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| (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/Batangas Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office) |
The month of March typically marks the start of the summer season with most schools on break and children having less opportunities for active play given changing lifestyles. With this in mind as well as the continuing return to normalcy following the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the provincial government of Batangas and several local government units (LGUs) across the province are collaborating with kite-flying aficionados to encourage the youth to experience and enjoy more outdoor activities through the Batangas Kite Fest 2024.
“Batangas is one of the more popular destinations for weekend recreation. Through our Batangas Kite Fest 2024, we want to offer more options for outdoor activities that kids of all ages can participate in and enjoy. The province of Batangas invests in developing our youth in terms of education, sports, and overall well-being, with one of the highest budgets for academic assistance, scholarships, and sports development among all provinces in the country," said Batangas Governor Hermilando I. Mandanas. For Eric Basit, the kite fest aims to promote kite-making and flying. The art of making kites is part of the Traditional Cultural Expressions Domain under Republic Act 11904 or The Philippine Creative Industries Development Act. “Changes in how we live today mean that our children are not able to play outdoors the way past generations did and are instead living virtually through online games, video streaming, and social media. There is less opportunity for social interaction. We want to encourage our youth to try going outside and flying a kite,” said Basit who is the President of Papagayong Batangueño, an organization of kite-flying hobbyists and enthusiasts in the province.
Now on its second year embroidered by the success of its initial run last year, the Batangas Kite Fest is organized by the Batangas Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO) and Papagayong Batangueño in cooperation with the provincial government of Batangas with support from private sector partners and donors. In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) last February 29, 2024, Basit said this year’s celebration will not only feature colorful and locally-made kites but also the natural wonders as well as cottage industry products of each town hosting the activities. “Not only just kite-flying, we will also showcase the beauty of the province and the food that they can try in every locality of each leg. They can tour the area and try our food to explore what Batangas has to offer,” he said. With the theme “Explore, Enjoy, Experience Batangas", the festival is set to showcase the culture and heritage of the province to local and foreign tourists through the magic of kite flying.
The month-long event kicked off last March 3, 2024 at Calaca Central School in the city of Calaca which will be followed by Leg 2 on March 10, 2024 at the Putingbuhangin Baywalk in San Juan, Batangas and Leg 3 on March 17, 2024 at the First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP) Baseball Field in Pagaspas, Tanauan City. Every location shall pose different challenges to kite flyers in the qualifying rounds because of the changing geographical conditions with the final leg to be held on March 24, 2024.at the Montemaria International Pilgrimage & Conference Center in Batangas City, the site of the tallest statue of the Virgin Mary in the world. Each leg is composed of various activities that include kite design workshops, kite display competitions or "pagandahan", and kite flying competitions or "kitayan". Basit expects another successful staging of the festival following its inaugural event last year that garnered more than 120 entries from participants in the region. “Last year, the participants were only Batangas residents… this year, we are expecting more participants since we have already invited kite enthusiasts from Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Quezon. Cash prizes will also be much higher than last year,” said Basit. He encourages kite-makers to use alternative materials such as paper, clothes, and leaves. Likewise, he is urging the younger generation to take an active role in promoting the culture of kite-making and kite-flying. “While we also need technology, let us not forget our hobbies like kite-making and kite-flying,” he said. “Let the Batangueño spirit soar high as we begin the Batangas Kite Festival this summer of 2024… May the bravery of every Batangueño soar as we continue to face the challenges and vitality of life and achieve our dreams,” said PTCAO Supervising Administrative Officer and Division Head Amado Hagos in Filipino as he is encouraging and inviting local and foreign tourists to visit the sites of the Batangas Kite Fest 2024, take a gander at the beautiful and colorful kites hanging in the skies and enjoy the sights, wonders and flavours before, during and after the event.
For more information on Batangas Kite Fest 2024, visit the official Facebook page of Batangas Provincial Tourism and Cultural Office at www.facebook.com/BatangasPTCAO. (With words by Pot Chavez, Philippine News Agency)
