A tribute to sports, arts legacy
Far Eastern University honored the life and legacy of Alfredo Reyes, a pioneering figure in FEU athletics and the performing arts, through a centennial celebration. A century after his birth, Reyes’s legacy continues through the athletes and artists he championed and the generations of Tamaraws inspired to pursue excellence on the field, on the court, and on the stage.
Reyes recruited around 100 dancers from the FEU’s Physical Education Department and enlisted Corazon Iñigo as coach in preparation for an invitation to perform Filipino folk dances at the Brussels World Expo. Their partnership laid the foundation for the troupe, which later evolved into the FEU Dance Company. He and Iñigo co-founded the FEU Folk Dance Troupe in 1957.
The FEU Dance Company, FEU Theater Guild, and FEU Chorale honored Reyes through performances reflecting the artistic and cultural programs he helped nurture.
The program also highlighted Reyes’s role in developing FEU’s athletics program and helping its athletes reach the international stage. He also held leadership positions in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and several national sports organizations and served with Philippine delegations to the Olympic Games, Asian Games, and a high-ranking sports official representing the Philippines in the World Universiade Games (now known as the FISU World University Games).
For Reyes, athletics and the arts were forms of education that developed discipline, resilience, teamwork, and the courage to perform under pressure. Former athletes and dancers remembered him as a mentor and advocate who supported their needs and opened opportunities beyond their years as students and performers.
A video presentation featuring FEU Athletics Senior Director Mark Molina reflected on how Reyes’s vision was continued by his nephew, Anton Montinola, and succeeding generations of FEU sports leaders. Alfredo “Bibo” Reyes III, Reyes’s grandson, delivered a response on behalf of the family last Sept. 22 at the FEU Auditorium.
Martin Lopez, Senior Director of the FEU Center for the Arts, led the audience through Reyes’s life and contributions to the University and Philippine sports and culture.
“What made Alfredo Reyes truly remarkable was not only his position as head of Athletics, but the affection and respect he earned from the people around him,” Lopez said. “He was loved because he did more than manage talent—he nurtured people.”
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