Mary Joy Dacoron was one of the unexpected personalities at Lester Prosper’s community outreach program last Aug. 19. Since the event was basketball-centered, her presence came as a surprise—at least initially.

When given the chance to approach the PVL player, Joy explained why she was at Prosper’s event. It turns out she wanted to observe how the former PBA import carried out his advocacy because she also has one of her own.

“I was told by Sir Paul Ycasas to come. I’m very into grassroots programs, and he told me that there was a basketball court put up in Pandacan, Manila. I told him I wanted to go because maybe I could connect volleyball and basketball,” the Petro Gazz middle blocker said in Tagalog.

Dacoron explained that her cause is geared more towards kids and their mothers. She feels that this is the way to properly promote volleyball and help others learn about the sport as a whole.

“I believe that without the support of the mom, they will not know volleyball,“ the 29-year-old Cebuana added.

Joy wants to inspire kids to succeed

Dacoron admits that being a professional volleyball player in the big league is a blessing. This makes it easier for her target audience to recognize her when she holds clinics.

Moreover, the opportunity allows her to share her rags-to-riches story. Like many, Joy admits she had to work hard to get to where she is today. By keeping her faith and determination, she believes her resilience will inspire kids who are going through similar struggles.

“I can share my story that I came from nothing. With me reaching out, they will be given hope that at some point, they will reach success,” the former Adamson Lady Falcon said.

Dacoron clarified that her advocacy is not about her but about the sport. As far as she is concerned, the main goal is to promote the sport and to learn from it.

“The sport will be the ambassador of the community. I want them to be more familiar with it. Once I am able to introduce them to volleyball, the learning process begins. It is about idolizing the sport and not players, and this is something that can only be done through learning,” Joy stressed.

Crediting the people behind the scenes

Joy admits that pushing through with her advocacy wasn’t easy. Initially, she was part of Nicole Tiamzon’s Spike and Serve, an initiative that has grown immensely.

At the time, Dacoron admitted that she lacked the confidence to start something like that on her own. But after getting her connections in order as well as guidance from the right people, Joy is ready to execute her advocacy.

“Now that I have my connections, I feel I am on the right track. I am confident that I can be an influence, thanks to my PVL and pageantry stints. I want to influence kids and motivate them to see that anything is possible in life if you work for it through learning,” she said.

“My motivation is, if it is your time then it is your time. It is my drive to become better since I know that it will be a reflection of the person who I am and who I want to be in the future,” Dacoron added.

So aside from her commitment to Petro Gazz, Joy hopes her volleyball advocacy also gets off the ground. She admits that she picked up a thing or two from the Lester Prosper Foundation Inc. outreach last August 19.

It will now be a matter of execution for the beauty queen and volleybelle, who admitted she will have busy days ahead. That is hardly a problem for Joy since it is something she is bent on accomplishing.