As a longtime basketball enthusiast who's been following both the NBA and local Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed firsthand how the landscape of basketball fandom has transformed in our country. When I first started watching NBA games back in 2010, we had to rely on delayed broadcasts and grainy online streams that would buffer at the most crucial moments of the game. Fast forward to today, and the experience has completely revolutionized - we now have multiple platforms offering crystal-clear live streams of every single NBA game, often with Filipino commentary options that make the experience feel uniquely ours. The NBA's presence in the Philippines has grown exponentially, with the league recognizing our nation's undying passion for basketball - after all, we're talking about a country where you can't walk two blocks without seeing someone shooting hoops, whether it's in a fancy court or using a makeshift ring nailed to a tree.
The real game-changer for Filipino NBA fans has been the accessibility of live games through various streaming services. I personally subscribe to NBA League Pass, which costs me around $100 annually but gives me access to every single game - that's approximately 1,230 regular season games plus the entire playoffs. What makes this particularly valuable for Philippine viewers is the scheduling - with the time difference, I often wake up early to catch the second half of live games happening stateside, creating this unique ritual that bonds Filipino NBA fans together. The local television coverage has also improved dramatically, with networks like ABS-CBN and TV5 dedicating significant airtime to NBA programming, including pre-game and post-game shows featuring local analysts who understand both the NBA and how Filipino fans perceive the game.
Beyond the digital experience, the NBA has been actively creating physical touchpoints here in the Philippines through various local events. Just last year, I attended the NBA Store pop-up at SM Megamall where they had authentic jerseys - including limited edition Filipino Heritage editions - and interactive basketball challenges. The league has hosted viewing parties at various locations across Metro Manila that drew crowds of over 3,000 fans per event, creating this electric atmosphere that almost makes you forget you're watching from halfway across the world. These events aren't just limited to Manila either - I've seen NBA activities in Cebu, Davao, and even provincial areas, which demonstrates the league's commitment to engaging with fans across the entire archipelago.
This brings me to an interesting dynamic between international and local basketball that I've observed throughout my years following the sport. The Philippine Basketball Association remains our homegrown league with its own unique flavor and passionate following, yet there's always been this fascinating interplay between the PBA and global basketball influences. I remember conversations with fellow fans about how the PBA board approaches applications from players with NBA experience wanting to join our local league - there's this delicate balance between maintaining the PBA's distinct identity while acknowledging the appeal that NBA-tested players bring to the table. From what I've gathered through various sources, the PBA board has historically been quite selective, approving only about 60% of applications from foreign players with NBA backgrounds over the past five years, though my personal opinion is that they could be more open to these cross-pollination opportunities.
What truly excites me about the current state of NBA fandom in the Philippines is how it's evolved beyond mere consumption to active participation. Through the Jr. NBA program, I've seen young Filipino talents develop their skills with NBA-level coaching, with several participants eventually making their way to collegiate basketball and even the PBA. The NBA has conducted over 50 youth development programs here since 2007, directly impacting more than 20,000 young athletes across the country. As someone who regularly plays in local recreational leagues, I've noticed how the strategies and playing styles we see in the NBA gradually trickle down to our local courts - the emphasis on three-point shooting and positionless basketball that dominates the modern NBA has definitely influenced how we approach the game here in the Philippines.
Looking ahead, I'm particularly optimistic about the continued growth of NBA engagement in our country. The league has been experimenting with augmented reality features that could potentially allow Filipino fans to experience games in more immersive ways, and there are persistent rumors about preseason games possibly being held here in the near future. While we basketball purists will always appreciate the game itself, it's this combination of technological accessibility and genuine community-building efforts that makes being an NBA fan in the Philippines such a rewarding experience today. The passion that Filipinos have for basketball is undeniable, and the NBA's strategic efforts to cultivate that passion have created this beautiful synergy that benefits both the league and Filipino basketball culture as a whole.
People in Motion (PiM) is our employee advocacy and improvement program. These cross-functional groups are comprised of employees, with an executive sponsor, who contribute ideas and drive action towards focused areas of improvement across the employee experience. The groups include: Kyruus Kontext & Business Readiness; Community, Connectivity, & Engagement; System, Tools, & Productivity; IDEA [Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility].
As a remote-first company, we are invested in employees creating a work setup that allows them to do their best work. In addition to a laptop, we also provide you with $750 to get the additional equipment you need and add an ongoing amount of $1,200 to your salary to cover remote work costs.
We value ownership at Kyruus Health, not only in the work you do but in the shared financial success from our growth. Employees will have the opportunity to grow their equity ownership throughout their tenure.
We care about creating the time you need to bond for any team members at Kyruus Health growing their families. We offer 8 weeks of fully paid leave to all parents. Birthing parents are also eligible for additional time and coverage through our Short-Term Disability plan.
We encourage all employees to save for retirement through our 401(K) plan. Employees have the option to begin contributing to their accounts on their first day of employment and we offer an employer match of up to $1,500 per calendar year for all employees who enroll.
We offer employees a lifestyle stipend of $2,000 per year to help them be well. This is designed for Kyruus Health to offset the cost for items, experiences, or home expenses that enhance team members’ well-being
We want to provide employees and families with health insurance offerings to support them getting the care they need. Our health, dental, and vision plans are desiged to allow employees the opportunity to choose options that work best for themselves and their families.
We are committed to flexibility and empowering employees to do work that matters in a way that works for them. Our unlimited PTO policy is anchored on that flexibility – encouraging employees to take time off for what’s important to them, in addition to the many company holidays we celebrate. To highlight our commitment to a healthy work-life balance, we provide a specific stipend each quarter for employees to use on a recharge day.
