By: Waylon Galvez
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso has approved the Philippine Sports Commission’s plans to improve the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, a sports facility owned by the City of Manila but managed by the national government’s sports agency.
The complex is located at the corner of Pablo Ocampo Sr. (formerly Vito Cruz) and Adriatico Streets in Manila.
PSC officials, led by newly appointed chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, paid a courtesy call to Domagoso on Thursday. Among the key topics discussed was the planned refurbishment of the historic sports venue.
“You have my support. If you want to improve the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, you may proceed,” said Domagoso during the meeting.
The veteran public servant was elected as Mayor of Manila in the most recent elections, marking his second term in the post after first being elected in 2019.
Domagoso, whose wife Dynee Ditan-Domagoso represented the Philippines in various international taekwondo competitions in the 1990s, emphasized the importance of a comprehensive sports program for the city.
As part of his efforts to revitalize grassroots sports, he appointed Dale Evangelista — a multi-medal winner and former Southeast Asian Games water polo player and coach — as director of the Manila Sports Council. The appointment is aimed at developing not just youth athletes, but also broader participation among the city’s residents.
Domagoso also requested the PSC to coordinate with MASCO to allow Manila-based athletes access to the Rizal Memorial facilities for training. This is particularly timely as preparations are underway for the upcoming Batang Pinoy tournament scheduled for October in General Santos City.
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One sport Domagoso specifically mentioned was water polo, which he said should be included in public school sports programs. He noted that the city already has aquatic facilities that can support such initiatives and nurture potential athletes.
However, Domagoso made it clear that his vision is not limited to a single sport. He hopes Manila will play a key role in discovering and developing future national athletes across multiple disciplines, especially those contested in the Olympic Games — such as archery, athletics, boxing, fencing, gymnastics, swimming, taekwondo, and weightlifting.
For his part, Gregorio expressed gratitude for the mayor’s support and lauded the alignment of their goals for Philippine sports.
“We thank the Mayor for his support,” said Gregorio, who was accompanied by PSC commissioners Olivia “Bong” Coo, Walter “Wawit” Torres, Edward Hayco, and Matthew “Fritz” Gaston.
“We all know that Manila is a strong athletic hub in the Philippines, having a large number of sports facilities and a robust school/university circuit,” added Gregorio, who was appointed as PSC chairman last week by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
