It was really wonderful to know that the Children’s Games for Marawi kids were held at the Basak Elementary School through the initiative of Aaliyah Dimaporo and husband Jordan Cimafranca with the support of their family and friends.
As everybody knows in Mindanao, the national government just recently liberated Marawi City from the terrorist Maute Group and rebuilding the war-town city has already started.
I am not actually surprised that Aaliyah took the initiative to conduct the games for the affected children. Probably about nine years ago, compadre Joy Encabo, now Asec in Malacanang, Rico Biliran, then of Mindanews, another compadre JB (that’s Jong Banluta) accompanied PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez to discuss sports for peace projects with the then Lanao Governor Mohammad Khalid Q. Dimaporo.
That afternoon, a lady approached chairman Ramirez and we easily noticed her great smile.
She turns out to be the young governor’s sister, Aaliyah. Of course, as a courtesy, we greeted the lady and introduced ourselves.
Who could ever forget that smile pare Joy?
Anyway, Professor Henry Daut of the Mindanao State University, who now works for the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Sports Institute, was thankful for the initiative of Aaliyah and her team to give the kids the opportunity to be happy.
More than 200 kids were introduced to soccer and karatedo, recreational games were also played and a magician provided them entertainment to their delight including their parents.
While the national government doubly work hard to rebuild Marawi and with caution if there are still remnants of the Maute Group (I hope they are all gone!), we are so happy to know that Aaliyah and her team, Prof.Daut and PSI coordinators were able to push through with this activity for the kids.
This is the kind of activity we would to see more often in Marawi. Why not? For the kids have the right to play and enjoy after that horrendous event.
Keep up the good work Aaliyah and I hope this initiative will inspire others to make a move to give you a call and organize more events for the children of Marawi.
Shukran.
