MARIKINA CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Manila City Government have partnered to launch a community-based sports initiative designed to engage vulnerable youth and promote overall wellness among residents at the Manila Boys’ Town Complex.
The pilot initiative, titled “Laro’t Saya sa Manila Boys’ Town,” was soft-launched on Monday, September 28, with Manila Vice Mayor Chi Atienza attending on behalf of Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso. The program offers structured sports training, mentorship, and values formation to keep young people away from the dangers of street life while addressing mental health challenges.
During an interview, Vice Mayor Atienza emphasized the emotional and psychological benefits of the project for both youth and elderly residents at the complex.
”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.
”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.”
The initiative covers six sports disciplines: basketball, baseball, badminton, boxing, football, and volleyball. Under the guidance of two coaches per sport provided by National Sports Associations (NSAs), introductory training sessions will take place every Thursday and Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Atienza highlighted that while athletic achievement is welcome, the main focus remains holistic development.
”‘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.”
”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.”
Addressing the children directly, Atienza encouraged them to maximize the city’s support services.
”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 also reaffirmed the city’s care for senior citizens at the venue:
”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.”
PSC Chairman John Patrick Gregorio expressed plans to upgrade the facility’s current athletic infrastructure following an inspection of the site.
”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 nga ma-upgrade ang sports facilities nito para ’yung mga bata ay may mapaglaruan,” Gregorio noted.
”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.”
Manila Sports Council Director Dale Evangelista, a former Asian Games athlete hailing from Tondo, pointed to the untapped athletic talent within underprivileged communities.
”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.
”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.”