a Newfoundlander looking in from the outside, she said, she has seen the positive impact the association has had on the community.
"The league has become a way for newcomers to integrate into the community and to meet new people," said Aimee Peñarubia. "A lot of people are coming without families to work. And it really gives them something to look forward to."
The work of the association, especially in preparation of the tournament, wouldn't be possible without the help of the community, she said, whether it be volunteers or sponsors.
"It's kind of a community-wide thing," said Aimee Peñarubia. "And the impact that I see [...] is how we're able to support people in the community. We have businesses here and, of course, that gives back to their growth and their own promotion."
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