Copyright 2021
Hardbound
1. FR. FILEMON I. DELA CRUZ, JR., OP
Prior Provincial,
Dominican Province of the Philippines
Sports is a very good vehicle for value and spiritual formation. This means that we need “sports gurus,” And this book is a good springboard as well as reference in the formation of such gurus.
2. FR. ROLANDO V. DELA ROSA, OP, PhD, SThD
Former Rector, University of Santo Tomas - Manila
Philosopher, Theologian, Historian, Writer
There was a time when we looked at life as permeated with religious imageries and meanings. We considered ourselves as participants in a cosmic story of creation, sin, and redemption. That bigger story gave a transcedent meaning to our experience of life and death, victory and failure, rewards and sacrifices. Our icons of devotion were the saints, the martyrs, and heroes as role models.
By providing an exhaustive historico-theologico-spiritual framework for the proper understanding of sports, Fr. Alaurin reminds us that when we starve our souls of that bigger story that teaches us the transcedent values and meaning of life, we desperately scavenge for inspiration and motivation from role models. This book is a must-read, especially during this time of the pandemic and the Olympic Games.
3. HON. BINKY FAVIS
Sportsman, Coach, Public Servant
“It’s only a game!” I can’t help but think about sports as more than just a game. I am deeply indebted to sports as I am deeply in love with the competition and the fervent spirit of winning. Through this book, Fr. Ed Alaurin, OP invites us to discover a rare dichotomy by thoroughly examining sports and its history by providing a closer look at Filipino-Christian values and spirituality. In his reflections, he masterfully captures the essence of sports in such a way that it is applicable to everyone and serves as an eye-opener to other lofty ideals. A page turner in the truest sense of the word; I give this opus my highest praise!
4. ALDIN V. AYO
Coach
My life as player, coach, family man and business entrepreneur is very much reflected in this book, SPORTS in the Philippines: History, Values, Spirituality by Fr. Edgardo D. Alaurin, OP, my former Athletic Moderator in Colegio de San Juan de Letran where we both experienced the glory of winning and the agony of defeat. There were sacrifices and struggles, but victory became the ultimate reward by possessing the will and the resolve to never give up and to eventually be victorious. These are realities in life with its ups and downs where we all have our own firsthand experiences. But in the end, we become victorious by rising up to varied challenges; we become by doing our best. This book reveals more than just we now about sports.
5. PROF. AUGUSTO AGUILA, PhD
University of Santo Tomas - Manila Editor
What makes Fr. Edgardo Alaurin’s book truly exceptional is that it does not only talk about sports per se, but more importantly, it also provides a historical background which dates back during the time of the Greeks and how sports have evolved through the centuries. This opus likewise takes an in-depth look into the philosophical and theological underpinnings of sports, which situate sports as more than just a physical activity or pastime but a discipline that is worthy of serious study. Fr. Alaurin’s opus is a must-have and must-read for sports practitioners and enthusiasts, academics, and scholars in the field of human kinetics, the lay faithful who wish to look at sports from different perspectives, and those who wish to be initiated into the wonderful world of sports.