Many computer-savvy kids not aware of local history

Many Filipino children are now disconnected from their local history and tradition as they constantly engage in online games and the internet and other modern distractions.

Karl Hegel Damayo, exhibitions and museum collections officer of the Casa Gorordo Museum, expressed concern over the decline of the young Filipinos’ interest in the country’s culture and heritage.

“Culture is our identity. If the children are not aware of our culture and heritage, they will not be proud Cebuanos and Filipinos. Young as they are, they should be taught the Cebuano culture,” Damayo said during the Oct. 13 episode of “Pagtuki”, a radio program of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) aired over dyLA every Saturday at 10-11 a.m.

“If you ask them about old streets in Cebu, some can’t answer you. Local games such as piko, sungka and tubig tubig is slowly forgotten because they don’t play them anymore. They are now used to staying indoors and interacting with their computers,” he added.

He stressed that the lack of effort and time of adults to educate children might also be one of the factors in the children’s low awareness of Filipino culture and heritage.

Along with partner agencies from the Cebu City government, RAFI holds the fourth run of Kids at the Museum every Saturday of October this year.

Kids at the Museum helps the children learn Cebuano culture and heritage through visits to museums, such as the Casa Gorordo Museum, Fort San Pedro, University of Southern Philippines Foundation-Rizaliana Museum, Cathedral Museum of Cebu, Cebu Normal University (CNU) Museum and the Jose R. Gullas Halad Museum.

Activities will include traditional Filipino games and workshops on coconut leaves weaving, performing arts, cooking, comic drawing and painting.

“Playing does not only promote physical wellness in children, but also develops their social skills. Through engaging children in traditional games and activities, their creativity will be showcased and their minds exposed to Cebuano culture,” he said.

The culminating program will be held on Oct. 27 at CNU Museum. The annual event is also in line with the observance of Children’s Month and Museum Month in October.

For more information on Kids at the Museum, contact Karl Hegel Damayo at 418-7234 local 703.