Jojo Lastimosa and The Alaska Power Camp

Jojo Lastimosa and The Alaska Power Camp

            

             Jojo Lastimosa, one of PBA's 25 greatest players, stood in front of countless young basketball enthusiasts. He was demonstrating the right move in attacking the basket, dribbling to the right and, before making that final halt, making one big hop.  The player then, Lastimosa continued, can either go all the way to the basket or make a pass to an open teammate. That is a typical Lastimosa move, reminiscent of his prolific playing days many years back. This time, he acts as Camp Director of the much-sought after Alaska Basketball Power Camp.

             With the assistance of highly trained mentors, the Alaska Basketball Power Camp seeks to develop the youngsters' skills in shooting, dribbling, passing, rebounding and playing as part of a team.  Alaska Power Camp is emphasizing throughout the 8-day workout that one may turn out to be a good dribbler, or a good shooter, but that is not all there is to it.  One has to work hard, develop the right attitude and blend well with the rest of the team. Alaska Power Camp seeks to inculcate the values of hardwork, discipline, determination, excellence, teamwork and sportsmanship, among others.

              Sponsored by Alaska Milk, the Alaska summer camp is held every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Ateneo de Manila's college covered courts.  Participants' ages range from 12 below, and 13 yrs old up to 18 yrs old. Aside from the basic drills, campers undergo situational drills, where one is taught how to act and react in a given situation. And who else is in the best position to teach but the man they call Jolas who fought in countless court battles.

             In retrospect, I remember one instance, many summers ago, when Jojo was playing for the Alaska Aces.  And the Aces were playing against crowd favorite Ginebra San Miguel at the Philsports Arena. Jojo was guarding the legendary Robert Jaworski.  As Jaworski barreled his way to the basket, Jojo stood his ground and, in the ensuing play, the Big J took a spill and lost ball possession.  No calls were made.  In the next play, it was Jojo attacking the basket and the Big J guarding him. As Jojo was up in the air with his patented move, the wily Ginebra sentinel gave him a hefty shove and Jolas tumbled down the floor. Jojo picked himself up, smiled and positioned himself in the stripe for two shots. He did not retaliate. As he once said in a training session at the Alaska Power Camp, one has to be not only physically strong but also mentally tough.  After all, basketball is not only about skills.  It is also about attitude. And attitude is manifested in one's behavior on and off the court.  

- Konted

Main road inside the Ateneo campus leading to the College Covered Courts

The College Covered Courts where the Alaska Power Camp is held every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.  There are other camps in selected areas.

One of the many ball racks at the summer camp.  While there are countless balls used during the training sessions or practices, there is only ONE OFFICIAL BALL during a regular game.  There are ten players fighting it out for  one ball.

Call time is 7: 30 AM.  Players start to assemble at a designated area.

Basketball all-time great Jojo Lastimosa starts by giving a pep talk to participants. He begins with senior players and then goes to the other groups. Take note of the white board and black board he uses as visual aids.

Jojo Lastimosa illustrates some important points which he wants to be carried out.

Jojo Lastimosa demonstrates what he has been saying earlier.

Jojo Lastimosa picks several players to join in the scrimmages.

Lastimosa tells participants that after making that one big hop, the player can go for the basket, or if defense is tight, he may opt to pass to an open teammate.  Participants get to interact with the basketball legend.

It is now the turn of the young boys to apply the techniques demonstrated by their mentor.  Lastimosa continues to monitor the activities.  He intervenes to make the necessary adjustments.

Alaska Power Camp seeks to inculcate a set of values which serve as building blocks of character development. One of these values is HARD WORK. You spend a great deal of time and effort to attain your goals.

Come what may, the player is firm in doing everything that will help him become an accomplished player. That is DETERMINATION.

DISCIPLINE is controlling oneself,  submitting to rules and regulations, policies and procedures laid out by authorities and recognizing the powers vested in others. Alaska strives to infuse this value into one's system.

Alaska recognizes the value of SPORTSMANSHIP, that is, acting in a sportsmanlike manner even in the most difficult or trying situation.  Valid complaints can be coursed through the proper channel.

TEAMWORK is what basketball is all about.  It is synchronized movement towards one direction. There are assigned roles that must be carried out.

Drills for the younger ones.  Trainers demonstrate what must be done.

First kid to try it out.

Others take their turns. The exercise involves foot works, hand movements and keeping balance.

Youngest kid in the group (in blue shorts) watches the others do it and he tries to figure it out if he can do it.

It is now the youngest kid's turn.

The youngest kid can simulate what the trainer is demonstrating. He can understand and can carry out instructions.

As there are eight standard basketball courts, see-through nets serve as dividing or separating lines.

The bigger ones doing the drills.

A firm hold of the ball

One group is under the tutelage of a lady coach.

Lady coach MJ is up to the task.  She knows what she is doing.

Groups of five take turns playing offense and playing defense.

Basketball all-time great Jojo Lastimosa poses with participant Andre.

Alaska player RJ Jazul  with Andre.

The Church Of Gesu At The Ateneo

The Church of Gesu At The Ateneo

           

             The native bamboos sway a little bit as a gush of wind is felt in my direction. Not unusual on a summer day. I take a narrow brick path leading to a short bridge that opens to a reserve planted to a variety of trees and ornamental plants.  I find myself near a cluster of halls in an area considered as the highest point of what is dubbed as Loyola Heights. Residence Halls, which include Cervini Hall, Eliazo Hall and the University Dormitory, are indicated on a tin signage hanging at a post.  I decide to take another path that leads me back to the main road. From here, I can see a white-painted structure with a cross visible even from afar. It is the Church of Gesu located right inside the wide Ateneo De Manila Campus at Loyola Heights in Quezon City.

Resilient bamboos and other plants still thrive inside the Ateneo campus in Loyola Heights.

A short, narrow bridge leading to the dormitories. Students still use this as a short cut to the other buildings in the area.

A brick walkway leading to the Residence Halls

Residence Halls include Cervini Hall, Eliazo Hall and the University Dorm.

The main road that connects the Grade School zone to the College and High School areas and other institutes of learning. Ateneo has adopted the one-way traffic scheme within the 83-hectare campus to ease traffic during peak hours.

The Church of Gesu stands at an area considered as the highest point within the vast Ateneo campus.  The church and the gardens surrounding it cover approximately one hectare of prime land.

            With a triangular shape that covers an area of about one hectare, the Church of Gesu symbolically represents the Holy Trinity, that is, the three persons in one God concept. The extraordinary design makes it an eye catcher.  As one drives through the main road from Gate 3, the Church of Gesu is at the eastern end of the road.  A statue of the Sacred Heart stands right in front.  A little bit to the right is the bell tower.  The church is open on all sides except the eastern section where the main altar is located.

The cross can be seen as far as Katipunan Avenue.

The Church of Gesu facing west

The statue of the Sacred Heart  in front of the church.  The hill where it stands is also called Sacred Heart Hill.

Matthew 11:28

The church is open to everybody.

Main entrance of church.

Artistically designed

Front area of the church and the numerous trees surrounding the church.

Main entrance at the western side as viewed from inside the church.  Across is Bellarmine Field.

The bell tower at the right side of the church.  It has a set of bells that play beautiful music at designated hours. Bells are also rung as reminders to the faithful of significant events.

The construction of the bell tower and the installation of the mechanism of the Carillon are special projects of Class 56/60/64 as indicated in this bronze plaque. Class members call themselves The Bell Ringers of Gesu.

           The Church of Gesu is the mother church of the Society of Jesus, a congregation which has been administratively running the premier school since its establishment in 1859. Aside from the unusual shape of the church structure, a main attraction is the big cross that hangs atop the main altar.  It is a figure of Christ still suffering on the cross and gazing towards heaven. As one enters through the western side, which is the main entrance, a big rock with water gently flowing down serves as the church stoup where one dips his fingers and makes the sign of the cross.  Serving as background are stained glasses depicting the passion and death of Christ.  A great part of the ceiling is made in such a way that the skies can be seen from inside the church.  

Water gently flows down this big rock serving as stoup where churchgoers dip their fingers and make the sign of the cross.

Church interior

Church's high ceiling

The main altar

The Crucified Christ is shown looking upwards, talking to His Father.

Wooden statues of Christ

Natural light is allowed inside the church through a specially-designed ceiling.

The northern side ceiling of church

The center aisle as viewed from the main altar

A wooden station of the cross

            There is enough time to say a short prayer.  I continue taking shots and continue asking questions whenever I see a guard or a utility man. I look at my camera. A red light is flashing, indicating that battery power is getting weak. Not now, not here, please. I cross the main road where huge acacia trees abound and walk through the open space of Bellarmine Field. Ateneo campus still has that verdant green and is orderly and conducive to learning. I look again at the Church of Gesu.  It is really awesome.  It is perhaps Ateneo's most beautiful landmark.

- Konted

The Bellarmine Field as seen from the western side of the church.  Bellarmine Field is where students gather in celebration of significant court victories in the UAAP.

The triangular shape of the church is highlighted.

A garden at the northern side of the church

It depicts the Agony in the Garden.

Northern side entrance of the church

Strict silence is observed.

Walkway leading to nearby buildings.

View of Church of Gesu from the western end of Bellarmine Field.

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