Ang tunay na lakas ng palakasan: A study of the state of sports in the Philippines and how it can be utilized as a tool for sustainable development in the Philippine society

Abstract

Sports have been part of society for as long as civil society has existed. It is tightly woven into human life that UNESCO (2008) recognized sports and physical activity as a human right in 1978. With a culture that has sports heavily embedded in it, sports have become a staple in every Filipino household. However, the promotion of sports and physical activity has now become more of a privilege than a right to the common people. Anchored on the belief that engagement in sports and physical activities impact social relations and social justice, this study aims to provide ways on how the aforementioned activities can promote genuine and sustainable development in the country. This study viewed sports at a macro-level perspective using cultural, historical, and political lenses. The researcher tries to establish that sports, and the values that they foster can offer a significant change in the cultural, economic, and political aspects of society. Amidst the pressing issues that the country is facing and the countless cases of bad governance in sports, such as corruption and human rights violations, sports is a worthy cause that the Philippines should prioritize. As a result, the data gathered revealed that today, sports are not so much about the game anymore but about the production of a commodity for consumption and profit. Even until today, there is still a misconception that sports are only heavily defined by their competitive nature, often forgetting the tons of health benefits it offers. Thus, the crafting of a strategic and sustainable sports program towards the holistic development for the whole Philippines, centered around the promoting unorganized play for the youth, is an imperative for the government to take if it wants to fully maximize the benefits it can offer.