‘Laro ng lahi’: It’s importance in the inclusion to DepEd programs

EDUCATIONAL institutions is conducting various activities, some of which are the sports meet and the teachers’ day celebration, but what made these programs even more special is the inclusion of ‘laro ng lahi’ in the activity.

This is in connection with the aim of the K to 12 Basic Education Program and the National Indigenous People’s Education (IPEd) Policy Framework (DepEd Order No. 62, s. 2011), which stipulates that within the framework of maintaining inclusive and effective learning environments, the DepEd shall nurture among all learners and DepEd teaching and non-teaching personnel, respect for human rights and culture diversity and that DepEd shall promote greater awareness and appreciation of the Indigenous Peoples’ cultural heritage and history- an integral, yet often neglected, part of the Philippine nation’s cultural heritage and history (Section 15-g).

The indigenous games included in the said events are salikawkaw, bunongbraso, kadang-kadang, and leg wresting. With this inclusion, it is viewed that it will greatly help in the restoration and revival of our own culture especially with the great change that has been happening for the past few years which is still continuously changing.

‘Laro ng lahi’ has become an alien to the generation of today to which is stated to as the millennials. Games of today are commonly referred to and related to gadgets and applications where children spent most of their time.

Seated on a corner and busy pressing and touching keys on a small box, generation of today are exposed to radiation which makes them prone to illnesses and even health complications such as eye problems.

Some reports have also pointed to excessive use of gadgets as the result of physical strains due to excessive swiping leading to inflamed tendons, joints, and fingers. In addition, this can also lead to poor posture like forward head, hunched back, or rounded shoulders.

Instead of facing gadgets, we must encourage our millennials to engage themselves into active play. Through active play, children gain knowledge and wisdom about their environment as they deal with other people. On the other hand, due to game applications, children choose to stay in their rooms facing the television, computer, tablet, and cellphones. They have forgotten about outdoor games depriving and lessening their chances of developing in a holistic way.

In this regard, the inclusion of ‘laro ng lahi’ as part of the IPEd is hoped to bring about positive results to our Filipino children.

Involving children in these games will help instill in them the joy of involving themselves in active play to contribute in their holistic development. It is through play that children develop holistically.

They develop their physical abilities as they walk, run, and jump improving their bone and muscle structures which aid in the enhancement of their immune system. Moreover, as children play, they also improve their social skills as they learn how to deal with conflicts. They gain knowledge and wisdom as they are exposed to their environment, learning while exploring.

In addition, exposing our children to indigenous games will help in the preservation of our culture which is silently dying. Furthermore, this will also aid every generation to appreciate what has been there long before.

It will always give us a good feeling whenever we look back at what we have been enjoying in our earlier days. Our memories of the past will always be a treasure worth keeping. What we have enjoyed in the past is worth remembering and is worth to be passed on.

Let us not allow our culture to die, despite, let us preserve it handinhand. Preserving the past is our responsibility to our elders and a precious legacy to the next generation.