Cebu lost another gem. Ricky Ballesteros who used to run the Sinulog Foundation Inc. and the Cebu City Sports Center passed on. Family members said he succumbed to a heart attack. Many still think he was gone too soon. I was one of them.
My encounters with him were work related. Whenever we needed updates about the coming Sinulog festival, he would always gladly answer them even if the event was half a year away. He made sure that every information on the festival, no matter how little, was fairly reported. He knew that the Sinulog would need its maximum coverage to maintain the status that it has now; the country's largest and grandest festival.
When the Sinulog is over, he shifts his hat into being a sports enthusiast. He would organize sports events not only for the Cebuanos but the whole region. Ballesteros always saw to it that Cebu had a stake in all types of sports --from board games to dance sports to team sports. He believed in the youth and what they could do to raise the bar of the city even higher. I saw him attend meeting after meeting just to make sure everything would go smoothly.
However, he did not hold that position for so long even if he loved it very much. As these events are cultural in nature, politics would sometimes dictate one's career. Yet, this did not stop Ballesteros from doing what he is most good at; promoting culture. He worked with his network to collaborate so that he could still produce events that were up his alley. His latest one was his role with the Korean embassy, making sure that our own Cebuano dances were presented on the international stage. By making sure, he did not only push them to join but to also make sure that they were fully supported until they would win.
On a personal note, Ballesteros knew how to look at situations from an objective point of view. During the height of the ABS-CBN shutdown, he recognized the huge loss that it would have into the local media landscape. As a friend, he sent us messages to comfort us and that we should find our strength in the divine being.
Ballesteros will surely be missed. No one has been at par with what he has done, or maybe that person has yet to be born. Whatever that is, he has big shoes to fill. Despite this loss, may we pick up lessons along the way and be a "Sir Ricky" in our own little ways. This starts with loving our very own and supporting our own talents. Ballesteros knew that we all had that potential --be its sports or cultural events. He took a chance and proved to the whole world that it was worth it. Never did he put down anyone for his own agenda. He took challenges seriously and made sure he would rise above them. We can all continue Sir Ricky's legacy with our kindness.