Games we Play by Emmanuel A. Parajeto

We all played games. It started in our childhood. We loved playing with other kids even with the ones that we don’t really know well. We enjoyed playing all kinds of games and we look forward to playing outside whenever we’re doing something else. It made life fantastic for us as children. Even though our clothes become dirty and our mothers reprimand us about it, it never stopped us from having fun. It doesn’t matter even when the sun is at its brightest and hottest. We didn’t care. We just couldn’t stop running, jumping, sliding, and hiding. Our skins got darker but we simply want to play some more.

We can’t get enough of Chinese Garter, Luksong Baka, Luksong Tinik, Sipa, Patintero, Dodge Ball, Paliboy, and more. There is no gender discrimination when it comes to playing. We capitalized on our social skills and team work to win each game. We didn’t really notice it at first because we were mostly after having fun but it actually did wonders to our body and our mind. It made our hearts beat faster and it made us sweat. Often, it took our breath away but after trying to steady our heartbeat by inhaling and exhaling oxygen, we’re good to go again and there’s that great feeling that we cannot simply define.

Nowadays, we only see few children in the playground or playing in the streets. Compared to the past years, children nowadays play someplace else. They can actually play games everywhere because they do it with their gadgets. More and more kids spend more time playing with their mobile devices. Some even choose to skip their meals whenever they can get away with it. Others cut classes just to feed their addiction. In the evening, you can easily spot them through the lights from their mobile device’s screen at they play in the dark. There are some children who are so young but are already wearing graded eyeglasses as their eyes’ health slowly deteriorates with lack of rest.

Yes, gadgets are useful. It is true. It can help us be more efficient. We can use it in communicating, browsing social media and web pages, creating PowerPoint presentations, downloading videos, documents, and other media, and playing different games. However, not all of us can set and handle limitations.

All in all, both traditional games and gadgets have their own unique advantages. Yes, we need to cope with the changes that time brings. However, we should not forget the laughter that we shared with our playmates when we played, soiled our shirts, and scraped our knees. Our traditional games are part of our culture. It speaks of how we are sporty, active, and resourceful. Besides, wouldn’t you want the next generation to experience the fun that you had in the streets even when your mother had to shout your full name for all your neighbors to hear while threatening you with a flip-flop, a belt, or a broom. Remember what you did? You probably ran home, laughing all the way!