The Dream Team: Benjie, Kobe and André Paras 

With Kobe Paras’ recent admission to Jesuit college Creighton University in Nebraska after his controversial withdrawal from the University of California, Los Angeles, the Paras men have finally regained peace of mind. Throughout the whole ordeal, brothers Kobe and André and legend of a dad Benjie showed everyone what it was like to be family — what truly matters most at the end of the day.

To those that need reminding, Venancio Johnson Paras Jr., better known as Benjie Paras was recognized as both “Rookie of the Year” and “Most Valuable Player” in 1989 in a single season and received many other dazzling awards until his early retirement in 2003 due to an injury and a  desire to spend time with his  young family.

Those who had perhaps missed Benjie’s caging career surely must have caught him when he moved into show business. His rip-roaring dunks have now been replaced by razor-sharp wit and humor. These days, however, Benjie is becoming familiar to the young crowd again—as father to basketball players (and budding celebrities) André and Kobe Paras.

Like father

Benjie was first discovered at 13 by a basketball coach who witnessed the precocious young lad playing in the barangay (village) league. “He asked me if I was interested to play for a good school,” Benjie begins. “I replied: ‘Yes, I am very interested’.” The talent coach then asked Benjie to go to San Beda and show the business card he gave him to the coach.

In 2003, he retired, which he admits to be premature at the time. “I could have played for another four years, but I needed to stop because of my injury.” At the time, he already had four surgeries. “I told myself that I needed to play with my kids. They were five and seven years old then.” After a few years, the decision found itself to be a wise one, with the family all playing basketball in the park. “For me, that’s an accomplishment.”

Like sons

It was inevitable, then, for his kids to pick up the sport. “I was six or seven years old,” recalls the 6’4” older brother André about the first time he got interested in basketball. “We had been playing basketball, but when we moved to our townhouse, there was a court that was just a minute’s walk away. That’s when I fell in love with the sport. Dad allowed us to go out and just play basketball from morning until night.

“(There was) no pressure to be like him,” continues the baby-faced young man. “People were telling me that since I am going to play basketball, they were pretty sure I would be the one to beat Dad’s record. Anak ka ni Paras so dapat magaling ka (You’re a child of Paras so you should be good). Dad said not to mind them; we play differently. We had a long talk about it. Every day, I reminded him that I was not good at this; I couldn’t beat him. He said I don’t have to beat him. I just have to play my game and show that I love the sport.”

On the other hand, the 6’5”, younger, 18-year-old Kobe took up the sport in Grade 2. “In sixth grade, people said I was just on the team because I was tall. They were asking me why I wouldn’t show more in the team. It’s not my fault that I’m tall,” he chuckles. But by the Seventh Grade, Kobe started to lead the team. Kobe continued to grow and mature, fully embracing his love for the game during his freshman year in high school.

Education is key

Once a student-athlete, Benjie has consistently reminded his brood about the value of education. “After signing with my team, I called my mom in Australia and told her, ‘Mom, they gave me an advance payment for my contract. It’s a big amount. Do you want me to buy you anything’?” To Benjie’s surprise, the only thing his mother wanted was a diploma.

He was persistent. “I told her, ‘Mom, money na lang’ because I really wanted to stop school. But I followed what she wanted. When I graduated, my family all went home to see me get my diploma.”

Kobe and Andre are facing the same temptations and are making the same decisions now, and it’s not any easier. “It’s hard because your focus is halved between studies and basketball,” explains Kobe.

“We realize that we really have to balance it. We prioritize being students because grades are more important, and basketball is not forever,” say the handsome siblings. “Dad says dapat mabuti ang pag-aaral para mas mabuti ang paglalaro (doing well in studies enables you to do good while playing).”

“I always tell them that they can earn a good amount—as an actor or a basketball player. You won’t need an education to become rich,” shares Benjie. “But finishing your studies and getting your diploma—that’s the best gift that you can give yourself and to us (parents). You need to have pride.”

Living in the limelight

The sons are no longer ordinary kids, especially  after having captured the spotlight. Benjie’s advice to them: “You should always attend to your fans and be nice. They’re the reason why you’re there—why you’re famous.”

Discipline in the Paras household, Benjie reports, is via his wife, the former Lyxen Diomampo. Although she is not their biological mother, Lyxen is fondly called “Mom” by André and Kobe. “Dad is really strict,” André confirms. “But when it comes to school, sleeping early, (managing our) phone bills, texting at night, it’s really Mom.”

“When it comes to being a father figure, he’s really strict,” André says of his dad. “He’s a different person. I am really afraid of him. When I go out with friends, Mom gives me until 2 a.m. to go home. But I am home by 9:30 or 10 p.m. because Dad might get mad. We don’t go over the limit.”

Like their father’s unbeatable records, the Paras sons want to pave their own way into the hall of fame. And from the way they’re playing their game, it looks like the Paras family is the team to beat.

(By JOYCE REYES AGUILA | Photography by TAMMY DAVID | PeopleAsia October – November 2014)

Share on Facebook

Tweet