Father Romeo Saniel, our co-worker in the Sports for Peace Mindanao Movement, posted on FB about the 40 days of the victims of the twin bombings in Jolo.
It’s really heart-breaking to remember what happened at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel last January that killed 24 and injured 112 churchgoers. Some of them were close friends of Fr.Romy.
In one occasion I told coach Boy Sarabia, sports director of the University of Mindanao and a sports for peace partner when the movement was founded by Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, that we should visit Jolo because compadre Cholo Elegino, coach of the Ateneo de Davao Blue Knights, is the only one visiting Fr.Romy and coach the basketball team of Notre Dame. Pare Cholo, coach Boy, University of Immaculate Conception sports director Bing Grandeza and I would always stick together during the city, regional and national PRISAA games for reasons I don’t know. Wala lang, basta mag sige rag uban.
“Suroy sad ta didto coach Boy,” I told him, who at that time was busy in coordination work for the University of Mindanao Track Oval. Our busy schedules at that time would not just allow it and probably because “someone” was just whispering to my ear not to go to Jolo.
You see friends, we believe that sports is a way for Mindanaoans to promote dialogue, harmony and understanding. Gubot baya kayo ta diri. Samok. Ga sigeg away sa Mindanao. Labad. Then PSC chairman Butch thought of utilizing sports as a vehicle to promote peace.
Unfortunately, things beyond our control just happen like the twin-bombings in Jolo.
For sure, those attackers were not members of the sports community. Kung naa man sila sa sports, they don’t understand the reason why we are in sports. Sports is about friendship and love for one another. Sports is about building a healthy and vibrant society. Sports is about healing. Yes, sports is about peace.
Yes, chairman Ramirez and his team are continually working on the Children’s Games, which is actually the main beneficiary of the sports for peace movement. Sports is all about the children that they will be able to enjoy sports in a peaceful environment.
But there’s so much trouble in the world. Paita.
And so, this sports for peace movement must continue for years to come even beyond Mayor President Digong’s term. We should never give up.
And prayerfully one day, even before they think of hurting one human being, they would think first and realize that those who will be hurt are members of the sports community or have children or grandchildren who participate in the Children’s Games and they would say to themselves “dili na lang ko manakit ug tawo ani, kay ma undang ang sports, ma samok”.
Unta ang pangisip sa tanan ingon ana noh?
Let to continue to pray and work on our dream of a peaceful Mindanao. And hopefully, the beauty of sports development can make us all men and women of peace.
