Unity in sports

Togetherness is the theme of today’s celebration of the 21st anniversary of the EDSA Revolution of 1986 and the country’s most influential sports leaders are gathering to show unity in an extravaganza at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium this afternoon.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose Cojuangco Jr., Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William Ramirez and BAP-Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP) president Manny Pangilinan will be at courtside to witness what project manager Carlos (Bobong) Velez calls "a grand sports event."

Velez is known in sports circles as the ultimate promoter. He earned a reputation for his magic touch through the years, leading his "baby" Vintage Enterprises to the top of the industry as the long-time TV producer of the Philippine Basketball Association. Today, Velez is busy with his popular Mezze Restaurant in Greenbelt II and in partnership with Dolores Cheng, runs Reverie Communications Services.

The extravaganza’s theme is "unity in sports" and Velez envisions a fun, exciting and unified way of celebrating People Power, promoting national unity and love for country among all Filipinos through sports.

The show is a project of the EDSA People Power Commission and the Spirit of EDSA Foundation in cooperation with the POC, PSC, and BAP-SBP through tourism assistant secretary Cynthia Carrion’s initiative. Sponsors are Philippine Long Distance Tel. Co., Smart Communications and Burger King.

Emcee Dingdong Dantes opens the program at 3 p.m. The Ateneo Glee Club will sing the national anthem then Pangilinan will be introduced for an inspirational message.

It’s appropriate that Pangilinan will be the first speaker because he played a key role in uniting the fragmented sectors of Philippine basketball towards the lifting the country’s suspension by FIBA only a few days ago. Pangilinan was a shining example of selfless leadership in the unification process.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, whose son-in-law Eric Buhain was a bemedalled former national swimmer and is now the Games and Amusements Board chairman, will deliver the keynote address.

After the speeches, People Power commissioner Christopher Carrion will award plaques of recognition to Pangilinan, Cojuangco and Ramirez. Then Pangilinan will make the ceremonial toss for the first game, assisted by Ermita, Cojuangco and Martinez.

The preliminary contest will feature showbiz celebrities. Playing coach Philip Salvador will head the Red Team whose lineup lists Onyok Velasco, Jestoni Alarcon, Jordan Herrera, Gean Padilla, Ian Veneracion, Joko Diaz, Jimwel Stevens, Ace Espinosa and Jason Abalos. Tirso Cruz III is the White Team’s playing coach. His teammates are Boyet de Leon, James Blanco, Mark Fernandez, Bayani Agbayani, Zoren Legaspi, Carlos Morales, Jay Manalo, Emilio Garcia and Rayver Cruz.

Former pros Allan Caidic, Bong Hawkins, Philip Cezar and Atoy Co will reinforce the celebrity squads.

At halftime, there will be exhibitions of ballroom dancing and taekwondo in synchronized poomse. After the contest, the choirs of Ateneo and La Salle will combine to sing "We Must Be One." A sepak takraw exhibition will follow.

The main event, hosted by James Deakin, will be the much-awaited battle between senior varsity champions University of Sto. Tomas and San Beda College. At the end of the game, the De La Salle University Inner Soul Pop Group will perform "Handog" as a fitting finale.

An interesting sidelight is the appearance of the new San Beda coach. Koy Banal, who piloted the Red Lions to the NCAA crown this past season, is no longer with the varsity. And it’s still a mystery who the next San Beda coach will be.

NBN-4 will air the show live from 3 to 8 p.m. Admission to the stadium is free.