Children compete in traditional games

CEBU, Philippines - Children of informal settlers in Mandaue City gathered yesterday at a vacant lot across Parkmall at the Reclamation Area to participate in traditional Visayan games.

Emmanuel Arong, the chief of the Housing Urban Development Office, said some 500 children of 16 informal settlers organizations in the city took part in the games.

He said children competed in siatong, tubig-tubig, Bato-bakya, jolen, bikaka, and other known Visayan games.

The affair was dubbed as "Way Tech Games," designed to instill pride and patriotism among children so as to make them realize that these games are heritage games played by their parents and ancestors before the advent of computers.

Children received prizes in cash and in kind. - THE FREEMAN