The idea for BATA SOLE was inspired after my brother and I visited our family’s birthplace in the Philippines in 2012. While we explored my mother’s village, Casilagan, in the Pangasinan province, we were immediately in shock and awe, and heartbroken to see the poor living conditions for the children. We came across a worn-down basketball court and noticed the kids did not even have shoes to play. Despite the circumstances, though, a high-spirited basketball game was being played. The energy was electric, and I saw the love for the game stronger than ever. The next day, we decided to throw the kids a basketball tournament, and the winner would score my pair of black and gold Kobe 7s. We had a large turn out, and it was riveting to see the community come together. A kid scored an impossible 3-pointer to end the match, and he rode off victorious in a crowd of cheers and camaraderie. My mother and late-father worked hard to provide my brother and I a fortuitous upbringing, and I want to give back to the less fortunate. Bata Sole aims to collect and distribute new and used athletic shoe wear to impoverished communities to ensure and provide the basic conditions needed for wellness and exercise.
