“Pulot Boy” Now a Commercial Tennis Player

Tagum City (PNA) — Commitment, resilience and passion for the game shot a former “Pulot Boy” (ball boy) to the commercial world of lawn tennis.

Babolat, a famous French tennis, badminton, and squash equipment company, signed in 17-year old boy Gilbert “Kiwi” Paylado Jr. for sponsorship of the company, after his exemplary performance during the 1st AGR Tennis Tournament at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex.

Kiwi only settled for 3rd place in the overall standing but his standout play in the court earned the admiration of First District Congressman Anthony del Rosario.

The representative endorsed Babolat for sponsorship of strings and tennis racquets used by popular players all over the world.

Babolat Manila Coordinator Archie Pangilinan readily approved the endorsement from the congressman and immediately sent a tennis racket, signifying the company’s acknowledgement of getting Paylado as their commercial player.

The company will provide the branded tennis equipment, apparel, bag and shoes that Kiwi needs in his commercial games.

The former Pulot boy’s love for the sport started ten year ago not as a hobby, but out of necessity.

Kiwi started off as a ball boy in a nearby tennis court to help his parents to sustain their needs.

“Naa ko’y 80 sa isa ka-buntagan. Dako na ug tabang kay makapalit nami’g bugas” (I earned 80 pesos in the morning, which is enough for us to buy rice) Gilbert said.

Kiwi was eight years old and a grade two pupil then when he started playing lawn tennis for Magugpo Pilot Central Elementary School (MPCES).

At first, he only had round-shaped plywood as his racket. He does not even have comfortable pair of shoes so he also experienced playing barefooted.

Donations like shoes and rackets came in when members of the Tagum City Lawn Tennis Club Inc. recognized Kiwi’s potential to excel in the game.

He became a contender in the Davao Regional Athletic Association (DavRAA) for three years in a row, as he represented MPCES during his grade six, as well as, the Tagum City National High School (TCNHS) on his first two years in the secondary.

Things got worse when Kiwi had to stop his studies to help take care of his father, who got seriously ill and eventually died on November last year due to Tuberculosis meningitis.

But he won’t let his father’s death ruin everything, as he vowed to continue studying and playing tennis, at the same time, to achieve his dream of becoming one of the country’s top players someday.

“Dili ta mo-surrender sa mga problema. Dapat go lang nang go (We should not surrender to the problems. Just go on),” Kiwi added as he was asked for the life lessons he learned from his experiences.

Kiwi is currently enrolled in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) while helping his mother and cousins in their septic tank cleaning and pumping business, as he breezes through playing with his teammates at the tennis Club mostly on weekends.

Engr. Edward Hibaya, one of Kiwi’s long time mentors, vouched for Paylado’s exceptional agility and strong motivation every time he plays in the court.

His son, Ryan, who also happened to be Kiwi’s match and rally mate, revealed Kiwi’s determination to win in every competition.

“Ni-abot najud ang panahon. Sa una si Kiwi gamay pa, bully-bullyhon lang namo sa court. Karon, dili na namo mahimo sa iyaha kay dako na kaayo’g asenso” (His time has come. We often bully Kiwi in court before. Now, we can no longer do that since he has improved a lot),” the younger Hibaya said.

Kiwi’s grateful mother Elizabeth is pinning hopes on him.

“Unta padayon siya magtarong aron molambo ug makahuman ug eskwela (I hope he continues to improve more and study well to attain his dreams),” she said.

Kiwi, who is grateful for the opportunity given him, has vowed to do his best to represent Babolat, as long as he continues to playing tennis. (PNA) RMA/LCM/PR/LDP