Gracing school or community gathering isn’t new after all for multi-titled coach Yeng Guiao and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters — and they’ve been doing that religiously as part of their civic duties.
But what made it extraordinary for Guiao and his star player Adrian Nocum when they guested the turnover of donated paints by Rain or Shine last weekend to Judge Juan Luna High School in Quezon City initiated by Class of 1992 was the significance of that simple ceremony. It not only highlighted their company’s commitment to reaching out to schools and communities, but also creating a lasting legacy in honor of one of Philippine basketball’s all-time greatest players, who turned out to be a graduate of this academic institution.
That player is none other than The Skywalker Avelino “Samboy” Lim, who graduated in JJLHS as part of Class 1979.
Not so long ago, Guiao used to serve as Representative of District 1 in the province of Pampanga and one of the bills he created was the Samboy Lim Law in 2016.
In one of the exhibition games being played by some of the PBA legends, Lim collapsed moments after he was subbed out from the game and was brought to a nearby hospital, but the tragic incident should have been avoided had anyone in the venue knows how to perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation).
The player known for his strength, athleticism and devil-may-care attitude each time he plays on the court, was bedridden for about a decade after his long battle with aneurysm before he passed away two days before Christmas Day of 2023.
About a month before his death, the JJLHS Alumni Association feted Lim with a Lifetime Achievement Award and on hand to receive the honor was Samboy’s family, Atty. Darlene Berberabe, now the current Solicitor General, and their daughter, two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Jamie Lim. Also in attendance to witness the awarding rites were Lim’s former teammates and PBA rivals, four-time Most Valuable Player Alvin Patrimonio and fellow all-time great Jojo Lastimosa.
Guiao’s visit to JJLHS was like coming out in full circle and he was likewise honored by the organizing Class of 1992 for creating the Samboy Lim Law and was awarded by The Skywalker’s batch mates in the institution belonging from Class of 1979.
For Guiao, the memory of Samboy means his advocacy is still very much alive, but it needs a lot of support.
“It has already lapsed into law,” said Guiao. “It became a law during the time of then President Noynoy Aquino and it is now being mandated as a necessity and basic life support needed in any gatherings because you’ll never know when things like this would happen.” “This could happen in a gathering, a sporting event, it could happen when you are inside the mall, watching movies or even when you’re at home. It’s really important if there’s someone who knows who are certified and ready to perform CPR.” Guiao said that it is now being mandated by the Department of Education, but the sad reality is, it hasn’t been given much priority as no funding to this kind of nature is being given.
“The funding needed here is not that much,” said Guiao.
“It needs a lot of funding and it needs help because CPR can save lives. We all know what happened to the Ateneo players who got drowned in Aurora.” “If people from the government are getting away with billions of pesos from flood control projects and other forms of corruption, the CPR Law is all the more needed because it can save lives.” The fiery mentor’s advocacy was also seconded by the medical team of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, which conducted a talk to those who attended the SBP National Congress held at the Crowne Plaza Galleria in Ortigas and added that CPR is essential in every event.
In fact, the group is willing to conduct training for basic life support, which include CPR, knowing the importance and this timeliness of this skill.
For Guiao and the SBP, the CPR Law should be given more attention, all the more when lives are at stake.
