TRADITIONAL GAMES AND SPORTS BOOSTED BY CENTENNIAL TOURNAMENT
Manila, June 1, 1998 - President Ramos urged President-elect Estrada to continue the "Sports For All" program of his administration, to enable the "masa" to participate in various sports activities usually enjoyed by the upper and middle classes.
The President made the call at the Rizal Park where he launched the Centennial "Palaro ng Lahi," an event promoting indigenous sports as part of the 100th year celebration of Philippine Independence.
"I certainly hope that the next leadership would find it appropriate to continue this program to assure our country of a much healthier and active citizenry," the President said.
The Chief Executive lauded the organizers and participants, because the "Palaro ng Lahi" highlights traditional games of Filipinos from the pre-colonial era and during the Spanish regime.
He recalled that Lapu-Lapu and his men overcame Magellan and the Spanish troops through "arnis," the indigenous martial arts, which became a valuable part of the nation's struggle for liberty.
The President also noted that even the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has encouraged member-countries to preserve and promote traditional games and sports.
In response to the UNESCO call, the President said a book on ASEAN traditional games and sports was by published by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The President expressed hope that the "Palaro ng Lahi" will be held regularly to preserve indigenous games. He suggested that traditional games be made part of the school curriculum.
"They should be developed and standardized to a level where the could become regular events in the Palarong Pambansa and in the Philippine National Games," the Chief Executive stressed, adding that the Olympics started as simple traditional games.
To signal the opening of the "Palaro ng Lahi," the President participated in "bunong-braso" (arm wrestling) with Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Eli Bontigao as his opponent. The President, of course, won the bout.
Aside from arm wrestling, other indigenous games included in the sports event are: archery, stilts racing, , sipa, pole climbing (palo sebo), sungka, dama, paraw racing, arnis, patintero, culliot, piko and sangkayaw.
Participants included the Boystown, overseas Filipino workers, Binibining Pilipinas winners, National Youth Commission, St. Mary's Girlstown, Smokey Mountain Foundation, Nayong Kabataan, the Kapisanan ng mga Artista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, and several local government units.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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