Sharing for sports

Many definitely agree to the concept of sharing and yesterday morning I received a text message from no less than one of Cebu’s top orthopedic surgeons, Dr. Tony San Juan, who volunteered to help out in the Sports Institute that the Cebu City Sports Commission is setting up at the San Nicolas Gym.

Tony, who has helped many of our athletes get back into their fighting form after surgery, said that while he does not have the equipment to donate as his kids are not yet into sports, he can spend time to help the institute by holding clinic there once a week for an hour or two.

I still have to discuss this with Chairman Edward Hayco of the Cebu City Sports Commission, but I am happy to know that there are many who also have the passion to push sports.

Aside from equipment, you can probably also donate training manuals or aids that you might have at home and are not anymore using.

The days when teaching sports meant simply giving the kids a ball to play with and some space to play are long gone. If we want to develop excellence, we need to guide the young athletes in the very early stage of their trying to learn the sport so as to avoid bad habits that might impede their development.

I’m sure many more are interested to also do their share for sports development and I hope that through this activity, we can find a place to channel our energies and ideas for the good of the future generations.

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Several years ago, I remember writing about the summer sports activities in the town of Minglanilla, which I call home.

When I was much younger, the school break meant taking part in sports and cultural activities that were initiated by the Minglanilla Council of Youth or MCY.

We looked forward to taking part in the activities that lasted all-summer long, which did not only allow us to use our energies in meaningful activities, but also promoted closer ties among the youth of the town.

Last weekend, I received a call from Jigger Cañedo, who expressed his interest to help revive the MCY.

Jigger said that he was among those who last enjoyed the activities of the MCY, which was for the youth until the age of 25.

The MCY wasn’t based on the youth organizations set up by the government. It was an umbrella organization of various youth clubs in the different barangays and subdivisions of the town.

I look forward to the day that such group would be reorganized and the youth of the town can again participate in meaningful activities that helped develop them into better people during the school break.

I’m sure many of those who experienced the activities of the MCY during our younger days would also be willing to extend their help to bring it back to life.

While we cannot turn back the time, it would be wonderful to see something from our youth flourish once more so our children can take part in them.

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Milestones: Happy birthday greetings go to one of my big brothers, Vicente ‘Inting’ T. Go, who turns a year older today.

The same goes to LtJG Archie Grapa of the Navy, Cylbi Grace Ang, Dr. Arcelin Lomanta-Piramide, Jed Calomarde, my fellow Sambisig Rommel Empedrad, and Jesefel Oyao.

Advance greetings go to Camille Villareal-Aldeguer, Aris Templado of the PMA Cebu Squad, Pamela ‘Palak’ Eugenio, Babette Escario and my upperclassmen from class ’88 of the PMA Joyet Equivel and Renato Salvaleon.

More power to all of you!