DAVAO CITY (PIA) – Filipino sports will be among the highlights of this year’s celebration of Kadayawan 2010 in this city.

Organized by the Association of Creative Artists, Inc. (AOCAI), the Kite Association of the Philippines (KAT) and Team Spin Alliance, kite flying and yo-yo tournaments will stage a colorful and exciting twist to this year’s celebration of the city’s premier festival.

The competition will be held at the Davao City National High School on August 22.

Registration of participants will be at 7 to 9 a.m. Kite-flying competition opens from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, while yo-yo starts 2:30 p.m.

“Our objective is to revitalize or bring back Dabawenyos’ love for Filipino sports and activities, which has been part of our culture but seemed virtually unknown among youth nowadays,” said AOCAI founder Benedict Marfori.

Yo-yo was popularized by Filipino immigrant and entrepreneur Pedro Flores when he commercially produced this handmade toy in 1928 in California, Los Angeles and Hollywood.

Playing yo-yo promotes hand dexterity and mental alertness, said Marfori.

Kite flying may have originated from China but it has long been part of Filipino culture.

There were even OPM (Original Pilipino Music) songs dedicated to the toy.

“There are many benefits in playing kite. It encourages one to go out and enjoy nature, looking up to the skies and playing with the wind has relaxing effect,” said Carlito A. Perez who owns Carlo’s Kites along V. Mapa Street.