GABI NG LAHO: LUNAR ECLIPSE

"Pagdidiwata, Biyaya ng Hiwaga": Designing a Card Game About Philippine Mythological Deities Advocating National Identity Among Youth in Metro Manila

Ven Jimenez

Gabi ng Laho (Lunar Eclipse - when a creature; Bakunawa swallows the Moon); A social deduction table top card game to uncover the hidden traitor inside the ‘Baranggay’. Will the Mortals defend themselves against ‘Hukluban’ - A minion of Sitan or will they uncover the shapeshifter before it's too late? Will they unlock the blessing or receive the wrath of the gods? The game teaches the audience about the ancient Filipino way of divining or communicating (Pagdidiwata) with spirits and to the gods as it reintroduces and highlights the deities of Myth. The research intends to simulate a reimagined version of Tagalog mythology using terms and stories influencing the gameplay.

Gabi ng Laho is an educational, fun and thrilling social deduction table top card game for the youth to play with their friends and family. The Deities of myth aren't much popular unlike the creatures of lore. It teaches the importance of appreciating our ancestors' way of life and how important it is for them to commune with the spirits. The game reintroduces the Tagalog mythological deities along with reviving some old ancient terms for the youth’s reference. Philippine mythology is more than just creatures of the night.

In conclusion, the researcher found out that the diversity of regional cultures is not the problem but instead it highlights the unique charm of the Philippines as a unified nation. It is evident that the youth lacks awareness and lacks enough visual reference to the intangible cultural heritage. Therefore, these problems lead to the importance of achieving national identity. It is also found out that the strengths of the visual communication campaign about the study and design of a social deduction card game as a consumable form of reference for the Filipino youth.

Hi, I’m Ven: Art, Spice and everything Nice. I see through things with a different perspective. My art mission is ‘Art and Functionality’. Designing with meaning as it serves its purpose. I am a visionary; an idealist that believes everything is subject to change without prior notice. Adapt and improvise is the key to resourcefulness and unleashing true creativity.

Email: vhenven@yahoo.com
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