RELIVING THE PAST. Kites painted the sky in La Paz, Leyte during a competition on April 9, 2024. Participants joined the competition because it reminded them of their childhood days. (PNA photos by Daniel Panis, OJT)
LA PAZ, Leyte – In this sleepy town, residents, young and old, take advantage of the sunny days by painting the sky with different colors through kite flying, reliving nostalgic moments and bringing back childhood memories.
Rosalina Lanante, a 54-year-old mother from Tarugan village, said she joined the competition because it reminded her of her childhood days, when kite flying was their past time.
She is the winner of the flat kite category with her flowy blue kite, painted with a smiling face. It was made of cellophane and bamboo sticks, with a fishing line as the string.
“My husband, children, and I worked for days to make this kite for the contest. It’s like a family activity for us,” Lanante, who received PHP10,000 in cash for her creativity and ability to fly the kite, said.
Another winner is Jessa Mae Soyosa, 18, also from Tarugan village. She won the 3D category for their Rubik's cube-inspired kite made up of charoll plastic, bamboo sticks, cellophane, and nylon. She got a cash prize of PHP5,000.
“Children nowadays are always busy with mobile phones. It’s a good idea to introduce our kids to traditional games and let them play under the open sky. It’s fun,” Soyosa told the Philippine News Agency.
One of the young participants is Daniel Cruz, 11, of the town’s district 1. He showcased a creative and eye-catching kite inspired by an eagle.
With the help of his father, Daniel created a sturdy and durable kite that truly soared.
Daniel's passion for kite-flying brought him a sense of joy and renewal as he enjoyed the thrill of flying a kite, which, for him, was more than just a hobby.
“This game made me feel closer to our community and the environment,” he added.
The kite lovers are among the 36 residents who joined the Manog-banog (kite) Festival, the brainchild of Marlou Marticio, a member of La Paz municipal council.
Organizers held the event on April 9 as part of the ongoing bypass road project in Canbañez village. The area has a clear and open space with enough room to fly kites.
Marticio's passion for bringing back cherished childhood memories led to the creation of the Manog-banog Festival in La Paz in 2022, an event that has now become part of the town’s annual fiesta celebration.
The official recalled memories of rushing home from school to fly his kite with friends. Despite being held late, they revelled in the joys of the simple game.
“We recognize that digital media replaced kites as a pastime. Through the revival of the kite flying event, we want to rekindle the innocence of childhood and foster connections with others through this competition,” he said.
According to an article by Health Fitness Revolution, kite flying regenerates energy and has a way of reducing stress and tension in everyday life. “Watching a kite drift across the sky, it’s easy to become relaxed, temporarily letting go of today’s headaches and tomorrow’s deadlines.”
A kite is a device that soars through the air at the end of a line. It may be large or small, light or heavy, simple or ornate.
Kites are named after the kite bird, a graceful hawk. (With reports from Aira D. Mendiola and Daniel A. Panis, OJTs/PNA)
