HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A celebration of Filipino culture through a family-friendly tournament of traditional games begins today at the Filipino Community Center.
The inaugural “Palarong Pinoy,” or “Filipino Games,” is a competition featuring games played in the Philippines for generations, including:
- Tumbang Preso (knock-down-the-can game)
- Patintero (traditional tag game)
- Sipa (traditional foot game)
- Sungka (traditional board game using shells)
- Dama (Filipino checkers)
Andrea Caymo-Kauhanen, executive director of The Filipino Community Center and volunteer Ferdinand Isleta joined HNN’s Sunrise to talk about the event aimed to share Filipino traditions and history with people from all backgrounds.
“This event is so much more than just games and competition,” Caymo-Kauhanen said. “It’s about cultural preservation and connecting our younger generation with their heritage while bringing families together.”
She said about 16 teams and over 100 participants across all age groups will participate in the free event.
The public is invited to try the games and cheer on teams taking part in the qualifying rounds today from 3-6 p.m. at Filipino Community Center and the finals scheduled for July 26 from 1-4 p.m. at the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu. About $1,000 in cash prizes is up for grabs.
“What makes it special is that it’s free and open to all Hawaii residents,” she said, “You don’t have to be Filipino to participate and learn about our culture.”
While Filipino music, food and dance continues to be celebrated, Caymo-Kauhanen said she noticed that the games were being forgotten and not passed down to children.
She said the hope for the tournament is that it becomes an annual tradition.
“We’re constantly looking for innovative ways to keep Filipino culture alive and relevant for new generations,” she said.
For more information, visit the Filipino Community Center website.
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