BY GERARD ANTHONY NAVAL
PATINTERO in. Ragnarok out.
Educators yesterday launched Larong Pinoy
Campaign 2007 in a bid to rekindle interest on traditional
Filipino games.
"The kids of today need to spend time in
playing such games as this not only preserves our cultural
heritage but also helps children develop their physical and
psychological skills," said Dean Hercules Callanta of the
University of the Philippines College of Human Kinetics.
Callanta said outdoor play can strengthen the
respiratory system of children. He added that exercising
outdoors is also a good source of Vitamin D for growing kids.
"Nowadays, kids do not engage in outdoor
Filipino games as much as the older generation used to. The kids
of today need to spend time in playing such games as this not
only preserves our cultural heritage but also helps children
develop their physical and psychological skills," Callanta said.
Ragnarok, a popular computer game, keeps
children indoor. It is based in a mish-mash of characters from
Scandinavian sagas and Asian warrior tales.
Dr. Raul Pertierra, Sociology and
Anthropology professor at the Ateneo de Manila, said this is
unhealthy for Filipino children.
"Gaming preferences have always been a matter
of choice. Kids choose what they want to play. But these choices
have become limited. We have become largely influenced by
Western culture and have embraced technological innovations
wholeheartedly," he said.
"The preservation of our culture starts with
us and what we teach our children. We are in the position to
shape the minds of the young and develop nationalistic, healthy
and socially sound next generation of Filipinos," he said.
Ricky Brillantes of Department of Education’s
Physical Education Office said traditional Pinoy games can also
help develop traditional Filipino traits such as friendship,
sportsmanship and honesty.
"Playing Filipino games will give the
children an idea of a nationalist identity and will develop an
appreciation for Filipino culture and traditions," said Melissa
Fernandez-Abaya, child psychologist and co-owner of The Little
Apprentice School.
The campaign was launched yesterday at the
Museo Pambata in Manila. It will be brought to schools,
communities and barangays all over the nation.
Among the traditional games being promoted by
the campaign are luksong-tinik, sipa, tumbang preso, patintero,
garter, jolens and jackstone.
The campaign is spearheaded by Johnson & Johnson Philippines,
DepEd, Philippine Sports Commission, Games and Amusements Board,
National Commission on Culture and Arts and the Museo Pambata.
