Aquino to ADMU, DLSU athletes: May politicians emulate you

Natashya Gutierrez

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Aquino to ADMU, DLSU athletes: May politicians emulate you
President Benigno Aquino III praises the unity and sportsmanship shown by the rival teams to each other, something he wishes politicians would learn from

MANILA, Philippines – If President Benigno Aquino III had his way, he would prefer politicians to be more like the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Spikers and Lady Spikers, and the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers.

In a Palace luncheon to honor the athletes who took home the UAAP Season 76 volleyball crown in both the men’s and women’s tournament, Aquino lauded the young athletes for the “spirit of unity and sportsmanship” they showed despite the intense rivalry between their schools.

Aquino said the ADMU women’s volleyball team requested the courtesy call on him, but he thought he should also invite the 1st runner up of the tournament, the DLSU Lady Spikers, for their equally impressive performance; and the Ateneo Blue Spikers for winning the men’s tournament.

“Indeed, you student athletes mirror the energy, enthusiasm, and determination of your generation. You are a model of unusual skill and ability of the Filipino youth to succeed, in whatever field they choose or desire,” he said.

He also said the gathering showed that despite intense competition, the athletes are friends in reality, joking that his speechwriters told him there are even some athletes who are dating athletes from their rival schools. The camera then panned to DLSU volleyball player Mika Reyes, who is in a relationship with ADMU basketball star Kiefer Ravena.

TEAM PHILIPPINES. President Benigno Aquino III in a souvenir shot with UAAP women's volleyball back-to-back champion Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles, 1st runner-up De La Salle University Lady Spikers, and the AdMU Blue Spikers in Malacañang on March 24, 2015. Photo by Benhur Arcayan/Malacañang Photo Bureau

Aquino said he wished politicians would emulate the same sort of openness to and friendship with their opponents.

“Today, where there are many who push for chaos and division in various parts of the world, including in our own country, many can learn from the example you’ve shown. Even if you are in the center of an age-old rivalry between Ateneo and La Salle, you do not let yourselves be carried away by the taunting,” he said.

“At your age, you have shown, even to your elders, the power of humility and working together.”

Aquino added, “It made me think: I wish politicians, as well as member of other sectors of society, will also show the same cooperation. If they experience a rivalry or competition, I hope they ask themselves: Is this rivalry healthy? And in criticism, may they ask: Is this constructive?”

MVP. Two-time UAAP women's volleyball MVP Alyssa Valdez has a selfie with President Benigno Aquino III, AdMU president Jose Ramon Villarin, Education Secretary Armin Luistro. Photo by Ryan Lim/Malacañang Photo Bureau

The President said this is the lesson he hopes the youth will take in their minds and hearts, that while Filipinos live in various islands and have differences, in the end, “we are one Philippine team.”

In recent weeks, Aquino openly slammed his critics, calling them “attention seekers” merely sowing negativity without offering alternatives. Various sectors have criticized him for his perceived poor handling of a police operation in Mamasapano against top terrorists which killed at least 67, including 44 elite cops, 18 Moro rebels, and 5 civilians.

Aquino’s message of being on the same Philippine team is also reminiscent of his administration’s continued push for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law which aims to bring peace between Moro rebels and the government. The proposed measure has lost support among lawmakers and the public, after the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) was seen as responsible for the death of the 44 cops.

The MILF blamed this on the police team’s failure to coordinate with them, as provided in its ceasefire agreement with the government on operations in known MILF territories, which it reiterated in its final report on the incident. – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!
Face, Happy, Head

author

Natashya Gutierrez

Natashya is President of Rappler. Among the pioneers of Rappler, she is an award-winning multimedia journalist and was also former editor-in-chief of Vice News Asia-Pacific. Gutierrez was named one of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders for 2023.