Philippines
Fun and games at DUWA Children's Festival set August 13 to 14 in Mandaue City
Fun and games at DUWA Children's Festival set August 13 to 14 in Mandaue City
The Oakridge Business Park will host the two-day event.
“Duwa Cebu Children's Festival recognizes that it is through play that children first grasp the world around them. By providing weird, wild, and wonderful experiences, the festival hopes to enrich the local landscape with things kids can do,” said Allen Tan, one of the organizers.
Tan pointed out that with the advent of the internet, many children no longer get a chance to play outside their homes and partake in Filipino games.
“This time, they can try ‘tubig-tubig,’ ‘buwan-buwan,’ jackstone, ‘takyan,’ ‘bato-lata,’ and many more for free every 2 to p.m. on all festival days,’’ Tan added.
Co-organizer Mark Deutsch said that festival will allow children to further enjoy outdoor activities after the Covid-19 pandemic forced them to stay at home for more than two years.
“Over the pandemic, children have been cooped up, and it has been limiting their social skills. So we wanted to do something that fosters interaction and enhances their sense of wonder and play,” said Deutsch.
Organizers said the festival will also help children broaden their artistic perspectives by watching free performances of the Cebu Centre for Dance Ballet and Sistemang Pilipino and by attending the musical storytelling by Little Boy Productions.
The more reserved ones may stay at the drawing tables, play “sungka,” do some origami, or simply read their favorite story books.
The event will serve as one of the highlights of the Mandaue Business Month.
“Creativity is important, as adults, we see AI replace people in the workplace. However, there’s one thing AI can’t replicate and that’s creativity. So it's important to immerse children in creative activities and instill the importance of this value,” said Mark Anthony Ynoc, Mandaue Business Month chairperson.
The festival has lined up numerous workshops for only P650 per child, per workshop, including a snack pack.
Workshops include Ballet Workshop with Cebu Center for Dance, Hip Hop Dance with Mr. Quelo, Theatre Workshop with Penelop Ong, Young Inventors Workshop with the University of the Philippines Fabrication Lab, Express Yourself through Watercolor with Marianne Guinto, and Draw Your Heart Out with Little Boy Productions.