Sheena JavierCablelink held a kite-flying activity called Kites Up at the Filinvest City
Many fun, outdoor activities from our childhood have already seemed completely obsolete. I could vividly recall how my friends and I would go out and play tumbang preso, Chinese garter, and ten-twenty after school or over the weekends. What was the most fascinating part about our generation was how we quickly find ourselves become the best of friends with other kids we’ve only met for the first time. I guess, outdoor activities like these naturally bring people together. It’s good to be reminded of the simpler times once in a while.
Cablelink held a kite-flying activity called Kites Up at the Filinvest City event grounds last Sunday, May 26th. This free-for-all event featured kite master artists: Philip and Virgie Cristobal, Erwin Mag-Iba, and Bernard Sanchez. They were all willing to lend their expertise in perfecting the art of kite flying. Not going to lie, it’s been quite a while since I’ve heard of it so it was really interesting to be able to see it for myself.
The golden age of kiting actually began in China between the 1860s to the 1910s. Here in the Philippines, it’s considered a dying tradition because the digital age has really changed the way kids of today spend their afternoons and their free periods. Fortunately, there are still Filipinos who try to keep it alive. Philip and Virgie Cristobal started their kite flying business back in 1997, which opened doors for other kite masters like Bernard Sanchez. Sanchez recalled that he started flying a kite when he was just 10 years old. He loved doing it so much that it ended up being a full-time career. His story was not that different from Erwin Mag-Iba. Flying a kite was sort of their past time as kids—back when social media was not yet realized.
A number of participants took the time away from the hustle and bustle of the city and spent time in the South to fly kites that came in different shapes and sizes. Sets of families and friends didn’t mind being under the scorching heat of the sun and showed up to enjoy a wholesome afternoon activity that doesn’t happen a lot these days. The Evangelista family came all the way from Makati to be a part of this activity. “We grew up flying kites but [the kids], as you know, gadgets are readily available and it’s very difficult to teach them this kind of activity nowadays,” said Mr. Evangelista. He added that it’s all about the experience and the bonding with the whole family. Mr. James Kekenusa of Kite Association of the Philippines said that they “go around the Philippines to help and provide [as well as] promote the kite culture”.
Each region here in the country is known for specific types of kites. But the most common is called the Filipino guryon, which is a swallow-type kite. Mr. Kekenusa hopes that more there will be more saranggolistas in the future because not only is it fun but it’s a healthy activity too.
