Thursday, April 26, 2012

The Traditional Filipino Street Games As A Cultural Heritage Treasure


PALARONG PINOY: THE TRADITIONAL FILIPINO STREET GAMES


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 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 past-time among children in heavy urban areas and provinces.  

The Traditional Filipino Street Games brings back good memories of friendship and fun among those who have played it.  It brings a smile among adults and elders whenever they remember the days when they used to play it.  It brings out "the child" in every parent when they mention it; vividly remembering their childhood playmates and the neighborhood where they use to play it.  It is actually every adult's wish for the new generation of Filipino kids to experience the fun of the Traditional Street Games.     



INTRODUCING THE TRADITIONAL FILIPINO STREET

GAMES AMONG KIDS IN THE MODERN AGE



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 reintroduce the 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 endeavored to reintroduce these once popular games to as many kids as possible through sports clinics & tournaments.

Magna Kultura's Larong Pinoy Play Camps (sports clinics) featured 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.  

Magna Kultura's Larong Pinoy Play Camps is all about giving kids fun in the communities where they live, at the same time, promote healthy outdoor activities through play. 

Dickie Aguado, Executive Director of the Magna Kultura Foundation: through this project, Magna Kultura also aims to promote the healthy physical, mental and social development of today’s young people.



Larong Pinoy 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, involve the community in worthwhile activities.



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 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.


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For more details about the program, contact

MAGNA KULTURA FOUNDATION
Direct Line: Tel No. 5145868
CP Nos.: 0917.899.0025 (Globe) or 0922.899.0026 (Sun)
Email Address: kulturapilipinas@gmail.com

VISIT THE LARONG PINOY INFORMATION SITES AT
Magna Kultura Foundation:  http://magnakulturafoundation.webs.com/
Kultura Pilipinas:  http://kulturapilipinas.webs.com/

Wikipedia Info on Traditional Games of the Philippines

WikiPilipinas on the Traditional Filipino Games





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CONTACT INFO. 
DICKIE AGUADO, Executive Director - MAGNA KULTURA FOUNDATION
Tel. Nos. :  (02) 514-5868 /  Mobile: 0917-8990025 or 0922-8990026
Email: kulturapilipinas@gmail.com