02/20/2026
Today we want to begin by saying this clearly.
We understand that leadership at every level must make difficult decisions. Budgets are real. Priorities must be balanced. There are many needs within a community, and we respect the efforts of those doing their best within those realities. This is not about blame. This is not about politics. It is about support. It is about solutions. And it is about protecting the dreams of our youth.
Now, here is why this matters.
We recently had one swimmer qualify for Regionals. Our track team also had two runners qualify for Regionals. They earned those spots during their Provincial meets. They stood on the podium. They were officially informed that they qualified for MIMAROPA. In that moment, their hard work was validated.
Unfortunately, due to budgetary constraints, they were later cut from participation.
It is not a child’s fault when budgets fall short. These young athletes worked incredibly hard and earned their place. To have that opportunity taken away after qualifying is a difficult reality that many grassroots athletes face.
And our boys from San Agustin were not the only ones affected. Other children across the province experienced the same situation. Dreams that had just begun to grow were suddenly paused. Dreams that could lead to college scholarships. Dreams that could lead to national teams. Dreams that could open doors far beyond what we can see today.
Do we realize how important Regional participation is on an athlete’s resume?
It can be the stepping stone to national selection.
It can strengthen college scholarship opportunities.
It can spark a lifelong path in sports, coaching, leadership, or education.
It can begin the cycle where one athlete becomes the mentor who gives back to the next generation.
Grassroots programming is essential. It is not just another activity. When opportunities are removed, it impacts more than one competition. Not every child comes back the following year believing that even if they qualify and work hard, the opportunity will truly happen.
The months of training matter.
The discipline to maintain academic eligibility matters.
The time sacrificed with family and friends matters.
The effort of coaches, trainers, educators, and parents to get these kids to the starting line matters.
So we did what we could do.
When Zone2YourJourney put out a call for help, you answered.
We also want to be transparent. Zone2YourJourney does not rely solely on donations to operate. A portion of the coaching we provide to our paying clients directly supports our grassroots efforts. Our model has always been to reinvest into the youth first. When we put out a call for help, it is not to sustain us, but to protect opportunities for the athletes. We believe in shared responsibility, shared impact, and shared success.
It was a race to raise 25,000 pesos for one child. Within 12 hours, we raised enough for all three.
That is community.
That is unity.
That is grassroots in action.
We want to give special thanks to our generous individual donors who have been instrumental in standing with these children. We acknowledge all of you who have been long term investors in our nonprofit and in the lives of these young athletes. Your continued belief in grassroots development is what allows programs like ours to exist.
To the donors we reached out to in the last 12 hours who responded immediately and sent support, thank you for moving quickly and trusting the mission.
To our angel donors who gave quietly without notification, and to those who prefer to remain anonymous, please know that your generosity speaks volumes.
To those who could not donate at this time but shared the call, spread the word, and amplified our message, your support mattered just as much. Your energy pushed this movement forward.
We also want to acknowledge the San Agustin Athletic Association, especially those who were sleepless with us during this process. Ma’am Crisale Festada, Sir Oli Zednilag, and Sir Randy Faigmane, thank you for standing in the gap with us and for your unwavering commitment to these athletes.
As our program continues to grow, so does the responsibility to protect more dreams.
Zone2YourJourney has expanded beyond swimming into athletics and other equally important sports because talent exists in many forms. Opportunity should not be limited to one lane, one track, or one discipline.
We are a registered nonprofit organization committed to building structured, sustainable grassroots programs. As the number of athletes under our guidance increases, so does the need for long term partners who believe in equal access to opportunity.
If you would like to be part of expanding this movement and helping more deserving athletes this year, we invite you to reach out to us. Whether through sponsorship, partnership, mentorship, or financial support, there are many ways to stand with these children.
The dreams are growing. So are we.
This is how we protect dreams.
This is how we build futures.
This is how we create the cycle of giving back.
With gratitude,
Zone2YourJourney 💙
