Rey Nambatac channeled his nature-lover side during the 2026 PBA All-Star festivities in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.
CANDON CITY, ILOCOS SUR — For Rey Nambatac, the PBA’s tree planting activity during the 2026 All-Star Weekend hit close to home.
As trivial as it was to some, Nambatac said tree planting was the most meaningful thing he has done so far here.
“Pinaka meaningful sa’kin so far is yung tree planting,” he told One Sports.
“Although more on basketball side tayo, di pa rin natin nakakalimutan yung Mother Earth naitn.”
Asked to elaborate, the TNT star bared it was an activity he used to share with his father growing up.
Nambatac’s father is a retired Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) employee.
“Nung maliit ako, sumasama kasi ako sa erpat ko. Since erpat ko retired sya sa DENR so may ano rin ako may idea sa tree planting,” said the Cagayan de Oro native.
“Nag flashback lahat nung bata ako nung nag tree planting kami. Nung nalaman ko nga na may tree planting, na-excite ako.”
Nambatac added this his nature activities with his father came before he was all-in with basketball, making the Candon activity a nice convergence of his past and present.
“Nung time na yun, di pa ako varsity player. Marami pa akong oras,” said the former TNT Finals MVP, who admitted always trying to find time to come close to nature in between PBA conferences to recharge.
“So pag may time ako sumasama ako sa erpat ko, dinadala niya ako sa bundok, mag tree planting kami.”
Is it something he intends to do after his PBA career comes to a close?
Nambatac answered in the affirmative.
“In the future siguro possible na mag organize ako ng program since may idea naman din ako. For sure naman tutulungan ako ng tatay ko,” he said.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.