{"id":193872,"date":"2019-01-03T21:33:40","date_gmt":"2019-01-04T02:33:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=193872"},"modified":"2019-01-03T21:33:40","modified_gmt":"2019-01-04T02:33:40","slug":"jr-gallarza-fulfilling-a-basketball-players-teaching-dream","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2019\/01\/03\/jr-gallarza-fulfilling-a-basketball-players-teaching-dream\/","title":{"rendered":"JR Gallarza: Fulfilling a basketball player\u2019s teaching dream"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
JR Gallarza with then two year-old son, Reinen (Supplied)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bright lights, surrounded by cameras, and bleachers filled with people screaming your name – for an aspiring professional basketball player, this is the dream. You\u2019re in the middle of one of the biggest venues in the country, wearing the State University\u2019s jersey with pride. Ball in hand, degree completed, you realize that this is what you\u2019ve always wanted to pursue, or is it?<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the question that Canadian-born JR Gallarza had to face upon graduating from the University of the Philippines (UP), after years of representing his school in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP). He had it all in the works for himself to become a professional basketball player but chose to step away from that dream because home really remained in the quaint town of Brantford, Ontario.<\/p>\n

From Brantford<\/strong><\/p>\n

JR grew up with first-generation immigrant parents Reynaldo and Rosalinda from Pampanga, admitting that they initially \u201cstruggled\u201d to adjust upon arriving in Canada. \u201cThey would tell me stories about how hard it was for them immigrating. From losing multiple jobs at the worst times to having to do jobs they didn\u2019t necessarily like,\u201d even recalling how his parents had to once face losing their jobs as soon as they had enough to pay for a home, leaving them with only $100 Canadian dollars left in their bank account.<\/p>\n

With that, JR had to face the \u201cpros and cons\u201d in growing up in a predominantly Caucasian\u00a0community as well.<\/p>\n

Initially, JR couldn\u2019t even understand English as his parents raised his household to speak Filipino and Kapampangan, so when attending Kindergarten, he was not responsive to the people around him. He laughs, \u201cFunny story, my parents actually got called into the principal\u2019s office because I didn\u2019t speak to anyone. So, the teacher and principal asked my parents to speak to me in only English.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although JR was aware that he didn\u2019t look like the people around him, he decided to use that to his advantage. \u201cMy dad would always tell me that if I were to do anything bad, or the same \u2018bad thing\u2019 my friends were, I would most likely be the one to get more of the blame because I stick out more.\u201d However, that did not stop him from being himself, claiming, \u201cthat was true,\u201d but he liked sticking out, \u201cI would use my \u2018exotic look\u2019 to my advantage at times as the outgoing person I was in school,\u201d he shared.<\/p>\n

And \u2018sticking out\u2019 did work in his favor, as JR was recognized for being exceptional in basketball at a young age. At the age of four, he began participating in a house league, but he says he \u201cnever looked back after that and other sports or activities never really interested [him] the way basketball did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBasketball truly had my heart. I also stood out more when it came to accomplishments and being on the basketball court in Canada [because of my race].\u201d<\/p>\n

To Manila<\/b><\/p>\n

When he was in the 11th grade, JR and his basketball teammates visited the Philippines, where he \u201cfell in love with the lifestyle\u201d and soon received offers to play in Filipino universities.<\/p>\n

\u201cWake up, workout, class, practice, games, fans, the lights and camera, the repetition, I loved it all,\u201d he adds, saying that their visit came at a perfect time because tuition in Canada was too pricey and he wanted to seek out other options.<\/p>\n

Although his dad Rey and mom Linda worked modest jobs as a bus driver and factory worker,
\nwhich are \u201chigher scale standard jobs in Canada over the Philippines,\u201d JR wanted to relieve his parents from the financial responsibility by using his talents to acquire a scholarship. With an interest in studying Education, his program cost around $30,000 – $40,000 Canadian dollars if he remained in Ontario.<\/p>\n

Staying in Manila<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
JR graduates Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Education from University of the Philippines. (Supplied)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

JR was actually a Green Archer when he first moved to the Philippines, until he decided to pursue his studies at UP, where he took up Elementary Education.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a beautiful struggle at UP. Both on and off the court. They really made me earn my diploma and Magna honours- they made me earn my maroon stripes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two years into his studies, JR hit a curveball, which eventually gave him a sense of purpose. At the age of 19, he found out that he would become a father to his son Reinen.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe birth of my son changed everything but in the best way. It made life 100x more difficult, but he\u2019s worth it and more. Reinen came two years after I was in the Philippines and with that being said, I was halfway finished school. So, he and I just had to hang in there to be together again.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the next two years, JR watched his son grow up in his parents\u2019 household through endless amounts of video calls while he continued to pursue what he started – a collegiate basketball career and obtaining an Education degree. With his basketball skills, he soon became a crowd favorite for the Fighting Maroon fans, who were looking for a win after 27 loses. And after 720 days since UP has tasted victory, JR became the second-highest pointer for the game that finally had his school celebrating with a bonfire.<\/p>\n

As he enjoyed the attention of being an athlete with magazine features, brand deals, and a bigger social media following, JR shares that his priorities always focused on academics.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had to earn my parents\u2019 trust each semester because of Reinen coming unexpectedly, so I had to show them I wasn\u2019t just goofing around in the Philippines by showing them my grades and doing my best on the court.\u201d<\/p>\n

Because of \u201cthe promise\u201d he made to his parents of \u201ckeeping the scholarship\u201d he has been blessed with and \u201cto make the sacrifice worth it,\u201d JR successfully juggled going to-and-from practice to class, eventually graduating Magna Cum Laude in his major. He was even awarded during the Spin.ph Sportsman of the Year ceremony for the category Sportsmen who Excelled Academically.<\/p>\n

On what he learned in going to one of the toughest universities in the country, JR states, \u201cFrom stressing to set up the perfect class schedule around basketball, to stressing to get to class, to stressing when actually being in class, to stressing about class when going to games (I brought homework to the locker rooms in extreme cases or hide work on my phone so I didn’t look distracted)…I really learned how to breathe and be still and to take things one step at a time, one task at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n

With national recognition for breaking the odds of an athlete\u2019s inability to focus on school as well, JR was also predicted to be one of the top picks for the upcoming Philippine Basketball Association Draft. The odds were all in his favor and what he had established himself as for the past few years he\u2019s been in the country were a dream come true. However, something was missing – which led to an aching feeling and a sense of depression.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And back to Brantford<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
ROLE has been running since 2016 and has trained over 250 athletes. (Supplied)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite the opportunities to build success in the Philippines, JR says that his reason for returning to Canada was a no-brainer.<\/p>\n

\u201cReinen. 100% hands down, my son. He was about to turn four and start kindergarten and I just had to suck it up and decide to go home to my son. I told myself that I had a good run with basketball, but it was now my responsibility to provide a life where my son can grow up having dreams – and I help him reach them.\u201d<\/p>\n

From overflowing directions in Manila to an empty hand in Canada, initially moving from the glitz and glam to a more simple life took a strain in JR\u2019s mental and emotional health. A lot of occupations and masteral schools in Canada did not credit a Philippine university diploma, despite its Magna Cum Laude status.<\/p>\n

He says, \u201cThey were telling me it would be a one-year process just to review my papers, and another two to three years of school most likely.\u201d<\/p>\n

Not knowing what to do, he decided to take a leap of faith.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just felt lost for a span of months and would literally be in tears contemplating what was next in my life. I gave up chasing a pro basketball career to be in Canada, I had this woman that supported me in everything,\u201d referring to his now-fianc\u00e9, Holly Wolf, whom he met just three weeks before moving back to Canada and was coincidentally based in Toronto, \u201cand I just wanted to be able to provide for her, and of course I had this beautiful boy that needed his dad to be a provider.\u201d<\/p>\n

He continues, \u201cMy parents were pushing me to go back to school and I was very against that. I hated school to be honest. More so after the news that was broken to me, so I stepped back and typed in, \u2018How to start a business\u2019 on Google.\u201d<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s where his business ROLE came about, a training camp that promotes \u201cconfidence building and leadership development\u201d while also focusing on \u201cskill development and fitness development\u201d in the sport of basketball.<\/p>\n

The brand, which was created in February 2016 states on its website: \u201cRole is named and built on the foundation that with all of his life experiences, Coach JR Gallarza has never really been a \u201csuperstar\u201d. He was always a \u2018role player\u2019 who played with heart and integrity. These attributes created amazing highs in his life that he now hopes to share with others.\u201d<\/p>\n

With this, JR was able to find a profession that combines his love for basketball and passion for teaching.<\/p>\n

\u201cI graduated as a teacher and I have so much love and respect for teachers, but I personally couldn’t do what they did on an everyday basis. Although I fell out of love with teaching in a classroom, I still love educating and empowering our youth, which is why I do it in our unique way now with basketball skill training and holistic development.\u201d<\/p>\n

ROLE has been successfully running for more than two years, with JR and his coaching staff working with 250+ athletes. Starting with elementary students and younger, they have expanded to various ages and fitness levels and one of their trainees even recently received a sports scholarship offer.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a person, as a business, as a family man- growth is number one. I just want to keep helping our athletes chase and reach their goals, be the best father and fianc\u00e9 I can be, and just keep living a positive lifestyle.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the age of 26, JR currently lives in the same humble home he grew up in that his parents purchased years ago, yet, just a few months ago, he announced accomplishing another milestone – buying his own house with fianc\u00e9 Holly, where they will soon live with six year-old Reinen and dog Kovu.<\/p>\n

Back to the Philippines (someday)<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
With fiance Holly Wolf, who he hopes he moves back to the Philippines with someday. (photo supplied)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite finding his identity in Canada and stabilizing his life, JR shares that the Philippines still remains constantly in his thoughts.<\/p>\n

\u201cHolly and I actually plan on getting married there! It will be a small destination wedding and one she agreed to plan around the UAAP season for me so Reinen and I can watch UP play. But that will be for after our home is finished and my business is more steady.\u201d<\/p>\n

He elaborates even possibly relocating to \u201cthe country that made his dreams come true\u201d in the future.<\/p>\n

\u201cHolly and I talk about actually living on a beach or just traveling for a year there once Reinen is finished high school. So definitely a possibility for us in the future! Honestly, life is too beautiful to be stressed and worried about what’s supposed to come next. Our backup plan is to literally just eat mangoes and coconuts all day somewhere on Palawan.\u201d<\/p>\n

On whether he identifies being a Canadian or a Filipino more, JR says that he \u201cidentifies with the other one more when [he\u2019s] in the opposite country.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know I stand-out in one way or another when I’m in Canada and when I’m in the Philippines – so I just try and own it. I’m a 6’3″ – 6’4″ moreno Filipino with a ‘Canadian accent’ and has a slang that turns on and off every now and then. In Canada I stand out by how I look, in the Philippines, I stand-out by how I sound and carry myself. Race aside, I just hope I’m doing all of my people proud by being the best human I can be.\u201d<\/p>\n

And amidst the crazy rollercoaster of finding stability in one location, looking back at the highs and lows, he shares the mindset that kept him persevering and keeping his priorities straight.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am so thankful for my past, good or bad, as it has made me appreciate what I have today and tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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