MANDUE CITY (Philippines) – In celebration of Earth Day, the FIBA Foundation shines a spotlight on Palakasan Para Sa Kalikasan (Sports 4 Nature in English), a dynamic initiative that fuses the power of sport with climate action in Mandaue City, Philippines.
Launched in October 2024 by local organization Filanthropic Sports, this Basketball For Good project uses basketball as a vehicle to raise awareness and inspire action around climate change in Cebu. At the heart of Palakasan Para Sa Kalikasan is a mission to promote environmental consciousness through community-driven sport.
As part of the initiative, players from 12 grassroots basketball teams are being trained to become certified #Basketball4ClimateChange Ambassadors. These athletes undergo environmental education led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and are awarded official recognition as climate advocates.
One of the most inspiring examples of transformation is the story of Virgo Bustamante, a long-time emergency responder and grassroots basketball mentor from Barangay Looc. Before joining the program, Virgo was committed to discipline and teamwork in youth sports but had never considered the environmental responsibilities that could come with coaching.
That changed when he joined Palakasan Para Sa Kalikasan, which trains basketball players and mentors to become #Basketball4ClimateChange Ambassadors. Through the BB4G framework and training sessions, Virgo learned about eco-friendly sports practices, wildlife protection, and how environmental policies impact local communities. Inspired, Virgo began leading change both on and off the court.
Today, he encourages his players to bring reusable water bottles instead of disposable ones, has implemented waste segregation at the local court, and advocates for plastic-free sports events. More importantly, he now speaks to his players about what it means to be responsible, not just as athletes, but as citizens of a planet in need of care.
“Before, I only saw basketball as a game and training as a discipline. Now, I see it as an opportunity to teach responsibility—not just to the team, but to the environment as well,” Virgo reflects.
His story is not an isolated one. Each team taking part in the program was missioned to carry out at least one community environment project. Whether it’s cleaning rivers, painting eco-themed murals, or leading school visits, the project empowers athletes to drive visible change in their neighborhoods.
The FIBA Foundation played a key role in providing funding and Molten basketballs to support the initiative through its Propose a Project platform.
With the support of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Filanthropic Sports now continues to push forward with its mission to empower communities by using sport as a catalyst for positive change. Beyond basketball, their initiatives touch on poverty alleviation, inclusion for women and girls, and social resilience, now with a growing focus on climate action.
On this Earth Day, the project serves as a reminder that a healthy planet is essential for thriving communities. With the support of the FIBA Foundation and local champions like Virgo Bustamante, basketball becomes more than a game—it becomes a movement for people and planet alike.
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The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports and particularly basketball in society, preserving and promoting basketball’s values and its cultural heritage.
The FIBA Foundation believes that basketball has the power to empower, educate and inspire youth and facilitates this by implementing Basketball For Good projects around the world.
FIBA