Football for Peace

Who says only the fathers are actively involved when it comes to sports for their children? 

In the course of being, as expected a sporting dad, which I believe has caused so much pressure on my son, I met many mothers, who are as equally dedicated to be there for their children in their sporting endeavors.

Mothers don’t only prepare the food that you take to the games or help pack the extra clothes and fill up the coolers with drinks. Many, in fact, drive their children to where the action is, act as cheerer, and sometimes even as back up coach.

To all the mothers including my own mama and my wife, the mom of my kids, I wish you a Happy Mother’s Day!

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If there is one sport that is played to promote peace in many parts of the world, it is football.

Even in the war zones, when football games are played, the fighters take a break and enjoy the world’s number one sport.

It came as no surprise that when my mistah (classmate) Lt. Col. Samuel Sagun of the Philippine Army, told me that he is holding “Futbol Para sa Kapayapaan 2012” (Football for Peace) in Midsayap, Cotabato this May 28 and 29.

Sam, who served as spokesman of the Central Command based in Cebu a few years ago, is now knocking on the support of friends and colleagues for his project.

The aim is to teach football to kids aged 6 to 12 years old and the venue is the Southern Christian College grounds, the very place where Sam also completed his high school education.

While this may only be a two-day event, Sam hopes that it will open the eyes of the children that there is indeed hope for peace in Central Mindanao.

When I got a message from my mistah about this project, he told me that the kids are without shoes and he is hoping that I can arrange some donations from my end.

Since football is one of the sports closest to my heart, I told him that I will try to gather old gear and send them to Mindanao in time for the event.

If your kids have old shoes that you can’t pass on the younger siblings, this could be your chance to put them to good use.

Those interested can send email to [email protected] so we can arrange how the donation can be picked up or dropped off and sent to the kids of Cotabato.

Peace cannot just be achieved through fighting and sports have proven to be one of the best ways to attain that dream.

Support for this endeavor would not only rid your closets or old shoes, but they can be your contribution to a better world for our brother Filipinos in Midsayap.

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MILESTONES: Belated happy birthday greetings to Sr. Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, who celebrated last Thursday.

Today’s greetings go to my mistah Cdr. (or is it now Capt.?) Robert Patrimonio of the Coast Guard, Cavalier Michael Ray ‘Ninoy’ Aquino, Louie May ‘Mayo’ Rosales, Honey Mae Cañada, and Mark Garcia.

Advance greetings to those celebrating tomorrow like my former students Sofia Picardal, Tisha Shayne Pinkian, and Maridren Lim and also to Jun Tariman.

Congratulations to the newly-minted Air Force Colonels of PMA Sambisig class 1991 – Rene Honasan, Jeff Hechanova, Rummuell Perez, Dennis Estrella, and Gerry Soliven. I know there are a few more, congratulations to you also mistahs!

More power to all of you!