Tara na't maglaro! (let's go and play!)

For this activity, we thought about sharing with our kids the games that we played in our day. Indeed, the kids of today have so much more that compete for their attention, mostly of the electronic kind. And it's not so different in the Philippines as it is here. It is just sad to think that today's generation might be missing out on the great games that occupied us on many weekends and summer breaks. It was loads of fun, it encouraged interaction, enabled us to soak in the sunshine, and was convenient form of exercise!

The weather did not cooperate unfortunately, so we held the activity in an indoor venue. We started it off with the popular Tumbang Preso, a game which required a medium-sixed can, a pair of slippers per kid, and any number of players. Here is a short video explaining how the game is played:

The rules were quite easy to follow and soon the kids got the gist of it.

Jose Rizal 150 - Words of Wisdom

The Binhi English Literacy Foundation, Inc. and the Juan D. Nepomuceno Center for Kapampangan Studies, Holy Angel University started a 150-day countdown towards Rizal's 150th birth anniversary on January 20, 2011. It was named "Rizal 150 to 150" which aims to bring Rizal closer to the Filipino youth using the most accessible medium today, the Facebook.

113th celebration of Philippine Independence and 150th Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal

Dear friends,

Every year, the Filipinos commemorate its gaining of independence from its colonizers on 12 June 1898.  This year, it will be special because aside from the celebration of the 113th Year Anniversary of our Philippine Independence, we will also celebrate 150th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal, our National Hero.

The programme will start at 11:00am with a Catholic Mass, then a “salo-salo” where you could sample the delicious Philippine foods/regional delicacies. Cultural show starts at 1.30 until 3.30, an exciting 2 hrs of excellent performances, including a theatre performance on the history of Philippine Independence (supported by Creative Communities NZ), and a show highlighting Dr. Jose Rizal’s life and achievements. Entertainment from our Filipino bands and disco will follow suit, from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.

What: 113th celebration of Philippine Independence and 150th Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal
When: 12 June 2011, 11:00-5:30pm
Where: Indian Community Centre, 46 Kemp St., Kilbirnie, Wellington

2011 Philippine Independence Day Celebration in Wellington

The Philippine Embassy invites all Filipinos and friends in New Zealand in celebrating the 113th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and the 150th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal on Sunday, 12 June 2011 (10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.) at the Wellington Indian Cultural Center, 48 Kemp St. Kilbirnie, Wellington.