The Philippine Sports Commission and Senate Youth and Sports Committee Head Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go found an ally in the Kiwanis Club of Manila in their efforts towards enhancing the government’s youth sports program.
The PSC received 655 softballs from the Kiwanis Club of Manila and their international sister chapter Kiwanis Club of Ogaki, Japan through the office of Executive Director Guillermo Iroy on Saturday at the PSC Administration building in Malate, Manila.
“We express our gratitude to the Kiwanis Club of Manila for choosing the Philippine Sports Commission to be the recipient of the softballs from Kiwanis Ogaki Japan. As the lead sports agency in the country, the PSC is mandated to promote, encourage, and sustain the development of sports in the country. This is a testament that with the help and support of our friends and stakeholders, the development of a healthy and alert citizenry is possible,” said Ethel Goh, head of PSC’s Procurement Division as the PSC Board’s representative.
Kiwanis Club of Manila President Francis Villegas, First Vice President Dr. Isabel Maria Villegas, Governor of Kiwanis International Philippine Luzon District Mauro Cocjin, along with other KCM members and Sen. Go’s staff headed by Legislative Officer Rico Hernandez were all present during the ceremony.
“Kiwanis Club of Manila and Kiwanis Club of Ogaki, Japan jointly support our government’s youth enhancement program by donating these 655 pieces of softball from Japan to the Philippine Sports Commission through the Office of the Executive Director, Guillermo Iroy. This project’s aim is sports awareness and physical and mental fitness and health. Mabuhay tayong lahat, mula sa amin sa Kiwanis Club of Manila. Maraming Salamat po!” said Villegas.
Senator Bong Go, the Chairman of the Philippine Senate Health and Sports Committee, through a message read by Hernandez, expressed his appreciation to Kiwanis Club of Manila: “I hope that we will not only bring the sport of softball into the mainstream of Filipino consciousness but also make this an avenue to forge even stronger ties between our people.”
The senator related in his message that just recently Kiwanis Club of Manila donated 748 boxes of goods for the benefit of the earthquake victims in Mindanao. He cited this act of philanthropy as truly noteworthy and expressed his hope the club will continue to improve the lives of our people especially those who are in need, “you have shown that indeed, you are the government’s partner not only in sports development but also in nation-building.”
The Kiwanis Club of Manila is a member of the Kiwanis International, an organization with partners all over the world aiming to “help children thrive, prosper and grow in nearly 80 nations and geographic locations.”
