With school classes suspended due to the threat of COVID-19, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) launched special Larong Atin! traditional games stamps to promote Philippine heritage and culture.
The four Larong Atin! stamps feature the bato-bato-pik / jack-en-poy (rock-paper-scissors), bahay-bahayan (playing house), luksong tinik (thorn hurdles), and trumpo (spinning top). The souvenir sheet for Larong Atin! shows jolen (marbles), piko (hopscotch), tumbang preso (knock down the prisoner), and saranggola (kite).
These Philippine traditional games sharpen problem-solving skills, promote teamwork and healthy competition, and encourage activities for youth from all walks of life. Each game has a story to tell about our values and traditions. More importantly, “these traditional Filipino indoor and outdoor activities promote physical well-being and strengthen family ties in preparation for the new normal”, PHLPost adds.
Parents and kids can stay active at home playing their all-time pinoy favorites like bahay-bahayan and bato-bato-pik while ensuring a safer environment during this pandemic. “We also share the advocacy of preserving Filipino heritage in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Filipino Heritage Festival, Inc. (FHFI),”says Postmaster General Joel Otarra.
PHLPost has printed a total of 100,000 copies of the four designs to be sold for Php12, Php14, Php15, and Php17 each. 5,000 special pieces of the limited collector souvenir sheet stamps were also printed to be sold for Php100 each. The stamps were designed by in-house graphic artists Rodine C. Teodoro and Eunice Beatrix U. Dabu in coordination with Judith Neric of Filipino Heritage Festival, Inc. (FHFI).
Stamps, souvenir sheets, and official first day covers of Larong Atin! Philippine Traditional Games are now available at the Philatelic Counter, Manila Central Post Office, all Mega Manila Post Offices, Postal Area 2, San Fernando, La Union, Postal Area 4, San Pablo, Postal Area 5, Mandaue, Postal Area 6, Iloilo, Postal Area 7, Davao, and Postal Area 8, Cagayan de Oro.
If you’re a stamp collector, you can also buy the stamps online at phlpost.gov.ph or by phone through 85270132 / 85270108. Specially designated postmen or “wheel riders” will deliver these stamps and collect payments via cash on delivery.
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