A fund drive for victims of Typhoon Ulysses organized by the Philippines Football League has raised almost P100,000.
The funds raised came from an auction of players’ kits and boots as well as a personal donation from United City Football Club captain Stephan Schrock, who was a member of Ceres-Negros FC from 2016 until its change in managemen to UCFC.On top of his signed kit and boots, which both fetched a combined P21,100 during the fundraiser dubbed “PFL Cares”, Schrock also comitted P50,000.
The Azkals skipper said he was moved by images on social media, including a photo of a man wading chest deep water just to keep a basin afloat. On the basin was a young boy trying to survive the flood.
“If we look after our own, we are all looked after,” said Schrock, who was awarded the Golden Ball for being the Most Valuable Player in the 2020 PFL Season. “These people are our brothers and sisters and they lost their homes and things. It’s important for us to do our share to help out.”
It was Schrock and another veteran in Anton del Rosario of Maharlika Manila FC who initiated the fundraiser.
“We tried to locate that baby in the photo but unfortunately we failed to locate the parents,” said PFL commissioner Coco Torre, who hails from Bacolod. “So we have just decided to raise funds and just choose the benefactors. We want to help the victims so we are working on it now.”
Also taking part in the fundraiser are UCFC striker Bienvenido Maranon, who is also a former player of Ceres. Maranon auctioned his game-worn jersey and a pair of boots, while another UCFC teammate Anthony Pinthus also gave his jersey for bidding. Next to Schrock, whose jersey went for P15,000, Azkals Development Team captain Jarvey Gayoso raised P8,000 for his ADT kit, while Mendiola player Hamed Hajimehdi’s jersey generated P3,000. Kaya Futbol Club also initiated its own fund drive days after the typhoon that also caused the cancellation of the season-ending PFL match between Mendiola and Stallion.
“The proceeds of the auction will all go to the victims of Typhoon Ulysses,” said Torre. “However, we are still undecided about where to give it or what foundation should benefit from it. So we are still discussing it.” – CPT
