Have you participated in “Balagtasan” lately?
Or you’ve joined a “Sungka” or “Yo Yo” Tournament? Or are you the best “sungka’ or “yo yo” player?
The Manitoba Council of Canadian Filipino Associations Inc. (MaCCFA) will present, for the first time in Winnipeg, the Balagtasan and the Filipino Traditional Games Tournament, as part of the month-long celebration of the 116th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence on June 29, Sunday at 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m at the Filipino Senior Hall at 49 Euclid.
The subject of the “Balagtasan”, a poetic debate, will be “Saan Magandang Mamuhay; Sa Canada o sa United States?” (” Where is Better to Live? Canada or United States?” Letty Antonio will be for Canada side while Clarita Nazario the United States Side and Rod E. Cantiveros, the Lakandiwa.
“Balagtasan” started in April 6, 1925 to celebrate the birth anniversary of Francisco Balagtas, the father of the Filipino language, Prominent writers and well-known poets including Rafael Olay, Tomas de Jesus, Amado V. Hernandez, Guillermo Holandez, Corazon de Jesus (Huseng Batute) and Florentino Collantes (Kuntil Butil). The first “Balagtasan” was very successful and this started to spread the poetic debate all over the country. The celebration of the birth of Balagtas is not complete without “Balagtasan”.
There are more than 40 traditional Filipino games and most of these games are now at the back of the burner specially today when internet has been the preoccupation of the young generations. But in far flung places in the Philippines, some the games are being played; and today, MaCCFA will revive two of these traditional Filipino games, namely, Sungka and Yo Yo with tournaments on June 29, Sunday, at 2:30 p.m. at the Filipino Senior Group Hall at 49 Euclid.
Prizes will be awarded to the winners. And for those who would like to join the “Balagtasan” and the “Sungka and “Yo- Yo Tournament” please phone Rod E. Cantiveros 204.489-8894; Letty Antonio- 204. 783-8820 Julie Javier: 204. 430-6113; Rowena Oquendo- 204. 995-7730; Clarita Nazario- 204.694-6270 and Norman Padilla- 204.230-7186
