BY this time, the incumbent PSC Chief, Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, may be already out of office. Their tenure at the agency ends by noon on June 30, 2022, the same time PPRD’s term ends.
I have known the Chairman by the many hats he wears. He is a doting father and grandfather.
He is also a coach, and he was my boss and mentor.
When I was about eight years old, I had the chance to become a scholar in his summer Basketball clinic. That was my first chance to experience his fatherliness among us camp participants. While a towering figure, he was never intimidating, even for the eight-year-old me.
Fast forward to when he already had his grandchildren, he was the very supportive Lolo to Liam and Malley.
He was the basketball coach of AdDU for several years and was able to hone and develop many players.
Mr. Marlon Malbog and Mr. Cholo Elegino were among the many players he coached and trained beyond their playing years. These two individuals were instrumental in his stint in
the PSC as able and knowledgeable deputies.
He was also the first athletic director of the Ateneo de Davao University, and he became my
boss then.
As a boss, he never lost the fatherliness and coach in him. He was very supportive and encouraging to everyone, from sports officers to the coaches. Yet he was steadfast in the
values he wanted to instill in us.
His famous word, “Timbanga!” applies to all of us, meaning we must think long and hard about our decisions on and off the court as this affects everyone.
When he did his second tour of duty at the PSC, I was very grateful for the chance to work on his flagship program, the Children’s Games. It is anchored on his love for children and peace; Unesco duly recognized the Children’s Games in 2017 as a beautiful utilization of sports for peace programs.
When I was doing this program with them, my advocacy for children and peace was nurtured and developed, helping greatly in my community extension work.
I have always been thankful to him for all the chances and opportunities he has provided. From the early scholarship in his basketball clinic to the work and engagement opportunities. Thank you, CWIR.
When starting this column, I also reached out to outgoing Commissioner Charles Maxey and asked for writing tips. He told me, “Be the voice of the voiceless in your column.”
Ending this piece, I echo the thanks of the people the Chairman and PSC have touched in their six-year term all over the country.