What do you do if the indie film market seemed saturated?
For actor-turned-independent filmmaker Carlo Maceda it’s time to diversify, and by it, he means looking for a new form of entertainment content Filipinos, especially for the youth this 2019.
And, what did he do, initially to fulfill this wish? He created his own basketball league.
Carlo, his wife Derlyn Maceda, Charter President of Inner Wheel Club Rosario Diamond, and their friend Jeannette Beltran, a top marketing executive, recently founded Community Basketball Association (CBA), an alternative basketball league to develop grassroots Filipino basketball players from different parts of the Philippines.
It’s a fact that more than a decade ago, Carlo was one of the pioneers in producing independent movies under his OnCam Productions. He made the films Nars (2007) starring Jennylyn Mercado and Coco Martin, and Sisa (2008) with Jodi Sta. Maria.
As director, he helmed Gabriela (2013), a film on the historical revolt led by Gabriela Silang, with Tin Patrimonio, former PBB housemate, and daughter of basketball player Alvin Patrimonio.
“Instead of doing indie movies, I challenged myself to be active in Sports entertainment – thus the formation Community Basketball Association which I founded just a few months ago (June 2018).
“The entertainment that we give this time to the people is basketball, a very popular sport among Filipinos,” says Carlo in a recent pocket interview in Luxent Hotel, sponsored by YHM for Men, Rien’a, and Arceegee Sportswear.
“My filmmaker friends have been asking me what my next film was, but I told them I’m venturing into sports for now since the indie scene is quite crowded. Siyempre, tayo ang isa sa nag-start niyan ng mga educational films, “ Lumipat muna ako taking a break from movies so I did live events, and this time, basketball.
“Basketball is entertainment for the family, it’s the number one sport in the country. So with me is my wife Derlyn (Maceda), we conceptualized this league for six months with Jeannette Beltran,” shares Carlo.
PBA legend Alfredo “Pido” Jarencio serves as the league’s consultant. “We got Pido as our consultant so he could teach and guide us in organizing the league.”
The Community Basketball Association (CBA) kicked off with its first game on Jan. 27 in San Mateo Coliseum telecast live on IBC-13.
“Twelve teams will be introduced this Sunday. We started forming these teams around June last year (2018), six months of conceptualization, marketing, getting company partners for sponsorships.
“I’m so glad that IBC-13 gave us an airtime through Asian Television Content Corporation (headed by Engr. Rey Sanchez),” he shares.
The basketball games will be held every Saturday and Sunday, 6 -9 p.m live over IBC-13 prime time.
“It’s something new for the fans of basketball, it’s an alternative one. As you can see, may kakulangan ng liga. Kasi, ang daming players ng UAAP, etc, pero after that, saan sila? Kaunti lang ang pumapasok sa PBA,” he said.
What are his objectives in founding this basketball league?
“We want to help the basketball communities nationwide, to bring entertainment sa mga sitio. We will go to different barangay courts kaya Punong-puno, ang daming nanonood,” he said.
“So, it may also boost the economy of the community because of the event. It also combats depression, which is also one of our advocacies, by promoting sports, we hope to encourage the youth to stay away from drugs. It’s a highly organized and televised league for amateur basketball players, so bawal dito ang mga ex-PBA, ex-ABL, pero open for all ages from 18 years old and above. No age limit, as long as they are fit and can play,” he continued.
How’s the feedback from the masses, so far?
“Everybody is excited. Siyempre, itong mga unang nagtiwala sa ating mga basketball teams, founding teams natin ang mga ‘yan. Mga homegrown talaga. We have different legs from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, but right now, we’re just starting in NCR. We hope to give exposure to grassroots players around the country.”
As of now, they have 12 teams in Metro Manila including teams from Nueva Ecija, Malabon, San Mateo, Quezon City, Pasig, Paranaque, Rizal, Rizaba, General Trias, San Juan, Binangonan and hopefully, they look forward for Bulacan or Tanza to join in.
“We created it by legs so that the expenses of the team owners are minimized. Then, the top winners from different areas will move up to the Finals where we will give away P1 million in cash and another million in kind to be donated to a chosen beneficiary barangay, church or public school!” Carlo added.
“The vision of CBA is to create a platform where we can share our talent on and off the court to share blessings to communities and young players. CBA is a small league with a big heart.
To know more about CBA please like and share our FB page CBA Pilipinas or go to www.cbapilipinas.com.
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