The Tradit 3.0 nal Filipino Street Games are Alive PDF

Preview

Summary

01 Principles 15501 Principles 15501 Principles 15501 Principles 155...

Description

The Traditional Filipino Street Games are Alive in the Philippines

In today’s modern age of technology, are there children who still play the traditional Filipino street games, like Luksong Tinik, Patintero, Tumbang Preso, Sipa, Holen, Piko? With the popularity of the online games, XBox, PSP, iPad, and many interesting gadgets, some children have stopped going to the streets to play these games; and for most kids who live in fenced houses, they haven’t even heard of these games at all, which is sad because most of their parents have enjoyed these games when they were young. Actually, the Traditional Filipino Games are very much alive in the Philippines. It is not true that the Filipino Street Games are no longer played, as some would say that it has vanished in Philippine society in the age of computers and high-tech gadgets. In many urban and rural areas, a great majority of Filipino children still play outdoor street games as most of them are still unable to own expensive high-tech gadgets.

Traditional Filipino Games or games in the traditional Philippines are games commonly played by children, usually using native materials or instruments. In the Philippines, due to limited resources of toys of Filipino children, they usually come up on inventing games without the need of anything but the

1

players themselves. With the flexibility of a real human to think and act makes the game more interesting and challenging. A few decades ago, kids used to gather in the streets or in their neighborhood playground to play their favorite Larong Pinoy games like piko, patintero, taguan, tumbang preso, siyato, luksong tinik, etc. These has been their regular and popular pastimes, as well as the favorite games of their parents and grandparents until new and modern forms of entertainment has taken over the interests of young kids. The traditional Filipino games were overshadowed by technology. Add to this to the fact that most parents today are wary of sending their kids off to the streets to play because they are worried for their safety. But then, if it’s just across the house, the exercise that the kids will get from these games would be worth it because physical outdoor activity is really good for them.

Gone are the days when for kids, playing means going out in the sun, running, rolling, jumping and

shouting. Today, playing means facing the computer or other gaming device, pressing on buttons and keyboards, and spending the whole day just sitting around while facing the gadgets’ screens. Indeed, times change, and so are the people’s ways and practices. Parents nowadays often lament on the fact that their kids are no longer familiar with traditional games such as patintero, taguan, piko, and habulan. But still they continue to support their kids’ addiction to Angry Birds, or other digital games for that matter, by buying those new gadgets in which they could play these games. Some parents would even play with their kids on these new gadgets. Perhaps they get addicted to online games as much as their children do. There’s really nothing wrong with that. Technology is there for us to utilize to our advantage. And since they have become the source of entertainment for the kids of this generation, why not embrace it as well? The problem however, is when we totally abandon our past and forget the ways and practices of our childhood. Forgetting about our traditional games, and not putting an effort to introduce them to today’s younger generation, is like cutting the connection between the past and the present. 2

Introducing your kids to the traditional games is one way of instilling in them a sense of history. In that way, you do not only teach them something really interesting, but you also help them develop better futures by becoming aware of what transpired in the past, as represented by the fun games their parents did as kids. Try to find other option if you think your community is not conducive to street games. Be creative in finding the time and the venue to expose your kids to these Filipino games. Nowadays, you can go to the CCP area in Roxas Boulevard which has lots of open spaces where you and your kids can play. It will benefit them more because they will cherish these memories of you spending time and playing with them. Filipino games also help in bridging a connection between the kids and their elders, because these are the same games that were enjoyed by their parents and grandparents. The games serve as a common denominator among the members of the family. Let children experience the fun things of playing the Filipino Street Games. Those traditional and classic games –piko, tumbang preso, chinese garter, luksong tinik, sipa, patintero, and many more. These are the games that were far more enjoyable than playing digital games. These are the cheapest forms of child play that will greatly benefit kids’ physical, social, mental and emotional development. Play the games — these are the Filipino Games — the games of our heritage.

3

Larong Pinoy is the games of our heritage (Laro ng Lahi). It is a cultural treasure (yaman ng lahi) cherished by generations of Filipinos. It’s a favorite past-time that is close to the hearts of Filipinos, encompassing generations --- from our grandparents, to our parents, and among the youth & toddlers of today. Considering that almost 60% of the mass population in the Philippines don't have computers and still can't afford the high-tech game gadgets, the Filipino Traditional Street Games are still a favorite pasttime among children in heavy urban areas and provinces. The Filipino games brings good memories of friendship and fun among those who have played it. It brings a smile among our elders whenever they remember the days when they used to play it. It brings out the child among our parents when they mention it, and vividly remembering their childhood playmates and the neighborhood where they use to play it. It actually every adult's wish for the new generation of Filipino to experience the fun of the Traditional Street Games.

Recognizing the vital role of “outdoor play” on the overall well-being and development of children, Magna Kultura Foundation, an arts & culture NGO launched activities at the grassroots to reintroduction of traditional Pinoy games. Dubbed as “LARONG PINOY”, the program aims to bring back the fun and excitement of Traditional Filipino Games that our parents and grandparents used to play. Before the advent of the popular virtual games, these Pinoy games were the favorite pastime of young kids for generations. Since most of the kids nowadays are no longer familiar with these traditional games, Magna Kultura Foundation endeavors to reintroduce these once popular games to as many kids as possible through sports clinics & tournaments. 4

The Play Camp sports clinics features play instruction sessions with systematic drills and exercises, and mini-tournaments that teaches the official rules of the games. These Play Camps teaches children a host of favorite Pinoy street games like patintero, tumbang preso, piko, sipa, luksong tinik, siyato, holen, trumpo, and other street games.

Larong Pinoy is all about giving kids fun in the communities where they live, at the same time, promote healthy outdoor activities through play. Through this project, we aim to promote the healthy physical, mental and social development of today’s young people,” said Mr. Dickie Aguado, Executive Director of the Magna Kultura Foundation. Larong Pinoy is a Philippine cultural treasure. Magna Kultura’s purpose in conducting Larong Pinoy is to revive the games back in the mainstream of society, and to instill fundamental social values among the new generation of youth. The activities of the Larong Pinoy are intended to promote patriotism, strengthen family ties, and involve the community in worthwhile activities.

LARONG PINOY’S PROGRAMS GOALS ARE:

1. To INSTILL PATRIOTISM and love of things that are Filipino. Larong Pinoy is a light and subtle way of instilling the Filipino Spirit among children without lecturing or “preaching” about Patriotism. Anyone who experience Larong Pinoy never forget the memories of playing the games. It will always be a part of their lives. 2. To use the games as A Bridge for BONDING the YOUTH with PARENTS and ELDERS (lolo, lola, uncles, etc.) Before the era of modern games and high-gadgets, Larong Pinoy was the game of our 5

parents and ancestors. Providing children with the knowledge and experience of the games allows them to “connect” & relate with their relatives and other adults. 3. To ENLIVEN COMMUNITIES by bringing back the fun in neighborhood, with kids playing with their peers. In today’s modern age, kids seldom interact with neighbourhood children, having no “kababata”, having only “ka-Chat” who are virtual friends Facebook or YM. Larong Pinoy allows physical activity and paves the way to interaction with other children in the neighborhood.

Magna Kultura revives the traditional Filipino street games. Reaching out to children in communities, reviving fun in the neighborhood. Larong Pinoy promotes active play by giving children in the community something to play on. Larong Pinoy promotes healthy physical, social and mental development of young people. And best of all, it is all about giving kids fun in the communities where they live. Larong Pinoy promotes healthy outdoor activities through play. Larong Pinoy promotes a healthy lifestyle and active outdoor play among children in schools and barangays. It promotes physical (energy), social (camaraderie) and emotional (fun / shapes character) activities through outdoor activities. The physical and health benefits of outdoor play are obvious, yet the social and personal benefits are equally as important. Play is the way kids grow, learn and live. As children continue to grow, so do the skills they learn on the playground. From agility and strength-building to socialization and independence, some of our most important lifelong lessons are learned outside of the classroom. So, let the children play. And let them play the games of our heritage. It's the game of Filipinos.

IT'S MORE THAN JUST A GAME; IT IS A VEHICLE TO INSTILL PATRIOTISM AMONG THE NEW GENERATION. One day these kids will join society's league, and they will Play with the TEAM called Filipino race.

6...