By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the City Government of Manila have launched a community-based sports program at the Manila Boys’ Town Complex in Marikina City, aiming to give vulnerable children structured activities, mentorship and values formation while promoting mental health and youth development.
The “Laro’t Saya sa Manila Boys’ Town” sports program was soft-launched on September 28 as a pilot initiative designed to engage children in organized sports and reduce their exposure to the dangers of street life.
Representing Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, Vice Mayor Chi Atienza said many of the children and senior citizens at Boys’ Town have gone through difficult experiences, making mental health an important concern.
“Alam niyo, marami sa mga nandito ngayon ay medyo masalimuot ang pinagdaanan sa buhay, at usually, ang problema na dinaranas ng marami sa kanila is mental health,” Atienza said.
She said the partnership with the PSC would help keep the youth and senior citizens engaged while restoring hope among those at the facility.
“With this effort from the PSC, in accordance with the City Government of Manila led by our Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, makakatulong ito na maging busy ang aming mga lolo at lola at ang mga kabataan na nandito ngayon sa Boystown. Itong effort na ito ay ninanais naming bumalik ang pag-asa sa kanilang mga puso,” she added.
Under the program, the PSC has tapped National Sports Associations to provide two qualified coaches for each sport. The coaches will conduct introductory skills sessions and regular training every Thursday and Friday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The initial sports lineup includes basketball, baseball, badminton, boxing, football and volleyball.
Atienza said grassroots sports can provide marginalized youth with opportunities to discover goals and develop a stronger sense of purpose.
“’Pag meron na silang ibang maisip na makita nila na mayroon palang pangarap na pwede nilang maabot, doon mag-uumpisa ang drive, doon mag-uumpisa ang hope,” she said.
“It doesn’t have to mean na kailangan maging Olympian ka o maging gold medalist ka. Ang mas importante, natuto ka ng sports, magustuhan mo, at naging passionate ka about it. Ang katawan mo at mental health mo maaalagaan mo, then magkakaroon ka ng purpose at goal sa buhay. It’s actually a holistic approach towards a better well-being ng mga tao sa Maynila,” Atienza added.
She urged the children to make proper use of the opportunities being provided by the city government despite the hardships they have experienced.
“Ang City Government of Manila ngayon, lalong-lalo na si Yorme, maraming plano para sa inyo. Kaya sana, gamitin ninyo nang tama ang oportunidad na ibibigay sa inyo pagdating sa sports. Dahil kahit ano pa man ang pinagdaanan niyo sa inyong mga buhay, kaya niyo pa ring gawing maganda ang kinabukasan ninyo,” she said.
Atienza also assured the senior citizens at Boys’ Town that they would remain part of the city government’s efforts.
“At para naman sa mga lolo at lola natin na nandito, gusto naming malaman ninyo na mahal na mahal namin kayo at aalagaan namin kayo. Nandito lang kami lagi para sa inyo,” she said.
PSC Chairman John Patrick Gregorio, meanwhile, said the facility has the potential for upgraded sports facilities that could provide the children with a place to train and develop their skills.
“Nang pinag-aaralan namin ’yung mga programs na pwedeng gawin ng Philippine Sports Commission, may nagsabi sa akin na kung nakita ko na ba ’yung Manila Boystown. Pinuntahan ko, at nang makita ko, agree na agree ako na pwedeng-pwede ngang ma-upgrade ang sports facilities nito para ’yung mga bata ay may mapaglaruan,” Gregorio said.
He stressed the need for the partnership to continue beyond the current officials and become a long-term program.
“Napakaganda ng programa, ’pag binigyan mo lang ng pagkakataon ’yung mga bata na maglaro, baka one day isang Olympian na ’yan—baka Hidilyn Diaz na ’yan, baka Carlos Yulo na ’yan. Ang importante po ay dapat itong partnership na ito ay beyond us. Dapat po pangmatagalan, dapat panghabang-buhay,” he said.
Manila Sports Council Director Dale Evangelista, a former Asian Games athlete from Tondo, also underscored the importance of giving underprivileged children opportunities to develop their athletic potential.
“Importante na bigyan mo sila ng pagkakataon para mapaningas ’yung fire. Kasi ’yung mga maliliit na bata na ’yan, sila ’yung mas may pangarap kumpara doon sa mga mas bata na nasa labas,” Evangelista said.
He said Manila has produced many talented athletes and that sustained government support could give more children the opportunity to reach the highest levels of competition.
“Sa amin sa Tondo, at sa buong Maynila, marami kaming magagaling na atleta. What if kung ganito ’yung mga bata na mabigyan mo pa ng pagkakataon at suporta ng gobyerno? Baka hindi lang isa, dalawa, o tatlong Olympian ang kaya mong i-produce sa ganitong level at kalaking pasilidad,” Evangelista added.
The PSC and Manila City Government said the joint program is intended to provide vulnerable children with regular access to sports while promoting youth development, mental health, values formation and opportunities to pursue their potential.
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