Milestones for Mike

It’s been nearly 24 years since Mike Barredo figured in a horrible car accident that destroyed his vision. He was 24, athletic and an outstanding car salesman at the peak of his life. His wife Barbara was pregnant with their second child. She later gave birth to Richard whom Barredo has never seen.

The accident happened at about 2 a.m. in front of the Rizal Coliseum on Vito Cruz. Barredo, overtaking from the right, drove his car into a parked vehicle. His head banged against the windshield of his car, which was a total wreck. He was a bloody mess.

Barredo’s right eye was removed. It was damaged beyond repair. He underwent at least 10 operations, three in the US, to save the vision in his left eye but it was no use.

Barredo could’ve wallowed in self-pity and sulked. He could’ve retreated into a shell and given up on life. He could’ve lost faith in God. But he didn’t. He put his life in the Lord’s hands, picked himself up from the depths of despair and dedicated himself to others–to his wife, their two sons, and the differently abled.

Despite his handicap, Barredo set up his own trucking business, worked as an executive of a car dealership, and in 1990, formed his own non-life insurance company. He started a crusade for the differently abled and toured the world to learn how to alleviate their plight.

In 1989, Barredo received the Apolinario Mabini Award as an outstanding disabled in business and in 1993, was presented a TOYM (Ten Outstanding Young Men) Award for humanitarian service and community development.

In 1997, Barredo organized the Philippine Sports Association of the Differently Abled (Philspada) to reestablish his love for sports. At school, he was on the La Salle varsity teams for football, volleyball, basketball, track and even chess. Sports was and has always been in Barredo’s blood. So Philspada was a natural offshoot of his passion for sports.

Today, Barredo is 47 and serves as a Commissioner in the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). He marked his first anniversary as a PSC Commissioner last April and on July 15, will celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary. How fateful that his office is now situated in front of where his accident took place in 1979.

Barredo’s wife has been a pillar of strength by his side through his darkest moments. When Barredo was recently accused of sexually molesting a janitress at the PSC Training Center in Teachers Camp, Baguio, he faced the press to deny the charge with his wife beside him. Nobody knows Barredo better than his wife and their two sons, Stephen and Richard. They could never imagine him to do such a thing.

At the PSC, Barredo disproved speculation that a physically disabled person would be more of a burden than an asset to the government agency. He has successfully provided opportunities for other recognized basic sectors of society such as the differently abled, the vertically challenged, OFWs, youth leaders and others to engage in various sports activities. With Philspada, Barredo integrated competitions for differently abled athletes in PSC events like the Palarong Pambansa, Batang Pinoy and the Mindanao Friendship Games. He brought the exceptional differently abled athletes overseas to train and compete in the FESPIC Games that followed the Asian Games in Busan last year.

Barredo has been designated head of the delegation bound for the second ASEAN Paragames in Hanoi this December and is looking forward to the country hosting the third Paragames in 2005.

Not too many sports watchers know that Barredo initiated the move to implement the Joint Circular covering the agreement on the remittance of three percent of all taxes collected from imported athletic equipment to the PSC. Since the PSC’s formation in 1990, it never received the tax remittance. Early this year, a Joint Circular was signed with the Department of Finance and Bureau of Customs to assure the PSC of the additional funds for its projects and programs.

Understanding the importance of media to promote sports development, Barredo worked for the revival of the PSC newsletter called "Sports Update" and hosts a weekly radio program "Ang Inyong PSC" over DZSR Sports Radio on Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m.

This year, Barredo launched a training and talent identification program for differently abled athletes and coaches. So far, the three-day program has been staged in Iloilo, Bacolod, Tacloban, and Baguio. He also hosted the first edition of the "Kabataang Bayani Challenge," a one-day event featuring a mini-concert and sports exhibit to inspire today’s youth to become tomorrow’s leaders through the promotion of sports, fitness, and the ideals of the country’s heroes.

"I view my stint in the PSC as a major highlight in our struggle for recognition as productive and vital components of our society particularly in the sporting field," said Barredo. "However, my advocacy and actions go beyond the concerns of the differently abled. My primary goal is to democratize sports by making it more accessible to all regardless of age, gender, social status and capabilities. Only through the achievement of sports-for-all that we can attain the just and sustained development of Philippine sports."

Barredo’s mission is far from over. He’s only just begun.