LEWIS ALFRED “LA” TENORIO remains active in worthy projects outside of basketball amid his twice-a-month trip to Singapore for chemotherapy.
Just recently, Tenorio helmed the pilot episode of San Miguel Corp.’s (SMC) newest vlog “Sa’n Si Miguel.”
The new vlog, which aims to engage the audience and provide information on SMC’s numerous projects in support of nation-building, provided him a rare chance to showcase to fans the many things SMC does, apart from beverage and food brands that are bywords in the PBA.
“I want to help San Miguel Corp. promote its worthy projects and investments in the whole country, at least to the fans who follow me [on social media],” Tenorio said. “SMC isn’t only food and beverages, the conglomerate is into tollways and airport [Bulacan] and agro-industrial complexes that aren’t only investments but provide livelihood to thousands of Filipinos.”
“On top of providing Filipinos happiness in terms of basketball, there are so many important things that SMC and Boss RSA [Ramon S. Ang] are doing to make the lives of our countrymen better.”
Like many other sports personalities, Tenorio became more active in the digital sphere during the pandemic when most people stayed at home and were glued to their phones and gadgets.
The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel guard maintains accounts on Facebook (190,000 followers), Instagram (268,392 followers), Twitter (156,136 followers) and Youtube (26,100 followers).
These numbers are enough to make him one of the most followed athletes in the country and also among players in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Tenorio said an athlete’s responsibility is not only to play his best every game, but also to constantly interact with fans.
“Social media plays a major role for us athletes to communicate and interact with them,” he said. “I get the opportunity to impart my insights and anything inside and outside of sports.”
Tenorio said that supporting “Sa’n Si Miguel” is one for him to express his gratitude to RSA for his support during his illness.
“I am very grateful to Boss RSA for having me at Ginebra for more than a decade now,” he said. “That, for me, is the best thing that happened to my basketball career.”
“From the start, Boss RSA’s there, and Boss Al Chua [Ginebra governor], too, who checks on me everynow and then and tell me to focus on my treatment,” said Tenorio, 38, who’s diagnosed with colon cancer. “For now, I help the team as one of the assistant coaches, giving pointers to the players.”
Tenorio said that he can’t wait to complete the treatments so he can actively prepare for his return to the PBA.
“Every two weeks, I seek treatment [in Singapore]. It’s a long process but I’m feeling positive because of the positive feedback from my doctors,” he said. “And of course, prayers for my recovery from my family and Ginebra and San Miguel family and fans.”
“My body, my spirit wants me to play,” he said. “When we made the Finals [Commissioners’ Cup] the last time, I really wanted to play. Thank God I can do that come October, when treatment is over.”