Saturday, November 15, 2008 Kids take center stage By Marianne Saberon-Abalayan
CLOSE to a thousand athletes, aged 12 years old and below, crossed the barriers of religion, language and socio-economic status as the first-ever Mindanao Children's Games (MCG) opened at the University of Mindanao (UM) Matina Gym in Davao City Friday amid armed conflict in other parts of the island.
Notre Dame of Midsayap College (NDMC) president Fr. Romeo Saniel, OMI, who brought a crack selection of kids from war-torn areas in North Cotabato, said the children are ecstatic they are here to participate.
"The kids are happy. It's a good break from war," Fr. Saniel said.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) William "Butch" Ramirez said sports is a solution to Mindanao's persisting problems as it promotes peace and unity which are the major components of the three-day MCG.
"Sports bridges whatever differences we may have in religion or status. You are the future leaders, future officials and future lawmakers of this country," Ramirez said.
"These kids speak and play from their hearts and they are genuine people. It is very important that young as you are now, you get to have a clear understanding how to achieve peace and unity," he added.
PSC lone lady commissioner Gillian Akiko Thomson, a be-medaled Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medalist, encouraged the participants to have fun in their games and play hard for in the future they might become the country's future international champions.
"The MCG is very unique. Play is very important in every child's life. With the situation you have in Mindanao, you have all the more reason to engage into sports. This MCG is for you. This is for your enjoyment," Thomson said.
Davao City's Olympian diver Sheila Mae Perez, who was special guest during the opening rites, said she was happy to be part of the historic event.
"I'm very glad that you are all here to play. Keep on believing in yourself, always pray to God and be disciplined. Be proud to be a Filipino," the 23-year-old Perez, Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, said.
The diving champion later accommodated interviews from TV and print journalists even as fans asked for photo opportunities with her. She gamely signed shirts and notebooks of fans, too.
Davao City's Asean Age-Group Chess Championships double gold medalist, John Ray Batucan of Don Juan dela Cruz Central Elementary School, led the oath of sportsmanship while a heart-warming rendition of an original composition "Children of Peace" was belted out by NDMC student Danica Biades before PSC commissioner Vicente Uy, SVD declared the Games open.
PSC Commissioner Eric Loretizo, Davao City Councilor Peter Lavina, also Davao City Sports Council, Inc. president, and Davao del Norte provincial sports coordinator Anthony del Rosario also graced the opening ceremonies of the meet that features basketball, baseball, football, chess, taekwondo, table tennis and swimming.
