CCP launches dance short films highlighting Filipino traditional games

As part of its mission to underscore the importance of Filipino dance and arts in the era of technology, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) launched “Tara, Laro Ta(y)o,” a project featuring six (6) dance films based on traditional games.

The six dance short films aim to promote traditional dances and games to young generations, as they were inspired by the traditional games of selected Philippine indigenous communities from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The featured dances are: Mali, a Dumagat traditional dance; Koirdas di la Bordon of Cuyo, Palawan; Sipit-sipit from Eastern Samar; Kikembe from Cuartero, Capiz; Kasipa sa Manggis from Marawi, Lanao del Sur; and Buwa-buwan of Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.

In a one-on-one interview with INQUIRER.net, project director Ronnie Mirabuena weighed in on how the young generation is slowly losing their ability to communicate with their fellow youngsters, given the rise of technology.

“We all know the young ones these days are not exposed to physical games. Even the idea of connecting with their fellow kids medyo limited na (it becomes limited now). Kung iiwanan mo sila sa loob ng bahay (if you leave them inside their house), they will just play with their gadgets. Ayun ang ginagawan sana natin ng paraan (that’s the very thing we want to change), they should go back to interacting with their fellow kids outside their houses and technology,” he said.

Mirabuena also affirmed that part of CCP’s long-term plan is to be able to screen the six short films in different schools as part of their initiative to utilize engagement.

“It is our long-term plan to involve our schools and educational system by aligning the short films and digital learning resources with subject areas focusing not only on dance-related competencies but also those that cover history, language, values education, and even in the domain of science and health,” he said.

The project director also stressed that they are in constant communication with the Department of Education (DepEd) on projects like this.

“We always coordinate not only with DepEd but also with other organizations that are possible collaborators in terms of democratizing access to dance films and digital learning resources. They need to see the potential and benefits of utilizing emerging technologies in learning Phil arts and culture,” said Mirabuena.

In partnership with the Philippine Folk Dance Society and the City Government of San Jose Del Monte, “Tara, Laro Ta(y)o” was launched at the Convention Center, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, on Tuesday, June 26, with live performances from the participants and with CCP President Kaye C. Tinga and CCP Vice President Dennis N. Marasigan, among others, in attendance.