Frequent RP visitor Kobe urges storm-hit Pinoys to be strong

The devastation that struck thousands of Filipinos recently did not escape the attention of Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar Kobe Bryant who urged his storm-hit fans in the country to be strong.
Bryant, who had visited basketball-crazy Philippines three times already, the latest last July 21 for his 2009 Asia Tour: Philippines for Nike, said his thoughts and prayers are with Filipinos who are trying to recover from the ill effects of tropical storm “Ondoy" (Ketsana) and “Pepeng" (Parma).
“Have a lot of strength and a lot of pride," Bryant said in a video interview with Elie Seckbach of ESNEWS posted on YouTube.
The “Black Mamba," though, expressed confidence the Filipinos will get over this trial.
“The time I spent over there (the Philippines), I got to know the country a little bit and the people. The perseverance and the strength that they show is remarkable so I have no question that they’ll bounce back from it," he said.
Bryant had a meaningful time in his latest tour of Manila, meeting and teaching kids the basics of basketball and along with Nike Philippines donating P100,000 to Gawad Kalinga’s "Sagip" program to help the foundation continue its plans for the youth.
Kobe Bryant with kids from Gawad Kalinga during his July 21 tour of Manila. GMANews.TVEnamored by the famous Filipino hospitality and touched by his recent experience, Bryant looks forward to visiting the country again. “I can’t wait to go back over there," he said. WBC lends a hand
Joining the basketball great in expressing concern for the calamity-affected Filipinos is the Mexico-based boxing body, the World Boxing Council (WBC).
According to PhilBoxing.com, the WBC has launched its "WBC Asia Relief Fund – Philippine Disaster" project, which intends to raise money through sales of commemorative key rings of the first WBC Diamond Belt next month fight between Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico.
The double-face key ring features an image of Pacquiao on one side and of Cotto on the back side to be sold for $50 plus shipping for five assorted key-rings; $95 US plus shipping for 10 assorted key-rings; $140 plus shipping for 15 assorted key-rings; $185 plus shipping for 20 assorted key-ring; and $450 plus shipping for 50 assorted key-rings.
The WBC will donate proceeds of the key rings' sales to the Philippines through the Games and Amusement Board chaired by WBC vice president Eric Buhain.
“The WBC joins the world helping force just like we did in 2005 in the Asian Tsunami disaster. Extra donations will be really appreciated by our Philippine brothers," the WBC said in a statement.
The Philippines’ top sports stars, pound for pound king Pacquiao and WBA interim super flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. have earlier done their share in post-storm efforts, including donating P1 million each for relief and rehabilitation works.