Community
Feb 28, 2025
As the sun sets over Sta. Cruz, Manila, the rooftop of Manila Central Adventist Elementary School still echoes with the lively sounds of pickleball. Children gather on the court each evening, practicing their serves and chasing down volleys, carrying on what has become a growing passion in their community. Though their coach, 66-year-old Filipino-American Gelfie Napoles, has since returned to the United States, the program he started lives on—along with the dream that brought him home.
“I dreamed that I was playing pickleball in a poor neighborhood in the Philippines,” Napoles recalled. “It was a short dream, but when I woke up, something inside me said, ‘I’m really going to do this.’”
And he did. After retiring from his job as an X-ray technician in Los Angeles, Napoles traveled to Manila in February, determined to bring pickleball to underprivileged children who might never have the chance to play. What began as a simple idea grew into a thriving community effort, with local kids meeting daily to learn the sport on a borrowed rooftop court.
(Photo Source: https://www.facebook.com/100064957951102/photos/1096958559146066/)
A Sport for All
In a sport often seen as accessible only to those who can afford high-end gear and club memberships, Napoles wanted to make sure these kids felt it belonged to them, too.
“I have friends in America who say pickleball is for rich people because they’re the ones who can afford $200 paddles,” Napoles said. “But it should be for everyone. In the U.S., a lot of successful athletes came from humble beginnings. Who knows—maybe one of these kids could become a champion one day.”
With help from his network of friends and fellow pickleball players back in the U.S., Napoles gathered donated paddles, balls, and a net. Soon, he had everything he needed to launch free lessons, transforming an ordinary school rooftop into a training ground for new talent.
A Tournament to Remember
Napoles’ time in Manila wrapped up with a tournament on February 27th, a special event marking the end of his stay and celebrating the progress the children had made. For many of the players, it was their first time competing in an organized match—a moment of pride, excitement, and proof of how far they’d come.
Fourteen-year-old Jake Inacay, one of the thirty kids Napoles trained, still feels inspired by his coach’s dedication.
“He’s really energetic,” Jake said. “Even when my shots go far, he still chases after them.”
And while Napoles has returned to the U.S., his impact remains.
(Photo Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1096958552479400&set=pcb.1096958632479392)
The Program Continues
Thanks to the support of the Manila Central Adventist Church, which owns the school’s rooftop court, the pickleball program didn’t end with Napoles’ departure.
“There’s someone from the church who’s helping teach so the kids can keep improving,” said John Michael Nakila, who assists with the program. “From what I’ve seen, they’re really committed to learning the game.”
For Nakila, pickleball has become more than just a sport for these kids—it’s become a positive alternative to the usual routines of hanging out in the streets or spending hours on their phones.
“I think this is a really good way to redirect their attention to something healthy and productive,” he said.
More Than Just a Game
For Napoles, the time he spent in Manila was about more than just teaching pickleball. It was about planting a seed of hope.
“It gives them hope,” he said. “It gives them motivation—that feeling that you can play this sport and become somebody.”
Now, even from across the ocean, Napoles’ dream continues to thrive. On that rooftop in Manila, the next generation keeps swinging, playing, and believing—one rally at a time.
