PTA promotes indigenous games without let up

The Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) is going places to promote Philippine indigenous games. Tourism Undersecretary Jose Dion Diaz undertakes the labor of re-introducing “sungka,” “yo-yo,” “arnis” and other traditional games to the public. His team comes complete with amusing demonstrations to emphasize his point that Filipinos should go back to playing their own sports.

The PTA’s perseverance has started to bear fruit. Banco De Oro recently held an Indigenous Games Olympics for their employees at RFM gym in Mandaluyong.

The players tried their long-hibernating skills in “patintero,” “luksong-tinik” and “tumbang preso.”

The female players showed off their talents in “jackstone,” “touching ball,” “luksong-lubid” and “sipa.” Unfortunately, “holen” and “trumpo” events were cancelled because of the possible damage that it may inflict on RFM’s wooden basketball court. Yo-yo was likewise cancelled due to lack of players. Although “dama” and “sungka” were not given their due attention, the crowd was asking for an encore of patintero. As an added novelty, game losers were made to do the “suot-lungga.”

Judy Tan, senior vice president of Banco De Oro, expressed her delight on the overflowing enthusiasm of the participants. Tan vowed to make a repeat of the olympics next year with more indigenous game events, more participants and a bigger audience. It can be said that Banco De Oro’s Indigenous Games Olympics is a first in this hi-tech era.