Children’s games at St. Mary’s Parish held

DAVAO CITY—Believing that sports can bind people together especially children, the Philippine Sports Commission has partnered with different parishes in the Archdiocese of Davao for the parish-based children’s games.

Some 300 children from the parishes of San Lorenzo Ruiz in Talomo, St. Francis of Assisi in Ma-a, and St. Mary of the Perpetual Rosary in Buhangin have gathered for a day, October 20, for fun, playing and recreating.

“We partner with the parishes to ensure that the program for children will reach the GKKs,” said William ‘Butch’ Ramirez, Philippine Sports Commission chairman during an interview with DCHerald.

“The real gold are our children,” said Ramirez as he underscored the many values the children learned by playing with each other.

“Since the parishes have clear and best programs for children, the PSC partnered with the parishes to conduct Sports for Peace Children’s Games,” said Dr. Sergio Opeña, PSC National Consultant.

Fr. Joel Caasi of Talomo, Fr. Dionisio Tabiliran of St. Mary’s and Msgr. Paul Cuison of St. Francis of Assisi agreed to let children parishioners participate in this activity.

The Sports for Peace has been a flagship program of the Philippine Sports Commission that aims to promote peace among the people of Mindanao especially the youth. It has also been recognized by the UNESCO or United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

The commission has went to different areas in Mindanao particularly in areas affected by armed conflict and conducted Sports for Peace programs just like the Parish-based children’s games.

PSC is hoping that the Parish-based children’s games will be replicated in the different parishes in the city as they look forward for more parishes participating in the program.