FOR SPORTS IN MINDANAO. Physical Education teachers, coaches, and graduate students attended in ‘kapihan’ hosted by Xavier Ateneo and Mindanao Peace Games. Supplied photo.
Over 20 Physical Education teachers and coaches from public and private schools in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon gathered in a kapihan (coffee) session on June 23 held at the Xavier University Gymnasium Dug-out to talk about empowering more women into leadership positions in the field of sports.
“Physical Education is not a second-class subject,” said guest speaker Dr Edna C delos Santos, former dean of the College of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (SPEAR) of Mindanao State University (MSU) and professor of the Graduate School of the Higher Education Department of Lourdes College.
Delos Santos added that Physical Education “should not be taken for granted” and that PE teachers and coaches should serve as good examples to others, especially to the young athletes. Her Master of Arts in Education in Physical Education students from Lourdes College also attended the said session.
This was the second kapihan hosted by the Athletics Office of Xavier Ateneo and the Mindanao Peace Games (MPG) this year.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION. “Physical Education is not a second-class subject,” said guest speaker Dr Edna C delos Santos, former dean of the College of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (SPEAR) of Mindanao State University (MSU) and professor of the Graduate School of the Higher Education Department of Lourdes College. Supplied photo.
During the first kapihan in April, Jessica Esparrago, an XU Physical Education faculty member and Dan Blackbelt-holder of Japan Karate Association - Asia Pilipinas, said that women in sports should be able to explore and develop their potentials in their chosen fields.
“We can achieve this by creating games focused on women athletes and events hosted or officiated by the women officials,” Esparrago said.
“As coaches, we are eager to develop further our coaching and officiating skills. There is a need for capacity-building programs and good venues for our practice sessions and games, particularly for those who are in the far-flung areas of Mindanao. We really need support from the government and private sector to strengthen our sports program in schools and barangays.”
The Mindanao Peace Games (MPG) organization is a group (founded by the athletics leaders from the three Jesuits universities of Mindanao) composed of coaches, athletes, and sports educators from private universities and colleges in Mindanao. They aim to promote peace on the second largest island in the Philippines through sports and education.∎
WOMEN IN SPORTS. Jessica Esparrago, an XU Physical Education faculty member and Dan Blackbelt-holder of Japan Karate Association - Asia Pilipinas, said that women in sports should be able to explore and develop their potentials in their chosen fields. Supplied photo.