By Edwin Rollon
For Manila Sports Council (MASCO) Chief Dale Evangelista, the dream is crystal clear—he wants to see more Batang Maynila march proudly in the Olympics and bring home medals for the country.
“That’s my dream,” Evangelista declared during the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. (TOPS) Usapang Sports forum yesterday at the PSC Conference Room. “But the reality is very clear. With Mayor Isko Moreno's support, MASCO is working to make Manila the top sports city in the country again.
He takes inspiration from gymnastics hero Carlos Yulo, a proud son of Malate. “The last Filipino so far with a double gold medal in the Olympics is a pure Manileno,” he said, beaming. “And that tells us we can do it again.”
Since taking the MASCO helm, Evangelista wasted no time in rolling out programs that focus on continuity—not just in training but also in education. “When we talk about athletes, we don’t only talk about medals. We talk about values, discipline, and making sure they succeed in life, whether in sports or beyond,” he explained.
Grassroots development, he stressed, is the backbone of his plan. Evangelista launched barangay-level sports programs, strengthened coordination with public and private schools, and tied up with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), led by Chairman Pato Gregorio, for the use of national training facilities.
“In Manila, we already have the Dapitan Sports Center and the Tondo Sports Complex. Both are under repair and maintenance so our kids can use them. But Chairman Gregorio’s opening of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex is a big blessing for Batang Maynila. It gives our young athletes a chance to train in world-class facilities,” he said.
Evangelista’s mission goes beyond infrastructure—it’s about reviving the city’s rich sporting legacy. “Under Yorme Isko, we can restore Manila as a sports center in the country,” he emphasized. “We can do it, and that is what we will do.”
Part of that mission is to challenge Pasig City’s supremacy in the Batang Pinoy games this October 24 to November 1 in General Santos City. Manila will see action in 15 out of 24 sports.
“Of course, we want to dominate everything,” Evangelista admitted with a smile. “But right now we know we have a big fight in athletics, aquatics, boxing, gymnastics, karate, weightlifting, chess, and taekwondo. These are where we’ll put our focus.”
Supporting him in aquatics is his brother Darren Evangelista, a veteran coach and organizer, who is spearheading the Yorme Swimming Cup set for September 27-28 at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Center.
“So far, 40 teams have registered, and we expect over 700 swimmers,” Darren shared. “This is just the beginning. With partners like Right Med and Balay Royales Spa, and with tournaments in running, weightlifting, and golf lined up, we’re creating more avenues for Batang Maynila to shine.”
For Dale Evangelista, it’s not just about producing champions. It’s about igniting a movement. “When you see kids train hard, when you see them dream, you realize that Manila can truly be a cradle of champions again,” he said. “And one day, I want to see more Manilenos carrying the flag in the Olympics.”
