Pinoy Games for Kids
In this digital era, children are more into virtual games than traditional games. Instead of children playing the Pinoy game “luksong tinik” or “patintero,” kids today would rather stay indoors and play Candy Crush or Flappy Bird on their smart phones or tablets. This is a sad truth, knowing that traditional Pinoy games are definitely more fun and have more benefits compared to their digital counterparts.
One obvious benefit of Pinoy traditional games is that they are physical. They require children to run and jump. To be win in these games, kids need to be alert, agile, and quick. Thus, these games not only help children to become strong and healthy, but the games also develop coordination and mental alertness in kids.
In addition, Pinoy traditional games do not need expensive equipment. “Siatong,” for example, only requires two sticks of different lengths, while “sipa” only needs washers from shredded pieces of cloth or plastic. For the game “bahay-bahayan,” children would need such spare objects as large carton boxes and transform them into play houses, decorating them with items that can be easily found in their surroundings. The game stimulates the Filipino child’s creativity and imagination.
Most importantly, Pinoy traditional games are meant to teach kids Filipino values. These games require more than one participant. Playing with other children helps kids develop their interpersonal skills. The games instill in the kids the values of cooperation, honesty, persistence, and fair play.
Dr. Catherine Rodel of the Social Sciences Division of UP Cebu believes in the importance of promoting traditional Pinoy games that involve physical activity and interaction, because children are meant to play and talk with other children. She says everyone needs to know that our traditional games are still alive and that we should continue to work to keep them alive.
For this year’s “Gabii sa Kabilin” (“Night of Heritage”) on May 30, UP Cebu highlights traditional games such as “luksong tinik,” “bato-lata/tumbang preso,” “patintero,” “piko,” and “sipa.” On the same night, Aboitizland’s “Handurawan sa Karaang Sugbo” in Plaza Parian will feature games such as “sungka,” “luksong tinik,”
siatong,” and “piko.” These events aim at introducing Pinoy traditional games to the new generation of kids, while, at the same time, re-introducing the games for the kids-at-heart, reliving the joy and happy memories of their childhood.