TRADITIONAL FILIPINO GAMES ( Larong Pinoy )

* Games and Sports Culture *

 "TRADITIONAL FILIPINO GAMES,IS IT STILL ALIVE?"

            By: Boffill Bernardes

               December 3, 2012

   Some kids in an highly urbanized cities in the Philippine nowadays are very exposed to the high tech gadgets. Example are my niece and nephew. They have PSP Vita, iPod Touch, iPod Nano, Kindle, Laptop and mobile phones. All of their spare time are being spent in front of this gadgets and I don't know if they could still play outside like the kids back in the 90s. When I was a kid, I used to play tagu-taguan, habulan, patintero and all the kid stuff played at the street. I think it has been passed from the old days up to the next generation but right now, kids don't play those games anymore. Kids this days plays Dota, Farmville, Mafia Wars, Angry Birds and list goes on and on. It's like the traditional Filipino games are being erased and will now remain a history. 

   I was amazed when I saw some kids playing at the street when I was able to visit a certain place in Villaba, Leyte. They played "syatong" and "bomber or bummer" (I don't know the exact spelling). I was happy watching them because I was able to recall my childhood games. Compared to the games being played by kids nowadays, the traditional Filipino games are more actively played and I think it's more fun. I just hope that this won't be forgotten by kids and would still be played on the streets.

               

SUMMARY:

   According to the message made by Boffill Bernardes entitled, "Traditional Filipino games, is it still alive?", the childhood of the young ones are being under the influence and conviction of the new generation, which is the generation of Technology and New Advancements which are the reputations of belonging to highly urbanized cities in the Philippines. The first picture explains that traditional games are "larong lahi" and a message that we should all join and be true and patriot to the game we should all join and play. Another picture shows the traditional Filipino games like luksong tinik, patintero, sarangola, piko and sungka and others. Although, these fun and exciting  games are now being buried in our memories above the rising influence of new generation games such us computer and online games which definitely changes the perspective of children on playing and enjoyment. These new age games are more on personal interaction and indoor while the old and traditional ones are played with outdoor and a community interaction. The video shows us the children who get out of their houses and interact with other kids playing the old and traditional Filipino games with full of excitement and enjoyment and at the end of the day, there is a great feeling of tiredness even with injuries and at the same time happiness for the young ones, leaving a message from the background music that all children, rich or poor, black or white, all have the rights as a child to play in an environment and enjoy their young lives under the Filipino tradition and we should not let the new generation and future generations to be a hinder to totally bury our culture instead we should live whole-heartedly the history of our traditional games now and forever. 

   
      

REFLECTION: 

   The message was created by Boffill Bernardes. The creative technique that was used to attract my attention was through the use of media through his blogsite. About the issue that traditional Filipino games are not anymore implemented and already gone, I felt regretful and depressed about because I used to remember how fun it was interacting with my playmates during my childhood and playing these old Filipino games and now it was all gone and nobody seems to remember and everyone is distracted by technology. I felt happy and proud though reading the blog and viewing the video, because it was a form of remembrance and memory to my childhood that I use to play these games. Other people might view this as a boring issue or already dead issue or as we say "past is past", but I see this as a commemoration and remembrance to the Filipino traditional games. The main reason why this message is being sent is simply to remind us Filipinos that our traditional games are not yet dead, some revive them and share to the new generation in different ways and the message was a sign that technologies will someday die and be replaced, but the memorable experiences and traditions that we cherish throughout the days will never die and will forever remain in the hearts and lives of every Filipino.
   

     

References

Bernardes, B. (2012, December 3). Traditional Filipino Games, Is it still alive?. Retrieved July 3, 2013, from http://www.boffillbernardes.com/2012/12/traditional-filipino-games-is-it-still.html

    

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzQvInX8J74

Media Log by: SHANON CHRISTOPHER A. GAERLAN

ILOCANOS ( Philippine Ethnic Group )

* RACE, ETHNICITY AND GENDER PREFERENCES *

     "WHAT MAKES AN ILOCANO?"

            By: Manang Biday Reminisces

               November 26, 2008

     Any everyday man in the Philippines would associate an Ilocano with a one word description - "matipid", on extremes, kuripot - okay, English sounds better - frugal. We are known to be hard workers and success achievers. We never identify to the words "difficult and failure".

     I have been researching what keeps the Ilocano apart for him to earn this description. The only reason I could think of is the means of livelihood that was adapted by the forerunners in the Ilocos region. Most if not all of the Ilocos region descendants were tobacco growers (kitaen yo kadi itti litrato ni Manang Biday nakaam-mel itti tabako). Tobacco was the main agricultural product for this was a good match to the type of soil Ilocos has. This region is surrounded by the Cordilleras and most of its land is rocky and arid.

     Another reason why tobacco was a prevalent crop then was the tobacco monopoly during the Spanish times. If we all recall our History classes then, tobacco growing was encouraged if not forced upon by the Spaniards to the Filipinos to sustain the revenue this crop generates. In so doing, the Philippine colony then was not totally dependent on Spain for financial sustenance. Early on. the Spaniards recognized that the revenue generated from tobacco will be more than enough for the Philippine Colony to use.( colony - such an awful word then and now).

     The Ilocano then, has been used to tilling the soil under the sweltering sun. That could be the reasons for our skin attributes. But why the adjectives kuripot, matipid or frugal though? I still can not put my finger to the reason why. Maybe some of you do know. 

               

SUMMARY:

   The article made by the "Manang Biday Reminisces" entitled, " What Makes an Ilocano? " is clearly about the revealing of the true personality and identity of an Ilocano to the Philippine nation. As seen in the first picture, tracing the way to Ilocano greatness, shows the legacy brought by famous Ilocanos like Garbiela and Diego Silang and Ferdinand Marcos revealing the personalities of an Ilocano which are being strong, wise and hardworkers like them. Their is no truth that they are "kuripot" or thrifty, for we just mistaken them for their identity in our ethnicity. In reality, they are just wise, practical and economically savers for the reason that it is in their blood and culture. As seen in the other photo, a picture of Marcos, he was known for his intelligence and hardwork in lifting the state of our nation economically and conditionally, for we are on of the top during his time. All in all, the media shows that Ilocanos should be proud of themselves and we should never underestimate them for their handwork and being wise in their everyday lives.

   
      

REFLECTION:

   The message was created by the Manang Biday Reminisces. To attract my attention, the creative technique that was used was through the use of media and the blog site regarding the personalities of the ethnic group. Personally, as an Ilocano also and having a childhood growing in the Ilocos, about the blog I felt more confident and proud of my ethnicity becuase the author defended and revealed well the true personality that Ilocanos are not thrifty at all, and they had a mindset to pursue the readers to reflect on what they think and response about the issue. Other people might understand the message as an opinion or commentary about the making of an Ilocano, but I see it as a reality and revelation of a true personality of an Ilocano through citing their way of living. The main reason why this media is sent to the public is to let them know about the wrong perspective and point of view of an Ilocano as "kuripot" or other personalities of different Philippine ethnic groups and a lesson that even though we have many groups and tribes on our country, we are all the same and still stand and live to a Filipino tradition and character, which is in our blood and hearts ever since.

Reference

Biday, M. (2008, November 26). What Makes An Ilocano?. Retrieved July 3, 2013, from http://manangbidayreminisces.blogspot.com/2008/11/what-makes-ilocano.html

    

Media Log by: SHANON CHRISTOPHER A. GAERLAN

SAINT JOHN BOSCO ( Father & Teacher of Youth )

* FAITH AND RELIGION *

"SAINT JOHN BOSCO AND THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF TURIN"

               By: Bob and Penny Lord

               January 17, 2011

 

   At the time of Saint John Bosco’s ordination, Italy was very anti-clerical. A lot of this stemmed from the clerics’ Jansenist behavior, which caused them to remove themselves physically and emotionally from their flock. Don Cafasso fought to end the grip Jansenism held on northern Italy. One way was to have the students in the Theological Institute walk among the people, in an effort to become more aware and involved in what was going on. For Don Bosco, this was a revelation. He knew, his apostolate was children, but he really had no conception of their plight, until he began to walk the streets of Turin.

   The charming city with the beautiful boulevards had become a hell-hole, a giant ghetto for the working class. Two and three families lived together in a single room, under the most unsanitary conditions. He could walk anywhere in the slum section of the city and see the horrors of the young who were left on their own. One time, during an evening walk, he came upon a field. Hoardes of children were running around, filthy, half-clothed, screaming, cursing and generally acting offensive. For a moment, his mind flashed to the dreams he’d had, first at nine years old and then again in the seminary. It was as if he were standing in the middle of his dream. He tried to reach out to them, but they ignored him. This was not the way the dream ended; they had all turned into little lambs. What was happening here? They were not working with the script. Then he realized that he was not approaching them with a kindness and love they had never known before. He was on the brink of jumping into his life’s work, but he was not ready yet.

      His real beginning came, as it should, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, December 8th. He was waiting to begin Mass, when he noticed a sacristan chasing a dirty young boy in rags out of the church. Don Bosco made him bring the boy back. He tried to put the nervous youth at his ease. He asked him many questions; could he read or write, were his parents alive or dead. The boy stiffly tried to answer. Then Saint John Bosco, with a straight face, asked him could he sing or whistle? The boy let out a big smile. John Bosco had broken the ice.

   He began to teach this boy catechism. At the end of an hour, he asked if he would like to return the next week? The boy answered yes. John Bosco told him not to come alone; bring a friend. That was how it started. The next week, he had nine, and then twelve. Pretty soon, he was the pied piper of Turin. He had over a hundred children coming to him every week. Where was he going to put them? This became his battle cry for the rest of his life. He had too little room, and too little help. This is also the cry of our ministry. We have so much work to do and so few to do it. And we are quickly running out of room. We always wondered what it was that drew us to John Bosco so strongly. We have so much in common.

      Saint John Bosco brought these young people together each Sunday, for Mass and Catechism. But in addition, there was much fun, playing, picnics, a version of the acrobatics and juggling that the younger John Bosco had become famous for. It was relationship. It was someone caring about these young people, in a world where they were barely tolerated. They had street smarts. They could tell very quickly who was sincere, as opposed to who wanted to exploit them. And they reacted accordingly. They could see love in this young priest. He genuinely wanted to make their lives better. It was their souls he was after, but he was not beyond helping with their physical necessities in any way he could. He called the meetings Oratories6. To John Bosco’s way of thinking, an Oratory was an actual building or complex, with a playing field, classrooms and a chapel. But for many years, the Oratory only existed in his mind. However, Don Bosco was a man of vision, and great faith. He knew what he was being called to do, and the Lord would provide the means to do it. It was just that simple!

SUMMARY:

   The article made by Bob and Penn Lord entitled, "Saint John Bosco and the Young people of Turin", clearly embodies the revelation of Don Bosco through his mission to guide the young people of Turin in Italy about awareness and moral values to a good way of life for the boys. The picture shows the portrait of Saint John Bosco, and another picture shows the boys and their love for him for Don Bosco cared for them ever since, he pushed them into goodness through his goal of teaching the young about catechism and theology, and leaving the bad influences, vices and street life behind and make a big change for the children physically, mentally and spiritually, to be more close to God. Don Bosco grew in Turin himself, and he has done no priest nor political leader has done, which is saving the souls of the young by bringing them together through his oratory where there was more fun through games and activities, more learning through workshops and classrooms and more peace and order though chapels and churches of guiding the young to a Holy life. As seen in the motivational picture, Don Bosco revealed the secret of being a saint to his boys, by confessions and confidence which were the keys to heaven's gate. Lastly in the video, Don Bosco showed his mission to love by letting the boys come with him and away from their labor for they love him so much and Don Bosco cared for the boys with a promise that God will be guiding them through his goal of teaching, serving and leading the young to a better and spiritual life.
      

REFLECTION: 

   The message was created by Bob and Penny Lord. The creative technique used to attract my attention was through citing the history of the saint and listing his contributions to the young. About the media, personally, I felt so happy that I reflected back on the life and works of Saint John Bosco, that is why I chose him to be my topic for this media and for a reason that I was loyal to him for I studied in Don Bosco Makati since my preparatory days and growing as a Bosconian with values of a true servant, it feels so heart-warming and more inspiring and proud to bring back and share his life through this media. Different people may not know him personally because they did not grew under his guidance and knowledge, but Don Bosco really showed the young how important they are to the nation. He really is the saint for the young for he is globally known as the father and teacher of youth. The point of view by the media is to reveal a life of a saint and his holy deeds and works especially to the young while he was still living and how the world respond to his actions of goodness by blessing him as saint after his death. The value learned from the media is believing in one's dream and never stop achieving for Don Bosco himself, dreamed of all these at his childhood and he had finally done it, building an oratory, serving the young and living a holy life with guidance from Mary and Jesus. All in all, the message of the media to the public especially the young ones, to stay faithful and live a young life free, without vices and bad influence, and remain under the guidance of our God for the young ones will be the hope for the progress of the nation in the future. 

     

References

Lord, B., & Lord, P. (2011, January 17). Saint John Bosco and the Young People of Turin | Bob and Penny Lord's Blog. Retrieved July 2, 2013, from http://bobandpennylord.wordpress.com/2011/01/17/saint-john-bosco-and-the-young-people-of-turin/

                    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsvRA2gqM_U

    

Media Log by: SHANON CHRISTOPHER A. GAERLAN