Spoelstra delivers for ‘Yolanda’ victims

SACRAMENTO, California—Facing the crunch time of his life last week, the most recognizable sports person of Filipino heritage on the face of the Earth—other than boxing icon Manny Pacquiao—took decisive action.

While buffeted by worries about Supertyphoon “Yolanda’s” immense swath of death and destruction in the Philippines, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra delivered in the clutch.

He sounded a call that was among the first to spur relief efforts for victims of the strongest storm ever to whip humankind.

Immediately after scenes of horrific devastation in the central Philippines were first flashed on television screens, Spoelstra called on the NBA to respond.

Without hesitation, the league and its players association donated $250,000 to the US Fund for UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), and soon the entire fund-raising community in America and elsewhere was mobilizing a monumental drive to get help for Yolanda’s victims.

Hollywood celebrities, from George Clooney to Jessica Alba and Barbra Streisand, sprang into action. And so did other important personalities of Pinoy persuasion and connection who joined or expressed support for a Herculean but concerted task of finding enough resources for hundreds of thousands of Filipinos rendered homeless, hungry and thirsty by the disaster.

Among the marquee names are recording artist Enrique Iglesias, whose mom is Filipino like Spoelstra’s; “American Idol” sensation and Fil-Am Jessica Sanchez; and NFL player and philanthropist Tim Tebow, who was born in the Philippines of missionary parents and is currently building a hospital for poor children in Davao City.

Even boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. whose beef with Pacquiao, his nemesis in the ghost fight of all time is legendary, has tweeted his “thoughts and prayers” for everyone in the Philippines. It was a gesture that sparked mixed reaction from Filipino sports fans.

Erik, whose mom, the former Elisa Celino hails from San Pablo, Laguna, told NBA TV that the Philippines “is dear to my heart.” Yesterday, he took that kinship to the next level and agreed, with the Heat’s wholehearted support, to cut a public service announcement asking people to donate to the Unicef.

Spoelstra, who gave the Heat their second NBA championship last season, says it was “an absolute no brainer” to connect with the Unicef, but also with the league and his team to bring assistance to a “country that will need help for a long, long time.”

The Heat combined with the Carnival Corp., famous for its fleet of cruise ships, to pledge at least $1 million to the typhoon relief operations in the central Philippines. The team is owned by billionaire Micky Arison, who also chairs Carnival’s board.

Spoelstra’s PSA, filmed at American Airlines Arena, home of the Heat in downtown Miami, was produced in no time for the sake of the estimated 4 million kids affected by the calamity. It was edited and released in 48 hours.

“Hi, I am Erik Spoelstra, head coach of the Miami Heat and a Filipino-American,” he said to begin the announcement.

“Devastation caused by the recent typhoon in the Philippines has been catastrophic and millions of children have been impacted,” Spoelstra continued. “The NBA family is teaming up with Unicef to bring life-saving clean water, food, medicine and shelter that are urgently needed.

“Please join our team,” he says, asking people to donate by calling or visiting the Unicef website and promptly thanks everyone.

“Maraming salamat po (Thank you very much),” he concluded in accented Tagalog.