BY WAYLON GALVEZ
From his time as a PBA coach to being a public servant now, Vincent “Binky” Favis uses the same winning formula.
In both occasions, the Paranaque City Counsilor uses a team concept in order to achieve his goal.
It’s effective even at these trying times when the country is gallantly fighting an enemy so formidable that it put almost everything to stand.
“Parehas lang din ang pananaw ko, team concept pa din. Kung dati sa basketball mayroong teamwork, dedication, honesty and, of course discipline, ito pa din naman and konsepto ko bilang konsehal,” said Favis.
“That’s one of the biggest challenges that we have been facing – discipline the people. Not just in our city, or in Metro Manila, but the entire country. Even in other parts of the world that’s the problem.”
There have been numerous reports of people not practicing social distancing or disregard calls to wear facemasks, or orders to stay home and not go out without proper Identification Card as the country is on a Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) until April 30.
There were even videos that went viral of people gathering for illegal gambling, drinking sessions despite the liquor ban, and they were punished by authorities due to these activities.
However, slowly but surely, Favis said that Filipinos are learning to have discipline since the virus – if infected – is a serious illness that can lead to death as more than 300 have already died.
“For me, I try to look at it on a positive aspect. Within this challenge, it teaches everyone to give discipline better importance. Natuturuan ang tao para maging disiplinado, and nakikita naman natin,” said Favis.
Favis, 50, guided the Letran Knights to the NCAA championship back in 1999 and called the shots for a few squads in the now defunct Philippine Basketball League (PBL).
He finally became a head coach in the PBA with the Coca-Cola Tigers from 2005 to 2008 seasons.
As a public servant, Favis is now on his third and final term as councilor in the second district of Parañaque City, which he said is handling the health crisis and the ECQ quite well.
“I could very proudly say that our city is handling it very good. We’re quite fortunate, because we’re getting also support from the business sector and other stakeholders in the city,” said Favis.
“All the 16 barangays – from the barangay captains to konsehals – lahat sila masisipag sa pag-disinfect, sa pamimigay ng donations. Unfortunately things are not just enough, kulang na kulang.”
“We’re a city with almost a million of population, I wish we had less (COVID-19) cases. All together the city is in a very challenging situation, but the city is doing its best,” added Favis.
