Sporty Mayor

In his column Sports Eye in the April 8, 2014 issue of The Freeman Cebu, Raffy T. Uytiepo wrote about me in an article entitled "Sporty Mayor."

"I took a week-long sojourn to Maasin City in Southern Leyte for a little rest but ended up climbing the mountain shrines.... Just before leaving, I dropped by at City Hall to visit the city’s mayor, Maloney Samaco, undoubtedly a sportsman in his own right.  Mayor Maloney may not look athletic but he’s been supporting Maasin City’s sports programs. He is also responsible for the city’s hosting of numerous sports activities and national events...

"Chess is also a favorite sport of Mayor Maloney who said since he was frail and sickly during his younger days, he took to chess which does’nt require too much physical efforts.  Oh by the way, Mayor Maloney has participated in several runs in Cebu City.  He even ran in the Cebu City  Marathon but only in the 5K side  together with our very own Mayor Mike Rama...With running and triathlon starting to become popular here, Mayor Maloney plans to do more events...Keep the good work Mayor!"


Chess player

Yes because I was skinny and had hernia during my elementary days, I was not able to play basketball, the game that I love.  I played only mini-basketball using small basketballs or tennis balls which were a fad during that time using miniature goals.

I played chess which required only mental abilities.  In my elementary days I played with the best chess players of Maasin, even with the adult champions, until high school.  Papa's store and tailoring was a chess center where all chess experts of the town assembled.

I placed third in the whole of Maasin in the elementary level chess tournament.  I won the high school level chess game during the SJC Loyalty Day.  I stopped playing chess when I was in college.

Only when the Batang Pinoy Visayas Qualifying Leg was held in Maasin City on September 26, 2013 did I play chess again.  It was a simultaneous chess game against Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales as I joined the inmates and some jail guards at the City Jail in challenging the national chess trainer.  

I was the only one to draw the GM while others lost.  It was a great honor for a stagnating chess player to play with a grandmaster to a draw.


Sportscasting and sportswriting

I started to play lawn tennis in my first year high school.  But my hernia came back causing stomach aches during and after each game.  So I stopped playing lawn tennis for good.

My deficiency in physique was countered by my viewing of sports competitions on television.  After he closed his tailoring business, Papa operated the No.1 sports home video in Maasin and it showed mostly boxing matches and basketball games.

I was fascinated by the Olympics, Asian Games, NBA, PBA and championship boxing. When Radio Station DYDM opened, I had a regular broadcast entitled Sports Roundup.  I also reported with sports update daily in the morning news of the radio.

I also became a sportswriter as I wrote a column Sports Roundup in the Southern Leyte Times then at the Maasin Mail then back to the Southern Leyte Times. I became a sports blogger at the globally popular Philboxing.com.

 
Forty-uppers basketball

When I was Vice Mayor, I began playing competitive basketball, this time for the forty-uppers.  It all began with an exhibition game between elected officials and heads of office.  Then we played against the barangay captains during city employees week.  We also played in the employees week of the province against the 40-uppers basketball teams of the Province, Nationals, DILG and Soleco.

Our elected officials and heads of office team played with the executive team of Gov. Oscar Moreno from Misamis Oriental.  I was vice mayor that time and Damian Mercado was the City Mayor.  It was a part of the City Charter Day celebration.

When I became City Mayor I organized the Mayor's Squad basketball team for 39-below hoopsters and 40-upper basketeers.  We played in barangay fiestas, anniversaries and LGU month celebrations.  We 40-uppers would face either the barangay officials or barangay tanods team.  And the 39-below team would engage with the senior selection of the barangay.

Our elected and heads of office team played against our provincial counterparts.  I also joined the game of the MCC Faculty Team versus MCC Staff.  I also played in our MCC Faculty and Staff Team against DepEd City Division.


Starting to run

Then came a time when I was engaged in running with Chona.  My sister Mabel convinced us to join the trend of running.  We started jogging at the port area every morning.  We ran around the poblacion too.  We went also to the Mama Mary Shrine at Jalleca Hills and Montecueva.

Our first run at Cebu was the Citigym Half-Marathon "A Halloween Run" where we ran three kilometers starting and ending at the Waterfront Hotel, Cebu City on October 3, 2010.  We ran our first 5k on November 7, 2010 at the "Run for IT"  starting and finishing at the IT Park, Cebu City.

On November 28, 2010 we went to Manila to join the "Bonifacio Global City (BGC) Run" where we run 5K at Taguig City.

Fun runs in Cebu

Then runs at Cebu City followed.  On December 5 , 2010 the "Red Cross Run"  5K  at Ayala Center.   On December 11, 2010 the "Run to Build - The Sci Hi Fun Run" 5K at SM City.  Then the "Run for Sta. Teresa de Avila 2" good for 6K followed at Talisay City on December 30, 2010 where the whole family joined.

On January 9, 2011 we joined the prestigious "Cebu Marathon" starting and ending at the IT Park, Cebu City where we ran for 5K.

On January 23, 2011 we had our first trail run at  the "Argao Mud Run" where we  participated the 7K category at the mountains of Argao, Cebu.

The first fun run we participated starting and ending at SM City Cebu was on Feb 13, 2011 "SM 2 SM Run" for 6K.  Then another one at APM Mall Cebu City on April 24, 2011 the "Run for a Child's Future" for 5K.

Fun runs in Maasin 

We also organized and participated the fun runs in Maasin City in 2011:  On February 11 the "Run for the Heart" for 6K, on March 25 the "Run for the Philippine First Mass" for 6K, on May 23 the "Takbo Kontra Tabako" for 6K, on June 12 the "Freedom Run" for 3K, on August 7 the "1st Maasin City Half Marathon" for 10K, and on September 6 the "Takbo Laban sa Krimen" for 3K.

There were fun runs in Maasin organized by other institutions which we also joined:   On February 19 the "1st Seminary Fund Run" for 6K by the Pope Paul VI Seminary, on October 29 the "Metro Hi-Per Fun Run" for 3K and on December 4 the "Red Cross Million Volunteer Run" for 3K.

Chona and I joined two days of successive runs in Luzon.  On February 26, 2011 we ran the "Run with the Heroes" for 5K at the Basa Air Base, Floridablanca, Pampanga and the next day February 27  at the "EDSA Run" for 5K  finishing at People Power Monument, Quezon City.

Ayala Center of Cebu City was the start and finish of some of the runs that we had took part: On March 13, 2011 the "Family Back Pack Fun Run" 6K; on April 10, 2011 the "C24/7 Fun Run" 5K; and on July 31, 2011, the "POGS Run" 8K.
                
Running in other places

We went to other towns and cities to enter their runs:  On April 16, 2011 the "BSF Earth Run" 10K at Bato School of Fisheries, Bato, Leyte; April 21, 2011 the "Bantayan Beachathon" 5K at Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu;  on May 1, 2011 the "Mayor's Cup Run for Change" 6K at Parkmall, Mandaue City; and on May 21, 2011 the "1st Matalom Fun Run" 6K at Matalom, Leyte.

Then we joined other runs on May 29, 2011 the "Greenfield City Clean Air Run" 5K at Sta. Rosa City, Laguna; Aug 14  iRun for Ormoc  5K at Ormoc City; on August 28, 2011 the "Run for 100% Smoke-Free Environment"  5K Talisay City; on September 11, 2011 the "ERUF Run 161 11.11.11" 6K  Parkmall, Mandaue City.

We joined one fun run outside the country.  On June 23, 2011 we ran the "Olfener City Jubilaumslauf" 5K in Olfen City, Germany.

Scouting memoirs and activities

"We never fail when we try to do our duty, we always fail when we neglect to do it," said Lord Baden Powell.

I was a boy scout since elementary days in Saint Joseph College.  During our time, scouting is part of the curriculum and it is integrated in our physical education, health and music program.  Every month of October, we joined thousands of boy scouts all over Maasin in filling up the whole Anatalio Gaviola Plaza for the scouting rallies and camporal contests.

We experienced cooking and building fires including first aid and tree planting.  Knot tying is one basic skill which was very useful in our everyday practical life.  Troop formations strengthened our team building with other scouts.  There were games played also by patrols during scout gatherings.



Scouting in elementary and high schoolMy scout master in my elementary grades was Mr. Cresencio Rojas.  In my first year it was Mr. Pantaleon Hatayna and in my second year and third year we were under Mr. Eduardo Sibi.  Scouting really made us experience wonderful outdoor life which we did not undergo inside the four walls of the classroom.

We camped at the Saint Joseph College campus and later went hiking at the mountains of Maasin and nearby town of Matalom.  We compete with boy scouts from other schools during Scouting month celebrations.

We had campfires inside the campus and presented songs, yells and skits.  We learned about heroes and were taught about emergency preparedness, environment protection and other scout skills.  It was the time when every boy in school was required by the Education Department to take up Scouting as part of his values education and preparation for life.


My first jamboree in Sibulan
When I was first year high school student, I applied to join the 6th Regional Jamborette in Sibulan, Negros Oriental near Dumaguete City.  I cried because I was declared unfit by a government physician to join the Jamborette.  I was diagnosed to have asthma which actually I don't have.  I was really very interested to go with the Saint Joseph College delegation joining the Southern Leyte Council contingent.

With the support of my parents, we seek medical clearance from another government physician and I was given the go signal to go with the group.  That was year 1975 and amidst the big waves in crossing Cebu to Negros island, I was able to survive the first solid test of overcoming my seasickness.

Our tents were not ready-made during that time and we had to build them.  We cooked food using firewood.  I survived the tests of outdoor life.  The whole activity was rocked by an incident, a scout from Cebu got drowned and died in the camp swimming pool.  Our contingent was safe though and we went home to Maasin full of pride, like soldiers going home from war.

National and provincial jamborees
When I was in the third year high school, I joined the 6th National Jamboree in Camp Capitol Hills, Cebu City.  The whole SJC delegation was booked at Subcamp Ancajas just very near the arena.  We cooked our own food, joined several camp activities including the very challenging adventure trail, and hiked several kilometers from the city to Lahug where our camp was situated.

We experienced New Year as we welcomed 1978 full of revelry in the camp.  The jamboree was also hit by a typhoon and we experienced flooding of our camp.    But we survived the nature's wrath and went home to Maasin safely.

In my 4th year in high school, even if I was already an officer in the Citizen's Army Training (CAT), I still joined the 1st Southern Leyte Provincial Jamborette in December 1978 as scout staff.  It was held at Danao, Malapoc Norte.  We were facilitators in the different activities and did household chores in the camp official's quarters.


Return to scouting
There was a lull in my scouting when I was in college until my early professional days.  But in 1992 when I was elected Sangguniang Bayan Member (Municipal Councilor) I was elected into the Council Executive Board with the position of 2nd Vice Chairman.  After 14 years, I was back to Scouting! 

With Congressman Roger Mercado as the Council Chairman, we hold the 2nd Provincial Jamborette, also 14 years had passed since the first one when I was still a student.  It was conducted at the Capitol Sunken Garden.  The 3rd and 4th Provincial Jamborette followed until 1998 when then Gov. Rosette Lerias was elected as the Council Chairman and I was chosen the 1st Vice Chairman.

Boy Scouts all over Southern Leyte converged at the Capitol site, fetched their tents, build their camps and experienced outdoor life while learning the essentials of Scouting.



Elected council chairman
In 2001 I was elected as Council Chairman for Southern Leyte.  We hold the 5th Provincial Jamborette at Danao, this time called the Maasin City Forest Park, situated 14 kilometers from the heart of the city.  After 23 years, Scouting is back at Danao! 

As Council Chairman we sent contingents to the 12th National Jamboree at  Palo, Leyte in 2001, the 2nd National Scout Venture at Sorsogon City in 2002, the 12th Eastern Visayas Regional Jamborette at Cebu in 2004, the 13th National Jamboree at Mt. Makiling in 2004, the 3rd National Scout Venture at Cebu in 2005, the 4th National Rover Moot at Cabadbaran in 2005, the 2nd BIMP-EAGA Urban Jamboree at Davao City in 2006,  and the Centennial Jamboree at Mt. Makiling in 2007.

Then later I went with the council delegation to the 4th National Scout Venture at Mambajao, Camiguin in 2008, the 5th National Rover Moot at Davao City in 2008, the 6th National Rover Moot at Tumauini, Isabela in 2009, the 2nd Border Jamboree at Zamboanga City in 2009,  the 26th Asia-Pacific Jamboree at Mt. Makiling in 2009, the 14th National Diamond Jamboree at Mt. Makiling in 2011. I joined all these jamborees to give moral booster to our scouts. 


                   

Subcamp chief in Makiling
I attended two national jamborees in Mt. Makiling with my wife Chona and three sons.  During the national jamboree in 2004 we spent New Year and Chona's birthday in the camp.  The other one was the Diamond Jubilee Jamboree in 2011.  My sons attended the National Eagle Conclave that time. 

Two times, in the 26th Asia-Pacific Jamboree and the National Diamond Jamboree, I acted as sub-camp chief.  For the first one, it included delegations from other countries such Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Pakistan and delegations from other regions.  In the second one, the subcamp included all Visayas contingents. 

During my chairmanship, the first batch of Rover Scouts, scouts aged 16 and above or college level, were accepted into the scouting movement in Southern Leyte through rover vigils and investiture programs.  First conducted were the Sangguniang Kabataan chairmen, then SK kagawads, youth leaders, then college students especially from Maasin City College.  

Thousands of rover scouts were trained into the ideals of scouting.  They were oriented on the five rocks of life which blocks their way to success.  These stumbling blocks include irreligion, humbuggery, alcoholism, gambling and womanizing.


First Eagle scouts
We had institutionalized the Kab Olympics for the Kab Scouts who were grades one up to grades four.  It was held every year for the Charter Day celebration since 2003.  Hundreds of Kab Scouts all over Maasin City converged to play games with their parents.

We conducted Patrol Leaders' Training Course in all districts of Maasin City Division and in all districts in Southern Leyte Division.  Also, Basic Training Course were held for adult leaders all throughout Southern Leyte. 

We trained scouts for advancement.  After five years and after several jamborees that they joined, we produced five Eagle Scouts, the first in Southern Leyte.  Three of these were my sons - Mallory Samaco, Marton Samaco and Marlon Samaco - and Karl Pete Carrayo and Jefferson Dances.    



Elected regional chairman
Maasin City and Southern Leyte Council hosted the 13th Regional Jamborette in 2008.  The first time a regional boy scouts activity was conducted in the province.  It again hosted the 7th National Rover Moot and the 1st One Visayas Jamborette simultaneously in 2010.  Again it was the first time the province hosted such big activities. 

I was elected Regional Chairman for Eastern Visayas Region which includes Regions 7 and 8.  That was in 2009, when the Regional Scout Committee meeting was held in Maasin City.  I was reelected during the regional elections in 2010 at Siquijor and again reelected in 2011 at Northern Samar.  Other regional meetings I presided were held in Cebu City and Naval, Biliran.

As Regional Chairman, the Regional Scout Committee was able to establish two new associate councils.  These are the Tacloban City Associate Council and the Siquijor Associate Council.  I also lobbied for their approval at the national level.    


National executive board member
I became an automatic member of the National Executive Board.  I attended board meetings and Annual National Council Meetings such as those in Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Makati, and Zamboanga.  I had several occasions of meeting Vice President and BSP National President Jejomar Binay.  Every time we met he called me giant killer because of what happened in the 2007 mayoral elections. 

During the Annual National Council Meeting in Zamboanga City, I made a PowerPoint presentation of Maasin City and Southern Leyte as prospective host to the National Rover Moot to some 300 delegates and scout executives from all over the Philippines. 


Woodbadge training
As Regional Chairman I hosted the woodbadge training for troop leaders in Maasin in 2009 where I was a trainee.  It was participated in by adult leaders from the entire region.  Probably I was the only incumbent local chief executive in the entire country who participated in a training so rigid and humiliating as the woodbadge for troop leaders. 

During that time, I was not treated as mayor but as an ordinary adult leader.  We cooked our own food, slept in tents, hiked, jogged, swam the muddy lake, went through obstacles and undergone training through sleepless nights for eight days.

In 2011, we had conducted again the same woodbadge training at City Forest Park.  This time it was a back-to-back training for kawan leaders and troop leaders from all over the region.  Kawan leaders are for the Kab Scouts while troop leaders are for the Boy Scouts.

In 2012, we conducted again a woodbadge training for Eastern Visayas region at Camp Danao, this time only for troop leaders.  This time Chona joined the training and survived the eight days without adequate sleep.  



Neighborhood scouting
I addressed to more than 200 scout executives, field scout executives, council staff members, and commissioners during the 52nd Annual National Scout Executives Conference at Bohol Plaza, Tagbilaran, Bohol in 2011.  I discussed our scouting programs in Southern Leyte Council and Eastern Visayas Region. 

We recruited street children to our Neighborhood Scouting program.  These twenty-two boys were out-of-school youth and they were called bakal boys because they steal iron and steel for selling to junk yards.  Sixteen of them survived the training and had joined a provincial and a national jamboree.  They stopped their stealing trade and planted vegetables at the backyard of the BSP office to earn money.

These boys were enrolled in the Alternative Learning System of the Department of Education.  They graduated on December 2011.  We are still hoping that some of these boys will get the Eagle Rank and become the first out-of-school youth in the whole Philippines to be advanced as Eagle Scouts.    


National recognition
I received two national awards during two Annual National Council Meetings.  The first one at Dusit Hotel, Makati City on 2002, recognizing the donation of a camp site for the boy scouts at Danao and the numerous financial assistance given by the city government to the BSP.  The second one a Bronze Usa Award at Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center, Iloilo City in 2010 for years of exemplary service to scouting.    

In October 2011, the Golden Jubilee Jamboree was held at Camp Danao, Maasin City Forest Park.  Fifty years had passed since the BSP Southern Leyte Council was established a year after the province was born.  

In December 2012, we had our Christmas Jamborette at the same venue.  We conducted our first Skills Olympics in October 2013 for boy and senior scouts.  In December 2013, because of Typhoon Yolanda, we cancelled the scheduled Christmas Jamborette and instead organized scouting activities simultaneously in each school.


Highest award
In December 2014 we had our 53rd Christmas Jamborette in commemoration of the 53rd anniversary of scouting in Southern Leyte.

During the 59th Annual Council Meeting at Tagum City, Davao del Norte on May 20-22, 2015 where I was awarded Most Outstanding Council Chairman.  I received the highest award given that time from Vice President Binay. I was also awarded the Silver Usa award.

I'm very glad that I am very much a part of scouting history in Southern Leyte and all throughout the country.  On my honor, I did my best to do my duty to God and my country.  

Scouting and sporting passion

On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my Country,
The Republic of the Philippines
And to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

A Scout is:  Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.

That's the Scout Oath and Law.  I was able to memorize it at the age of four before my kindergarten year.  My Aunt Fe Labatos, Mama's sister,  who was a teacher and a Scout adult leader in Merida, Leyte taught me how to recite the Scout Oath and Law.

Scouting in my childhood

Tiya Fe would let me execute a Scout sign and stand erect at a stair landing and utter the words of the great Scout Oath and the litany of the good qualities of a Boy Scout in the Scout Law.

Of course during those childhood years, I delivered these lines like a parrot, not knowing what the words really meant.  My first degree cousin who was older than me asked my parents what I was reciting about.

When I became a boy scout, I came to understand the essence of the promise which to me is a perfect covenant of service.  These commandments of Scouting embraces all facets of benevolence.  You can just imagine if all the people in all countries would follow these tenets of Scouting then the world will be a perfect place to live.

Scout Oath

The Scouting movement was founded by Lord Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell.  In August 1907 he organized a camp on Brownsea Island, England to test out his ideas in the book "Scouting for Boys" which he wrote.   About twenty boys attended, eight from local Boys' Brigade companies, a Christian youth organization, and about twelve public school boys who were mostly sons of his friends.

According to boyscouttrail.com the Scout Oath is "a solemn, formal declaration or promise to fulfill a pledge, often calling on God as witness."  It invokes high respect and esteem when the pledge starts with "On my honor."

To do the "best" is to perform the most outstanding and excellent action you could ever accomplish.  Especially in the three-fold duty to God and country, duty to others and duty to self.

"Pro Aris et Focis" is a Latin phrase which means "For God and country" which becomes a motto of families, military organizations and educational institutions.  It means serving God and country together is a prime duty of every citizen.  The country is a product of God's creation so we must love it as we love God.

Duty to God

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." - Mark 12:30.

The Supreme Being, The Almighty, The Divine Providence, God Himself is the Giver and Doer of all things.  He is the foremost center of our life. We must fulfill our religious obligations for ultimately all of us will be reunited with Him after this earthly existence.  That is if we follow His commandments and His teachings.

“Surely, Allah will fully compensate you for your deeds. Indeed, He is Aware of all that you do.” - The Quran 11:111 (Surah Hud).  Allah is the Arabic word of God. Christian Scouts and Muslim Scouts fulfill their duty to God.

"Character counts" to be morally straight as a scout.  All these are reflected in the Scout Law especially being reverent.  Reverence is a deep feeling or commitment to one's religious beliefs.

Love of country

Andres Bonifacio wrote:  "Love of country is always the desire of a man with honor; In songs, in poetry, in his writings the greatness of the country is always the theme."

We must respect our national flag for it is the symbol of our country and sing our national anthem with feelings for it reflects our patriotic ideals.  I always attend flag raising ceremonies every Monday at the city hall not only because it is in the Civil Service Commission regulations but I consider it a nationalistic duty.

The Code of Citizenship and Ethics of President Manuel L. Quezon said: "Love your country for it is the home of your people, the seat of your affections, and the source of your happiness and well-being. Its defense is your primary duty. Be ready at all times to sacrifice and die for it if necessary."

We show our patriotism by following the laws of the land, getting involved in the community and preserving the environment.  We show our concern by helping our government officials in their responsibilities not just criticizing them negatively.

Do a good turn daily

"Love your neighbor as yourself." - Mark 12:31.  This is a very famous Bible verse which Jesus Christ taught, a very splendid doctrine of doing our duty to others.

The Scout Slogan is "Do a good turn daily" and it requires us to "help other people at all times."  This is a helpful or friendly act or a favor for somebody.  Everyday find some little ways to make your neighbor happy.

We must make our life useful and it is worthwhile to be remembered as a person who made a difference in the lives of other people.  Being trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, and obedient shows your compassion and concern for your fellowmen.

Physically healthy

Finally caring for ourselves which comes last.  We must keep our body physically fit staying away from vices like smoking, alcoholism and illegal drugs.  Male and female smokers lose an average of 13.2 and 14.5 years of life, respectively, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Alcoholism can have adverse effects on mental health, causing psychiatric disorders.  Drugs which are prohibited cause intoxication, and later addiction and dependence.  In Balanga City, Bataan they exclaimed "Smoking, Alcoholism, Drugs make us SAD."

Physical exercise and promotion of healthy lifestyle maintains wellness to strengthen our immune system in order to prevent cardiovascular diseases, heart diseases, type2 diabetes and obesity.

Healthy mind and body

The Scout Motto is "Be Prepared" and according to Baden-Powell it means "You are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your Duty."

"Mens sana in corpore sano" means "a healthy mind in a healthy body."  This is the favorite slogan of the then Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) now named only Department of Education (DepEd).

Sports and physical fitness help us to be mentally awake.  Scouting involves lots of physical activities to keep our body strengthened and our mind awakened.

Sport in Scouting

According to British actor Robert Powell: "The sport in Scouting is to find the good in every boy and develop it."  Thus my scouting passion goes with my sporting passion.

When I first became a Municipal Councilor my thrust was primarily geared towards sports development.  Being obsessed at reading articles and stories on sporting success and watching games, I applied it on some programs in the municipality until Maasin became a city.

Sports is associated with good health and vitality if you personally engage yourself in games and exercises.  As Roman poet Virgil wrote "The greatest wealth is health." It started to popularize the favorite slogan "Health is wealth."


Sports is fun

Sports provide fun and entertainment if you play or just watch the competition.  It promotes tourism as in the case of athletic meets, tournaments, Asian Games and the Olympics.  These games advocate peace and camaraderie.

Students who excelled in their chosen endeavor can acquire athletic scholarships in colleges and universities.  Some of them were offered allowances, board and lodging and outfit.

Athletes travel a lot and see different places where the competitions are hosted.   They win friends by competing in the spirit of sportsmanship.  Players are powerful and energetic and are cut above the rest.


Outstanding Council Chairman

I was in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, the site of the 2015 Palarong Pambansa that time.  On May 20-22, 2015, I was in that city with the Scouting leaders all over the country to attend the Annual National Council Meeting (ANCM) led by Vice President Jejomar Binay, President of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.

I was chosen as Most Outstanding Council Chairman and received the award from VP Binay and Members of the BSP National Executive Board.  It was the highest national recognition a Boy Scout Local Council Chairman could be bestowed.

And it was the most prestigious distinction that I received since joining the worldwide movement of Scouting, this time as an adult leader and provincial scout head.


Scouting and sporting leaders

In the ANCM, I met Hon. Ariel Anghay, City Councilor of Iligan and Scout Executive of Iligan Council. He told me he was an avid fan of Philboxing.com of which I am a contributor and he reads it everyday.

City Councilor Venerando Rea and former Vice Mayor of Tayabas, Quezon was also there. He is the incumbent ABAP Regional President of Southern Luzon. A former City Vice Mayor, he is a licensed ABAP referee/judge.  ABAP is Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines.  There were several scouting and sporting officials whom I met there who shared the same passion.

Mayor Allan Rellon, the host Tagum City Mayor, is both a sporting and scouting enthusiast, also hosted the National Boy Scouts Jamboree in October 2015.

VP Binay himself is a fitness buff and he kept jogging/walking several kilometers everyday and played badminton to keep him physically fit.


Sports merit badge

"Scouting is a game for boys under the leadership of boys under the direction of a man," a quote from Lord Baden Powell.

The Cub Scouts Sports and Academic Program of the Boy Scouts of America is one method of addressing the third aim of Scouting: the development of physical, mental and emotional fitness.  Sports is a merit badge for advancement in the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.

According to the Scout Advancement Handbook, the list of merit badges in the Sports Group include Archery, Athletics, Boating, Cycling, Horsemanship, Marksmanship, Physical Fitness, Snorkeling, Swimming and Team Sports.

In Team Sports, the boy is required to explain sportsmanship and give several examples of good sportsmanship in sports.  He will relate these to everyday applications on citizenship outside the sports competition.


Sportsmanship

According to Joel Fish and Susan Magee in 101 Ways To Be A Terrific Sports Parent:  "Sportsmanship is an aspiration or ethos that a sport or activity will be enjoyed for its own sake, with proper consideration for fairness, ethics, respect, and a sense of fellowship with one's competitors."

In my speeches to young athletes in meets and tournaments, I always give emphasis on playing the games in the spirit of true sportsmanship and advocate teamwork among colleagues.

"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well," said Olympics founder Pierre de Coubertin.


Team sport

Furthermore in the Team Sport merit badge,  the scout sportsman is obliged to take part for one full season as a member of an organized team in one of the following sports: baseball, basketball, bowling, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball or any other recognized team sport.

There are sports leagues and tournaments where young athletes especially those in the secondary level can take part.  The most prestigious ones are the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).  There are several minor and regional athletic organizations.

The boy is also directed to compete in one of the following sports in two organized meets or tournaments: archery, badminton, bowling, cycling, judo, orienteering, swimming, table tennis, lawn tennis, track and field or any other recognized sport.

The Philippine Sports Commission organized the Philippine National Games and the Batang Pinoy with regional qualifying tournaments.  There are regional and provincial meets sponsored by the Department of Education.
                           

Teamwork 

The scout will also make a set of training rules for the sport selected, explain the importance of following these rules and apply them.  He is also required to design exercises for these sports and show how he will do these in the chosen sport in one season and how did his game progressed with these exercises, as prescribed by the Scout Advancement Handbook.

The sporting scout will also show proper techniques in the two sports selected and will be able to draw diagrams of their playing areas.  He will explain the rules and etiquette of the two selected sports, and describe the protective equipment needed.

More importantly, the boy should be able to explain the attributes of a good team leader and good team player.  This will train him for future team building as a professional and as a worker someday.

According to basketball great Michael Jordan: "Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships."


Sports for overall development

Throughout the world, sports are considered as tools for human development and contribute to the peace efforts.  They are instruments of fund raising and economic development and promotes tourism and livelihood.

The United Nations Inter-agency Taskforce on Sport for Development and Peace said “Incorporated into the definition of ‘sport’ are all forms of physical activity that contribute to physical fitness, mental well-being and social interaction. These include: play; recreation; organized, casual or competitive sport; and indigenous sports or games.”

I always told every City Schools Division Superintendent assigned in Maasin City Division that I want a separate coordinator for Sports and different one for Scouting.   In the some other divisions, one coordinator is appointed for both Scouting and Sports altogether,  I didn't want 50%-50% effort but a 100% endeavor for Scouting and 100% focus on Sports.