DAVAO CITY -- Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez underscored leadership character as an essential tool for budding campus sportswriters to thrive not just in journalism but also in life.
Ramirez, speaking to some 300 participants of Communicate Sports, a two-day sports journalism seminar that opened at The Royal Mandaya Hotel (TRMH) Lantawan Hall on Feb. 12, said: "This gathering is not only about writing. This is not only about appreciating sports. This is about leadership in writing, your leadership as a young man and woman. If you have leadership, you have character."
He then reminisced how boys scouting as well as sports molded him to the person he has become today.
Ramirez urged the student writers to show confidence, to be alert and work hard citing that his poverty during childhood was a step to a better life.
"Boys scouting taught me values and character. I have to achieve. I was not very good with Math but in good in social studies. I was a great player. I was not a serious student, I was an average student, and a product of Padala Elementary School," the PSC chief said, adding that his was a difficult life growing up but it was enjoyable.
He recalled how his diction was laughed at when he competed and represented St. Michael's College in an oratorical contest in Davao City. He was defeated by a student from the Ateneo de Davao University then but he felt cheated, believing that he won the contest.
Ramirez continued, "I may be wrong that time but I already had that winner's attitude and competitive spirit. Who would ever think that a Padada boy can journey around the world."
He also encouraged the student writers to save money and travel instead of investing on gadgets, saying that travel enriches one's experiences and teaches great life lessons.
Meanwhile, PSC Commissioner Charles Raymond A. Maxey welcomed the participants whom he urged to read more and nurture their passion for sportswriting.
The Dabawenyo commissioner, a former sports editor of Sun.Star Davao, also said campus journalists are also partners of the national sports agency in promoting sports in their respective schools.
Topics tackled Monday included Communicate Sports, the project, and The Challenges of Sports Journalism, by veteran columnist Ed Fernandez; Know your PSC by Commissioner Maxey and PSC in the grassroots by Dr. Serge Opeña.
The seminar resumes Tuesday with Sportswriting to be discussed by Sun.Star Davao sports editor Marianne L. Saberon-Abalayan while Fernandez will talk about Photography and Designing the Sports Page in the afternoon.
Certificates will be given to participants from as far as Kidapawan City and other parts of Davao region. (PSC-PSI PR)
