City wants playground for traditional games

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government will revive at the Fort San Pedro grounds the traditional Filipino children’s games like Takyan, Tubig-tubig, Dama, Sungka and other games to promote the values and heritage among children.

The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. will donate to the Cebu City government through the Parks and Playground Commission the needed facilities that are necessary to promote these traditional Filipino games.

The Cebu City Council had approved the resolution of Councilor Nida Cabrera to designate a portion of the public plaza where the traditional games are to be conducted.

Cabrera said the portion of the public plaza will provide a venue for increased socialization among children and to promote the values of heritage and tradition as she thanked the RAFI for its help.

“We are grateful that for the last five years, the Cebu City Parks and Playgrounds Commission, Fort San Pedro and RAFI have been partners in promoting local games especially every October when we celebrate the Children’s month,” said Librado Macaraya, chairwoman of the Parks and Playground Commission.

Mayor Michael Rama thanked the RAFI officials because they will build concrete tables with built-in facilities for Sungkaan and Dama. There will also be a designated area for tubig-tubig and takyan and other traditional Filipino games.

The traditional game called Siatong was not included in the list because it could be dangerous as it involves a projectile that could hit anybody. —/BRP (FREEMAN)