It is lovely to read very kind words being posted on Facebook and from what I read, my friends have shown their gratitude to one Davao sportsman who has given them so many opportunities.
In this crazy world of politics and sports, believe me, there is so much politics in sports that some could not handle it that they prefer to be out of it. However, there are those who are passionate about it that they can endure the heat and survive along the way.
For full disclosure, I used to work for this gentleman in various capacities during the third term of Mayor Digong when he started manning the once controversial Sports Development Division at City Hall.
If you can recall, Mayor Digong had to issue Executive Order No.1, replacing all personnel of the Sports Division because of the various complaints that stemmed from the LGUlympics.
So, William “Butch” Ramirez, head coach of the Ateneo de Davao basketball and university sports director, was named OIC Chief.
That started a rewarding sports career for coach Butch.
After Mayor Digong’s third term, he got a spot in the Philippine Sports Commission(PSC) as Regional Director and eventually was appointed Commissioner during the time of President Erap.
Of course, thanks to his political patrons and sports friends who believed in his capacity as a sports manager. Ah, the list is long, but if you are curious about it, I can name a few. First, Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, who is his Boss. Second, coach Leo Tereso Abellera Magno, who eventually was appointed Regional Director of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) during President Erap’s time. Third, Super Balita sports editor and broadcaster Ferdie “Batman” Lintuan, first president of the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) who heavily lobbied for the commissionership appointment. Fourth, Senator Gringo Honasan, whom he has established strong relations as a friend and compadre.
President Gloria M. Arroyo appointed him Chairman in 2005 until 2009 when he decided to go back to Davao and served Mayor Digong again.
When Mayor Digong became President of the Republic, there was no other Davao sportsman in mind to manage the PSC except coach Butch, who already had the experience as chairman of the national sports agency.
And so from 2016 until the expiration of Mayor Digong’s term as President, coach Butch was the sports agency’s chairman.
Chairman Ramirez’s stint in the PSC is quite memorable because the Philippines won the overall title in the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) and it was during his watch that the Philippines finally won a gold medal in the Olympics.
Again, thanks to his political patrons because the sports agency is actually an office under the Office of the President, which means that financial funding is crucial in supporting the national athletes’ quest for glory and honor for the country. Davao sportsman and former Sports Development Division chief Christopher “Bong” Go, who eventually became Senator, has been silently doing his part to make sure that chairman Ramirez is fully backed in serving the interest of the national athletes, coaches and officials.
I am writing this piece because sir Butch has just turned 73 years old last May 18. When I was still very much around, physically, usually, we celebrated his birthday at his humble home in Bangkal with his loving wife ma’am Mercy, their children Omar, Farah and Joshua.
Sir Butch, that is how we address him, is a very simple man who from the time we started following him as a sports news source at Ateneo as sports director, as program director of the Basketball Scientific Training Center (BSTC), as league coordinator of the Nike 3-on-3, as tournament commissioner of the JS Gaisano Cup, as officer-in-charge of the Davao City Sports Division, then to the colorful PSC years, including his attempt to become a Davao City Councilor, has not changed despite his notable accomplishments.
He would constantly remind us to be “humble”, because we were young then, in our 20s, idealistic in sports development, that we sometimes become emotional and fiery that we do not care who we can stumble upon as long as we know that we do the right thing for the benefit of the sports community.
It is also worth mentioning that after the takeover of the controversial City Sports Division, we were constantly bombarded by critics and we are proud to say that we were able to handle it well because we listened to them. We were man enough to answer them in all honesty that we are a sports division serving them.
Sir Butch was never in a fighting mood. We were in our 20s, young and idealistic, and we were in a fighting mood against critics, fortunately, then OIC chief Butch managed to tame us down. Believe me, it was stressful for the staff.
Sir Butch like any other human being has made mistakes and is man enough to face the consequences. And that is admirable.
He is a constant reminder to us sportswriters and sports community members that to be of service to the community is one of the greatest contributions in life.
He would tell us that while we are still young (this was in the middle of 1990s), we work hard to earn a living for ourselves and our families and once we have stabilized, we have to start giving back.
I am glad that the RAM(irez) Boys and Girls of Room 10 of City Hall have taken heed of that advice. Attorney Guillermo Iroy Jr. is Executive Director of the PSC, Undersecretary Joseph B. Encabo is chairman of the Cooperative Development Authority, Genevieve Tutica (Valles) is now a trial court judge, Rizalde Ramirez is a City Hall bureaucrat, and me, is still your humble sportswriter. I could not forget their names because during Davao City’s participation in the Philippine National Games in Cebu, we were the advanced team that slept in the school classrooms that were full of mosquitoes and we complained to the organizers about it, so by the time the Davao City athletes arrived in their quarters, the mosquito problem was resolved. I lost track of the other members of that group but I am pretty sure that they have chosen a career path that will benefit the community.
Sir Butch is now 73 and we wish him a peaceful, no more stress, retirement living with ma’am Mercy, the children and grandkids.
Happy birthday sir Butch!
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For any reactions, kindly email mpb_sports@yahoo.com.
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