Let the games begin!

MANILA, Philippines – The streets in many cities and towns around the country are busier than ever, but not because of motor vehicles. Even as school reopens, many barangays around the country are witnessing the revival of street games that pre-Gen X adults grew up with: patintero, tumbang preso and piko.

The Larolympics fever is sweeping some of the country’s most child-friendly towns and cities. This was triggered by Anak TV, a foundation run by all television networks operating in the country, when it began to push for the staging of the games in an effort to get Filipino children outdoors and engaged in physical activity. City and town mayors responded to the call.

Today, the street intramurals are being staged in the cities of Olongapo, Tagaytay, Baguio, Marikina, Makati, Kalibo, Iloilo, Bacolod, Tagum, General Santos, Davao and Butuan, as well as in the towns of San Mateo, Isabela and New Lucena, Iloilo. They are the first towns and cities to push for more outdoor activities for their children as a healthier alternative to sedentary activities like TV viewing and playing with the computer.

The Filipino child records an alarming high rate of television viewing. It has been reported that by the time the Filipino child is 18, he would have spent 30,000 hours watching TV and only 17,000 hours attending school. This lifestyle has in turn led to an increase in childhood obesity and diabetes.

Based on the Larolympics schedule, the cities’ and towns’ best players of the street games will compete in amity intramurals to be held in July, in time for the national celebration of Nutrition Month.

The games will feature the Chikiting class for boys and girls aged seven to 10, and the Bagets class for kids aged 11 to 14.

While this is the first time Larolympics is being held, Anak TV trustee Elviar Go is confident that the fever will catch on and more towns and cities will participate next year.

“These games were selected because they do not require uniforms or sophisticated equipment or venues. Moreover, height is not an important factor, unlike Western sports where we try to excel but can not,” says Go.

Recently, Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando hosted the national media launch of Larolympics, and declared that Marikina City will henceforth be child-safe when it comes to media usage. Fernando said she and her fellow officials and parents intend to encourage parents to have their children watch only child-friendly television programs and limit time spent in front of the TV and computer.

“We are behind the proper care and development of children and believe that it is in their best interest to spend time outdoors, stretch their muscles, keep fit and enjoy their childhood through simple native games,” Fernando said, before joining in a game of piko with a square pato.

With Go, Fernando and other city and Anak TV officials, Ricky Davao read the manifesto issued by various city and town mayors pushing the agenda of Larolympics.