It’s not the fault of the irrepressible Mocha Uson if her sudden fame and closeness to the Duterte administration had excited a usually staid sector of the academe. Maybe the president of the UST Alumni Association felt it was perfectly fine to give Ms Uson an award as outstanding alumna of the Pontifical University.
All in the game; it’s also to each his own.
It was just unfortunate that the award for Ms Uson was instantly decried, as hell broke loose in social media, mainly among critics of the administration.
Ms Mocha decided to hand back the award, while the UST alumni association president resigned.
Pray that’s the end of the silly skirmish.
Anyway, as it has become a fad to bestow honor and give recognition in practically all fields of endeavor, it could help if those involved in these activities would try some foolproof projects.
This could be a little tedious, it also doesn’t promise to be a big hit. But it could help if they also look the way of certified heroes of yesteryears who have long been dusted off and forgotten.
For one, we have a long-standing request from an elderly heir to a Filipino sports great who shone brightest during the Far Eastern Olympic Games. His name is Ramon P. Avena, 85, son of Vicente Avena, a forgotten national basketball and volleyball standout.
His plea: Please, can I request for an audience with Chair Butch Ramirez of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). I would like to explain to him and identify the Great Filipino Athletes who brought honors and medals to our country in the Far Eastern Olympic Games from 1915 to 1927. Their feats have all been forgotten, nobody remembers them. All of their great achievements have been forgotten.
(Magandang umaga po. Maari po ba na makahingi ng request sa iyo na mabigyan ako ng pagkakataon na makausap po si Mr. Butch Ramirez ng Philippine Sports Commission, para po naman malaman o mabigyan ng pagkakataon na maipaliwanag po sa kanya ang Magigiting na Atletang Pilipino na nagbigay karangalan sa ating bayan nuong Far Eastern Olympic Games noong dekada 1915 hanggang 1927. Nakalimutan na sila at ang mga karanglang naibigay nila sa Bayan. Salamat po. RAMON P. AVENA, cellphone 09175275035)
Paging the PSC and the Philippine Sportswriters Association, too.