Ever experienced role playing during your childhood days?
Remember the time when playing ‘Balay-Balay’ (Bahay-bahayan in Taglog) means participants will be designated to play the role of a father, mother, sister, brother, youngest or sometimes even a pet?
This role playing game inspired the conceptualization of a cultural initiative by the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office to learn and relearn traditional folkways of the Capiceños in a fun and real way.
The program named after the traditional game is showcased by the PTCAO at the Capiz Ecology Park and Cultural Village in Barangay Nagba in Cuartero town to preserve and promote the province’s brand of heritage and traditions.
Recently, participants of the 10th Batch of the Southeast Asia (SEA) Pre-Service Student Teacher Exchange Project from Indonesia experienced the Balay-Balay program.
The 21 student teachers were from various universities, including Universitas Nusa Cendana, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Universitas Mercu Buana Yogyakarta (UMBY), and Universitas Muhammadiyah Kotabumi, all of which are partner institutions of Capiz State University for the program.
The visitors experienced the “pagginawi” or way of life in the province as they performed household chores, cooked native dishes and delicacies, played traditional games, immersed in abaca and nito weaving, and more.
They also engaged with cultural masters such as the Panay Bukidnon Indigenous Peoples Community of Tapaz town.
“This will help them to have an overview and experience of the Philippine culture and this time we expose them to Capiz culture which includes cooking our native cuisines the traditional way which we found useful for our students,” CapSU International and National Affairs Director Marien A. Laureto.
Balay-balay aimed to impart essential life skills among the visitors that they can apply in their daily lives and pass on to future generations. It also emphasizes the vital role of its participants as bearers of cultural heritage.
“I’m very happy and honored to be welcomed by the Filipinos because they are hospitable and respectful,” said Zakiyyah Salsabila.
She is among the 10th batch of SEA Teacher Student Exchange which aims to provide an opportunity for pre-service student teachers to have teaching experiences in schools in other countries in Southeast Asia.
The creation of the SEA Teacher is based on the Southeast Asia Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) seven priority areas for its 11 member countries to work together to improve the quality of education in Southeast Asia.
The initiative exemplifies how education can go beyond academic learning and become a means of building bridges between cultures, fostering understanding, and celebrating diversity.
Indeed, learning is not only confined within the four walls of the classroom.
Through Balay-Balay, one could turn a fun day into a learning experience. (AAL/PIA Capiz)
