'Islands Abridged' video game raises awareness on PH maritime heritage
A new video game aims to teach young kids about the identity of the Philippines as an archipelagic and maritime nation.
Islands Abridged Presents: Horizons of Sand and Water launched by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is an interactive exploration of the Philippines, its people, and how both have been shaped by its identity.
The DFA, through its Office of Maritime and Ocean Affairs (MOAO) and in cooperation with the Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy (OPCD), released the game on Sept. 30, 2022.
According to DFA, the game features a character that can explore the entire archipelago of the Philippines including its provinces, famous landmarks, destinations, and natural wonders promoting public understanding of our country’s maritime facts.
The two-dimensional map that covers 300,000 square kilometers of the country’s territory, including its waters, helps the user explore the ocean floor and discover “the colorful secrets that lie beneath the waves” through the help of Butandings and a Balangay Ship.
Developed by OCPD principal assistant Marthy Angue, the online game was released to close this year's celebration of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month 2022 (MANA Mo 2022).
Islands Abridged can be accessed on DFA-MANAMo 2022 website and is intended for IOS and Desktop users, ages 4 and up.
The DFA website also features Giant Dandelions Art Exhibit by French-Filipino artist Olivia d’Aboville, the Archipelagic Doctrine, and The MANA Mo Classroom, featuring activities for children such as storytelling and origami on marine creatures.
As part of the Presidential Proclamation 316, signed on September 2017, “MANA Mo encourages all Philippine government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and local government units, as well as the private sector, to implement programs and activities that contribute to raising awareness about maritime and archipelagic issues.”
