Don Ramon busy as ever

Four-time PBA MVP and former PSC commissioner Ramon Fernandez turned 69 last Oct. 3 and on his birthday, the Ramon S. Fernandez Sports and Youth Development Foundation (RSFSYDF) launched a first series limited edition of three collectible cards with different designs. Only 100 cards were produced for each design and only a few more are available through the website rsfsydf.com at P3,500 apiece. For the lot of three cards, it’s P10,500.

Each “El Presidente” card is autographed. The first design shows Fernandez in a Toyota uniform, the second in a San Miguel Beer jersey and the third in a Tanduay kit. The cards are serial numbered out of 100. Proceeds are placed in a kitty to help young athletes reach their goals through RSFSYDF. For information on how to score the remaining cards, call cellfone No. 0968-896-8998 or visit the RSFSYDF website.

Fernandez said card No. 40 of the first design found its way in the Greenhills secondary market and is selling for P7,500. Now back in Cebu after serving the PSC, Fernandez said he misses being with athletes but the upside is he stays busy with his Foundation, businesses and family.

Fernandez said the Foundation is focused on grassroots programs with an emphasis on sports, youth development, scholarships and housing. “The values that you develop in sports are basically the same values that you need to be successful in life – discipline, perseverance, honesty, industry, respect,” he said. Upon the end of his PSC tenure, Fernandez submitted a term report as the oversight commissioner for the Visayas. The report detailed Fernandez’ accomplishments since his PSC appointment in July 2016. The projects he undertook included the Children’s Games in Regions 6, 7 and 8; Visayas Open; Talent Identification Program (Sports Mapping Action Research Talent Identification) encompassing Iloilo City, Cebu City and Ormoc City; consultative meetings with various Luzon and Mindanao LGUs, including mayors, city/municipal sports coordinators and other stakeholders, for the conduct of the Luzon Visayas Mindanao Open Games; and Visayas Sports Science Online Webinars for coaches and city coordinators in Regions 6, 7 and 8.

“The programs and activities have proven to be highly impactful to the beneficiaries and their resounding success in creating positive awareness of the agency’s presence in the communities makes us more resolute in suggesting the continuation of the programs for the next administration,” he said. “It is recommended that the Luzon Visayas Mindanao Open Games be given utmost attention insofar as future implementation. It is noteworthy that this initiative to give a sound platform for aspiring regional athletes was an offshoot of the staging of the Visayas Open in key cities of the region with 12 sporting disciplines. We suggest the addition of more sporting disciplines to the agenda.”

Finally, Fernandez said a highlight of his PSC service was his appointment as chef de mission at the SEA Games in Hanoi this year. “You can say it ended with a bang,” concluded Don Ramon.