"Batang kalye"

Over the past week, I’ve noticed the increase in the number of children playing on our streets. This brings back some good childhood memories for me, as I had so many “kalaro” [playmates] and consider myself a “batang kalye” [child of the streets]. My friends and I had so much fun!

Wendy has also been spending less time in front of the computer and the TV and much more playing habulan and hide and seek with her friends, which is great because if it keeps up, we have no more need for the one-cup-per-meal diet and for the fitness equipment. In fact, as of this moment, they are playing touch ball [I’m sure some of you know that]. And I’m resisting the urge to join [I feel I badly need the exercise]! As I watch her dodge the ball, I feel happy that the kids are not forgetting that street games are more fun than computer games, and you can quote me on that!

Honestly, I don’t mind if Wendy too becomes a “batang kalye.”