The Philippine Sports Commission’s diverse grassroots sports program continued amid the pandemic with the three-day pre-recording of the Indigenous Peoples’ Games in the province of Sarangani.
Philippine Sports Commission commissioner and project head Charles Raymond A. Maxey led a small group in conducting the program under close coordination with Provincial Tribal Chieftain Fulung Edmund D. Pangilan and Municipal IP Mandatory Representative Makabatog Monard C. Galgo at the Lamlifew Village Museum and Blaan School of Living Traditions in Malungon, Sarangani.
In accordance with the Inter-Agency Task Force’s health and safety protocols, all participants, PSC staff, local officials and tribe members tested negative for COVID-19 before the said activity. Face masks were worn and physical distancing was observed in between video and photo shoots.
The event is part of the celebration of the Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines, with support from the National Commission on Indigenous People and Pocari Sweat.
“‘Yung awareness ng ating mga kababayan sa mga tradisyunal na laro at patuloy na pamumuhay ng mga katutubo ay isang malaking tagumpay para sa Philippine Sports Commission. ‘Yung diversity and equality ng mga programa ng PSC ay sinisiguro naming mabibigyan nang sapat na panahon at pagkakataon,”said Maxey.
Traditional games by the Blaan Indigenous Peoples like the Sfaltu (long jump) Skuya Kura (horseracing) and Sumpit and Pana were in full display during the activity, with the Blaan elders performing Kmisong (Fire Making) using coconut husk or dried wood coir and split bamboo.
The PSC core group was warmly welcomed by the Blaan Indigenous Cultural community through their indigenous welcome dance called Aral Kafi (Blaan Eagle Dance) at the Kalonbarak Skyline Ridge in Malungon.
Highlighting the event was the turnover of sports equipment such as basketballs, volleyballs and soccer balls to Malungon Mayor Ma. Theresa Constantino to further boost the grassroots sports program in the province.
“Hopefully, these equipment can encourage the youth to engage in sports. It’s our gratitude to them for supporting our programs,” Maxey said.
The PSC also distributed 400 sets of Indigenous Peoples provisions such as bags made of abaca fiber, bamboo notebooks, ballpens, personalized PSC notepads and face towels.