SHARING his blessings to less unfortunate children in Barangay Napaliko, Marahan in Marilog District, Davao City and playing touch rugby football with the SOS Children's Village kids here were James Halasan Ryan's ways of giving back to Dabawenyos who have welcomed him with open arms since he started playing for the city in several Batang Pinoy regional and national championships in recent years.
The 17-year-old Filipino-British Ryan, who played for Team Roscoe along with Jennifer Rossal, Novy Luna, Bhenjun Labajo, James Mark Sarona and Roscoe Hans Rivero in the 2nd SOS Christmas Touch Rugby Tournament at the SOS Children's Village Davao last Monday, said: "I had a great experience with the kids. I loved playing with them. It was such a pleasure and I'm sure everybody had a fun experience."
His squad, however, lost to Team Elven, 1-3, in the under-18 championship match. The latter leaned on Bal Bande (fourth minute), Tonton Ronquillo (12th minute) and Elven Flores (27th minute) while Roscoe's lone scorer was Rossal who made a try in the 20th.
Team Elven, which grabbed the top spot after the single round robin eliminations with a two-win and one-draw record, was also composed of Rea Mae Geolingo, Angelie Krista Hifume, Emil Farinas and Emman Farinas.
Meanwhile, Jimboy Lapasaran saved the day for Team KIB, scoring a try in the 14th minute in extra time to clinch the under-12 crown over Team Lala in the holiday event that attracted some 50 players.
Philippine Rugby Football Union regional development officer Blessie Kate delos Santos said the Christmas rugby event is a brainchild of the Batang Pinoy Rugby athletes who wanted to spend the holidays on a positive note and "give back" to the SOS Children's Village Davao where they spent most of their preparations for their Batang Pinoy 2016 National Championships stint. The Davao City girls team won the gold medal while the boys team annexed the silver.
The tournament was backed up by SOS Children's Village Davao, Fe Halasan Ryan and family, Eldie and Ruby Halasan's family and Davao Durians Rugby Football Club.
Ryan, who is vacationing in Davao City after playing for the Philippine Under-19 Junior Volcanoes in the 2016 Asia Rugby U19 Division 1 Championship at the International School of Manila held December 14 and 17, also held a pre-Christmas gift-giving mission last week in Marahan.
He bought 100 burgers for Napaliko kids and apples for 150 children who arrived from another village.
Ryan will rejoin his parents Edward, a British scientist, and Fe, a Dabawenya nurse, when he leaves on Friday in time for the family's New Year's Eve celebration.