Philippine Sports: What Has Become Of It?

Over the past years, the world of sports has been thriving. In any sport, someone is good at it. Modern or old, as long as it can be played, someone will play it. But this is not true in the world of Philippine Sport. So many have asked, "What has become of our country's sport?"

Many Filipinos have already forgotten the art and fun of playing the traditional sport that our ancestors have created. And sadly enough, we get hook with modern, foreign sports. None of us realize that the traditional sport created for us by our ancestors are more fun than the modern ones that we have.

Take the sport "arnis" as an example. Arnis, as effective as it is as a self-defense art, it is also fun to do as a sport. It promotes proper exercise and fit body for the person doing it. It also gives the players/participants to have a bond that is beyond what anyone can imagine.

Another traditional sport that the Philippines has is "sungka". Sungka, while it is simple to look at, is actually a little more complex. The sport lets the players exercise their brain to think of tactics to outwit the opponent and win the match. Much like chess, it too makes the players smarter, even just for a little, after playing.

Not many realize that the sports/games created by our ancestors were meant to give us better mind, body and spirit. In many ways the Philippines has gained many recognition when it comes to sports. But I think, more importantly, we should be able to see and realize that we should CHERISH and RESPECT our traditional sports.

Linggo ng Wika: Pagbabalik Tanaw sa Nakaraan

Sa ating modernong panahon, marami sa atin ang unti-unti ng nakalimot sa ating pinanggalingan. Marami sa atin ang hindi na alma kung ano ang ating pinanggalingana at kung ano ang ating mga tradisyon.Karamihan sa ating mga kabataan ngayon ay hindi na pamilyar sa mga tradisyon ng ating bayan.

Marami sa ating mga kabataan ay hindi masyadong bihasa sa ating sariling lengguwahe. Nakalulungkot man isipin ngunit, ang pangyayaring ito ay dulot ng ating sobrang pag asa sa mga dayuhang bansa.

Ilang dekada na ang nakalipas ng ang mga kabataan ay naglalaro sa labas ng kanilang mga tahanan. Mga larong kagaya ng , "Patintero", "Sipa", "Tumbang Preso", at maraming iba pa. Nakalulungkot isipin na ang mga kabataan ngayon ay mas gusto pa na manatili na lamang sa kanilang mga tahanan para manuod ng telebisyon at maglaro sa kanilang mga "computer". Bilang mga nakatatanda at nakaranas ng mga larong Pilipino, isa sa ating responsibilidad ay siguruhin na ang kabataan ngayon ay marunong din ng mga laro noon.

Sa aking palagay, isa sa mga paraan upang muling umunlad ang ating bansa ay ang pagpapalaganap muli ng mga larong Pilipino upang hindi ito malimutan ng tuluyan at hinid tayo malunod sa mga impluwensya ng mga dayuhang bayan. At ang muling pagpapanum balik ng pag gamit ng ating sariling lengguwahe sa araw araw nating pamumuhay.

Buwan ng Wika 2012

Every year, our country celebrates the "Buwan ng Wika". A celebration that lasts for the whole month of August, the Filipinos commemorate the different Filipino traditions and customs they grew up with.

Every year, the Department of Education(DepEd) assigns a theme that will be followed by all the schools nationwide. This year, the theme is, "Tatag ng Wikang Filipino, Lakas ng Pagka-Filipino".

For this year's theme, the Department of Education wants to focus on the beauty of the Filipino language, how it has endured the many and long years of oppression and how it strengthened the Filipino people.

From the ancient "alibata" which our ancestors used, to the modern Filipino language and alphabet, the Filipino people, along with their language, has evolved and endured many trials. Starting with the Spaniards' invasion of the country. With our language, the leaders of the different groups led the people to victory and freedom. This has been proven. not just by the Spaniards, but also the other countries that tried to oppress us. Through out history, many Filipinos, using our language, has conquered the trials they faced and upheld the Filipino pride around the world. Even with the existence of different dialects all across the nation, the Filipino people has shown that they can still move and act as one.

Not just in revolutions, the Filipino people has also proved that our language can conquer the world's interest. countless Filipino literature and writers have been commended by the world because of their brilliance in the use of their language. From then till now,  Filipino films and shows have been adapted by other countries because of its brilliance.

The Filipino language, no matter how long it has been and will be,  will stay strong and prove to the world that language, above all else, is the most important weapon a country can have.