Parental Guidance

Boys from Ateneo de Manila University visited Don Bosco College yesterday to play some goodwill matches with the Bosconians, who extended their summer training for two days for the grand finish that had Manila flavor.

I spent the whole morning at the football field yesterday together with many other dads and moms, who belong to the rapidly growing tribe of football parents.

Watching the kids play is not merely a duty to many, it has even become a passion. Some are so passionate that their trips are now based on where the children are going for the world's most popular sport.

The Ateneo parents led by my buddy, fellow columnist, fellow La Sallite from ASMS (now ASMC) in Toledo, fellow sportscaster and fellow many others, Rico Navarro, are no different from our diehard parents here.

Unfortunately, the games kept me very occupied and I could not really talk to them to share notes about "football parenting."

I'm however sure that once I also get the time to talk longer with Rico, he'll be sharing a lot of inputs, which I hope can also help us build a better base of parents supporting not only the children, but the sport in general.

Aside from being mere sources of funds and inspiration for their kids, the parents can play an even bigger role for sports development. Let's all try to do our share and some day our dreams will come true.

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Since we are in the topic of dreams, reaching the summit of Mount Everest was one of those until Leo Oracion, a native of Lucban, Quezon, but now residing in Mandaue City, did it a few days ago.

Thanks to the giant television networks, the dream was realized sooner than most of us hoped.

There are many more dreams of Filipinos that have been attained due to the TV networks. Yes, including those dreaming of becoming millionaires in the game shows.

Although I am not exactly encouraging people to turn to the TV networks to see their dreams come true, what is happening is proof that there are many things that can be achieved with the proper coordination and cooperation of the various sectors.

Unfortunately, cooperation seems hard to accomplish among our sports leaders alone not only those at the top of the hierarchy, but also down to the level of coaches.

The same sad tale can be said about coordination among our sports leaders.

Let us not lose hope though. The best lesson we can learn from these televised achievements is how proper marketing and promotion can help us attain our goals for development.

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If you haven't bought a ticket yet, then you better hurry or you'll end up without one for the PBA game this afternoon at the Mandaue Sports and Cultural Complex.

The game between the Ginebra Gin Kings and the Air 21 Express will promptly start at 4:30 pm.

Ticket prices are P600, P400, and P200.

Nothing really beats watching the games live and more importantly, nothing beats watching the games live and here in our home province.

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MILESTONES: Happy birthday greetings to Cheryl Ouano (May 21), the chairperson of the Mandaue Sports Development Commission.

I also wish Nanay Emma A. Quiñones (May 19), a belated happy birthday!