DREAMS live on for children evacuees of war-torn Marawi City as the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) recently conducted a special Children’s Games for some 350 participants in Iligan City, barely 37 kilometers away from the city in crisis.
While armed clashes between government troops and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis)-inspired Maute Group remained fresh in their minds, children evacuees were given a two-day breather to just enjoy a day of fun, laughter and friendship that brought out the best in them – their talents, hopes, prayers anddreams.
Yes, Christian and Muslim children played together at the Sgt. Miguel Canoy Memorial Cultural School in Baru-un in traditional Filipino games, volleyball and football, among others.
Eleven-year-old Almira of the Maranao tribe cited the Children’s Games as “maganda, masaya”. The fifth grader said she won’t ever forget playing soccer and volleyball as well as the magic show.
However, the war did not dampen her spirits but ignited even more the desire to be able to serve the country when she grows up.
“Gusto kong maging sundalo,” Almira said, inspired by the way the soldiers fought and risked their lives to save their city from the extremist rebels. She is the fifth among 10 children of a carpenter and a hospital staff but two of her siblings died of cancer.
Just like Almira, 11-year-old Barry also thanked the PSC for holding games at the evacuation center as he urged his fellow evacuees to study hard.
“Salamat sa PSC sana pagpalain kayo ni Allah at bigyan kayo ng blessings. Salamat sa lahat ng ginawa nyo sa amin. Sa mga katulad ko, mag-aral ng mabuti,” the doctor’s son said.
Elmayana, who were among those who performed, said, “Nagpapasalamat ako kasi nawala ang trauma ko sa Isis. Prayer ko na matapos na ang gyera.”
Meanwhile, teenagers of Marawi City also took part in dancing, singing and role playing during the event.
Aleha, 15, said her experience was “touching, nakakatawa at maganda”. She ate to her heart’s content with the free meals and snacks PSC provided. She also enjoyed dancing with her friends.
Seventh grader Mahathir, 14, said, “Salamat po nawalan po kami ng phobia at takot sa (nangyayari sa) Marawi. Na-enjoy ko ang practice namin at pagsasadula. Payo ko lang sa mga kabataan na wag mawalan ng pag-asa at mag-aral hangga’t makatapos.”
Aiza, 15, was appreciative of the talents that her fellow Marawi teens have. “Magagaling po lahat, wag lang tayong mawalan ng pag-asa at manalig lang sa Diyos,” she said.
Her 17-year-old sister Alex, for her part, said: “Masaya at nakakawala ng stress. Nakasama ko pang kumain ang mga friends ko. Sana matapos na ang gyera saMarawi para makauwi na kami.”
Chanesa, 13, said that she’s grateful to have bonded with other children. “Nakapag-theater kami ng sama-sama, masayang-masaya po. Di baleng bakwit basta may talento. Salamat PSC sa tulong ninyo.”
PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, in a press conference, last week said that the play therapy through the Children’s Games, a primary component of the agency’s Sports for Peace Program, will not be the last intervention that will be done to Marawi children evacuees as he plans to send more sports psychologists and hold more sports programs for them with the Philippine Sports Institute (PSI). PSI deputy training director Henry Daut, also from the Marawi State University, spearheaded the play therapy program among the children evacuees.