KWENTONG PASSION
LERMA & SHEN ABRASALDO: Nurturing a Mother-Son Relationship Through Basketball and Passion Sports
May
Written By: ZerJosh Serrano and Paul Tamayo
The photo you see above perfectly encapsulates a mother’s support for her child. That’s Lerma Abrasaldo in the striped red shirt seated on the bench, nervously cheering her son Shen, who is the one dribbling the ball, about to set up a play for his team.
“Mas kinakabahan pa ako sa anak ko,” Mommy Lerma gleefully looked back on that particular day. “Pinagdadasal ko talaga na sana manalo sila. Finals kasi yung laro na yan kaya importante talaga.”
A very fascinating fact about Mommy Lerma is that she was never interested in sports before. She only became engrossed in sports when Shen started to take an interest in playing basketball, which she said was a source of joy in the Abrasaldo household.
But since they are not a well-off family, she and her husband really have to save up to support Shen’s basketball classes and games. There are times that their money is just enough for their jeepney fare to the game venue and back, but that doesn’t stop Mommy Lerma from always being there for her son.
“Minsan kulang yung budget namin. Minsan pamasahe lang yung dala ko. Pero talagang sinisikap ng asawa ko na mapunuan namin basta makapunta lang kami sa mga laro at practice ni Shen,” Mommy Lerma told us.
“Yan ang kinahiligan ng anak ko kaya very supportive kaming mag-asawa sa kanya.”
While it is true that supporting Shen gives her the utmost joy, Mommy Lerma also emphasized that it could also be physically exhausting. There are times that the games are scheduled early the next day, so she has to wake up at three in the morning to prepare their breakfast.
But then again, being a basketball player is not just Shen’s dream. The whole family share in that goal, and all of them have to sacrifice something in order to pursue that dream.
“Sobrang pagod din po talaga. Kapag ang game nila nasa malayo, 3am pa lang gising na kami para makapag-luto ako ng baon naming mag-ina,” Mommy Lerma continued. “May isang instance pa na sobrang layo ng game namin tapos traffic pa. Nilakad talaga namin mag-ina para umabot sa game.
Sacrifice po talaga kasi ito yung hilig ng anak namin. Kahit anong layo ng game, umulan man o bumagyo, pupunta po talaga kami. Kapag naman nakikita ko yung anak ko na nag-eenjoy at nananalo, nawawala din naman po yung pagod ko.”
As for Shen, he says that he first learned how to play basketball through the teachings of his father. Shen also admitted that he would feel nervous when his parents would watch his games, but he also expressed his gratitude for the undying support that his father and mother would provide for him.
“Kinakabahan po ako kapag nanunuod sila,” Shen shyly said while smiling. “Pero nagpapasalamat po ako na lagi sila nanunuod ng mga laro ko. Si papa po talaga yung unang nagturo sa akin maglaro ng basketball.”
Shen first took basketball classes in the famous Milo Basketball Center. His parents immediately saw Shen’s potential as he would always emerge as the best player in his age bracket.
Mommy Lerma then discovered Passion Sports, a sports camp founded by former PBA player Rob Labagala. Coach Rob’s main goal is to develop his players not just on the court, but also outside of it.
The family-like atmosphere in Passion Sports encouraged Mommy Lerma to enroll Shen to the program, a decision that proved to be beneficial not just for her son, but also for herself.
“Nakita namin na magaling talaga si Coach Rob mag-train ng mga bata kaya na-engganyo kami sa Passion Sports. Supportive lahat ng coaches doon at nakikita namin na binibigay talaga nila yung best nila para matuto ang mga bata.
Madami naging friends si Shen sa Passion (Sports),” Mommy Lerma continued. “Naturuan din siya ng magandang asal at napalapit sa Panginoon. Pati ako madami din naging mga kaibigan na ibang mga magulang. Talagang nagkaroon kami ng second family sa Passion.”
Through Passion Sports’ mission of developing young athletes into well-rounded individuals, Mommy Lerma realized that sports is also a unique way for Shen to become a better person even outside the basketball court.
So to fittingly conclude our very meaningful conversation, Mommy Lerma took the time to encourage parents like her to go out of their way to support their children in sports and help them balance it with their studies.
“Dahil sa basketball, nagkaroon si Shen ng pangarap sa buhay. Nagkaroon siya ng motivation araw-araw. Pangarap niya na maging basketball player din katulad ni Coach Rob.
Kaya I encourage yung mga parents na suportahan nila yung mga anak nila. Mas nagiging masaya ang mga bata kapag nakikita nila yung mga magulang nila na proud sa kanila.”
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