I used to enjoy watching my niece play pretend when she was around five and six years old. She had a vivid imagination and took on roles influenced by TV-land especially cartoons like Dora, the explorer. She would twirl and dance around like a princess or a fairy. But she didn’t just act a role, she would lengthily prepare for it. She would run around the house and gather household items suitable to use as props and costumes. She even had imaginary puddles that she would jump over for those pretend rainy days.
Needless to say she was also pretty good at imitating the adults within her sphere of influence. She would mimic her mum on a shopping spree and at work. She would pretend to type with a mock-up board as a laptop, her head angled to one side with a pretend mobile stuck to her ear. Her Kindergarten teacher was another role model whom she imitated. Although she was not of reading age yet, it was fascinating to listen to her made-up stories. Based on the pictures on a page she would weave tales for the younger kids whom she rounded up and who would not have known any differently.
I must admit, I did play pretend too when I was young. I remember playing house-house with those little palayoks (cooking earthenware) which of course I never took on as an adult. Then when my grandfather gave me a desk and a blackboard as a gift, I moved on to playing student-teacher with a neighbor and took turns at playing both roles.
Throughout elementary and high school, we were introduced to a range of activities that stretched our scopes of interest. That allowed us to get into more ‘let’s pretend roles’. It was also a chance to cultivate and nurture our natural talents, if any; hone in on those leadership qualities; and a way of improving interaction and socializing skills. At senior year, we even took on roles of catechists in underprivileged schools – much more real but still pretend.
As we moved on to College and took on the careers of our choice it was pretty much more of the same. Except this time, instead of pretend roles, they called it practice and training. What was learned in theory was then placed to practice. Remember when the teachers would say, “okay who wants to be in this group”, and “who wants to do that”. And of course, much later, we learned to play postman too.
Amusingly, I look around now and I see so many engrossed at their pretend games, hell bent on gaining praise and winning. Some remind me of my little niece all perked up on her stool telling those who know no better to follow her. Some cry ouch! Foul! – totally oblivious to the rules, while some simply persist on ignoring the rights or twisting them as they please and letting those fickle fingers of blame spin out of control. Some led by the unknowing, may really not know any better. Some simply refuse to admit and just push and push to see how far they can go.
Perhaps, some are acting out their frustrations, still playing the roles they wanted to do but never got to do. Some are desperately wanting and needing attention which they never got as children. Then again, maybe it’s the only thing they were really good at – playing games. You see them wondering around in Kiddieland though some venture into the borders of Cartoonville. Except this time it’s the real world. The stakes are higher, the playground is larger, and more characters at play, with much more dire consequences. And worst is, we get dragged into their little games. These juveniles should be made to stand in the corner.
And soon – very, very soon, when Philippine President Benigno Aquino III lands in Sydney for his State visit, .some will want to play grownups. Then again, I may have spoken too soon, as I have no doubt in my mind that some of the kids who love to play around will show off their tantrums just as they did when President Ramos came. Maybe, some of the older ones are already groveling to ingratiate themselves.
Ahhh, the fun times. Kids, let the games begin.
