PSC Chair Ramirez promotes peace

ATENEO – “Physical education and sports development is a basic as health care and children”, says Mr. William “Butch” Ramirez, Philippine Sports Commissioner, in a forum last September 12 at F511, 3:40 pm. It was participated by the advertising and journalism class of Ms. Galang, Political Science students and guests.

Mr. Ramirez addresses the audience in a calm manner as he stresses out every bit detail promoting peace in Mindanao. That through sport, we can attain peace, not only in Mindanao but also for ourselves. “Sport is the best school in life. It can help us manage victory and defeat. Most of all, we learn to love others – our opponents and teammates.”

He believes that the ones that are highly affected by it are the innocent children. “… and there is a need for intervention, and it would be best if sports will be the bridge to the gap among Christians and Muslims. Thus, Sport is the vehicle for peace in Mindanao. People interact without knowing one’s religion or race,” he said.

He points out that sport is part of our culture, helps in uniting our country and is pure, since it is a unique human dynamics.

Along with Ramirez, Mr. Daniel Te, DFA Regional Director, was there to share some of his thoughts and ideas in his own field of work. Educating everyone in the room the dos and don’ts in getting passports and most especially to become moral citizens for us not to engage in fraud – faking our passports and other private documents.

The fourth year advertising class of Ms. Gemima Galang organized the said forum which was in connection to the advertising exhibit at the fifth floor, Thibalut Hall last September 10 – 12 entitled Pula, Itim at Ginto. This initialized the colors of “pakikibaka”, and of what has been fighting for by our world today. Among those whom are featured are global warming, faking of passports, violence against women and among others.

History repeats itself?

It is said that Mindanao is one of the richest islands in the country. With natural resources thriving across the island, Mindanao is the most livable place in the country.

But as time goes by, everything turned upside down. Poverty has made our people die in hunger. Worse, war made our homeland scarce from natural resources and all.

And the Mindanaoans? We are the ones who are highly affected by it. The children are exposed to the things that they must not know at a very young age.

Yes, peace summits and dialogues for peace can do but it is not enough.

These children need to be engaged in sports in order for them to be trained at a young age. Sports can make them good leaders in the society and for them to have self-discipline.

The future is in the hands of sports. Let us strive to help our children to be what we want them to be, and not like those people now, making war and not peace. Let us help not make history repeat itself.