Introduction
Jimmy Gustilo is the truth of following dreams. After a stint of advertising work in the city, mixed in with a passion for drinking and DJing on the beach he finally found his place in El Nido. Trading the conveniences of the city, he settled for a quieter life in El Nido. He does keep himself busy spinning tunes at The Beach Shack, Panorama, and Sava Beach Bar around town. Eventually, his love for basketball got him and he started another project (aside from starting Hapi Tumi), Aplaya Ballers!
Putting down roots
Over the past year Jimmy, started putting his roots down by building a two story container home. In the same neighborhood he saw a group of kids making a makeshift ring that was just not up to standard specifications. Jimmy says, “I had one (ring) sent from Manila, we got some wood and had a metal brace made at nawer and there you go. Even the kids helped in setting up the court, climbing the tree and all. Very bayanihan spirited group.”
PBA Hopes
Through a common friend and grade school classmate, Dennis John Santos, Gustilo was able to connect with PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial. Together they organized sending over some basketball gear for the kids including some shirts and balls.
Gustilo says “I just wanted them to start with a regulation size hoop and ball… I visualize it something like a low key version of Venice beach or Rucker park. A place to polish your skills or showcase your handles when it comes to 3-on-3 games.”
He went further saying, “It’s a little backyard court that has competition standards to help you in developing your skills before you hit the big courts in Maligaya, or the Municipality court.”
His hope… “Maybe one of these days a couple of standouts from El Nido will grace the courts of the nations biggest stage, the Philippine Basketball Association.”
What can others do?
Jimmy isn’t one to ask for favors and after at the end of our chat I asked what he thought others could do. His response,”I think just do the same for their community or barangay.”
Plans for a league?
Moving forward Jimmy’s not planning a lot with the community in Cabigsing as he wants to keep things simple. It’s part of why he moved to the island.
He definitely wants to keep things local, “I might have a 2-on-2 tourney by the beginning March and they (can) win stuff from the PBA like a ball, bag or shirt. Something to keep them motivated.”
Find Jimmy
Check Jimmy out at his spot Hapi Tumi or at any of the bars he’s DJing!
