Filipinos are known for their diverse culture and pleasant traits such as friendliness and hospitality that can be seen whenever foreign tourists visit Philippines. Aside from its national practices and traits, people can say that they are truly natives of the Philippines if they know and have already played Philippine traditional games. In this modern world where technologies are at its peak of success, let us escape, remember, and reminisce our childhood memories as we discuss some of the Philippine traditional games.

 

AGAWAN BASE

Agawan Base or known as “capturing base” is a war-like Filipino game played by two teams with a minimum of three players in which each team are asked to protect their territory from being seized. In order to capture the opponent’s base, a player must step or touch the opponent’s territory without being tagged. This game is usually played in the beach since this game involves running, chasing, and tagging.

 

BAHAY-BAHAYAN

Bahay-bahayan is a role-playing Filipino game where children act as a member of an imaginary family with an imaginary house. This game has taught young Filipinos how to do household chores such as sweeping, washing dishes and clothes, cooking, and the like.

 

CHINESE GARTER

Chinese Garter is a Filipino game that tests the stamina, balance, agility, and jumping skills of the players. It is usually practiced and played by Filipino girls during their school breaks or leisure time. To play this game, there must be two players who will hold both ends of the horizontally stretched garter while other players cross over it. The main objective of the game is to cross the garter without touching the garter by any possible means. The stretched garter will be raised higher for every round.

 

LANGIT-LUPA

Langit-lupa is a Filipino game played by at least 10 players in which each players should avoid being tagged by the “it” (taya) through standing on higher levels (langit). The “it” should chase other players while running on the level ground.

 

LUKSONG-BAKA

Luksong-Baka is popular version of the Luksong-Tinik wherein one player crouches to enable other players to jump over him/her. The level of difficulty arises when the crouching player gradually stands up, making it hard for the other players to jump over him/her and complete the challenge.

 

LUKSONG-TINIK

Unlike Luksong-Baka, Luksong-Tinik involves two players who serve as the thorns by putting their feet close to each other. Each player is asked to jump higher in order not to be near-missed by the thorns.

 

PALOSEBO

Palosebo is a traditional Filipino racing game that requires the players to climb up on the greased bamboo pole to reach a small bag located at the top of the pole. This game is still being played by Filipinos especially during fiestas.

 

PATINTERO

Patintero or commonly known as “harangang taga” is a traditional Filipino game that is played by a group of players who try to pass across their opponents and reach their goal without being tagged by their hands.

 

PIKO

Piko is a traditional Filipino game that requires each player to throw their cue ball and to stand inside the box without going beyond its edge.

 

SIPA / SEPAK TAKRAW

Sipa, the national sport of the Philippines, is a game that requires its players to throw the plastic straw (sipa) upwards by tossing it using his/her knees or foot in order for it to not touch the ground. The main objective of the game is to count the number of times that the player kicked the sipa. The one with the most number of kicks wins the game.

 

TUMBANG PRESO

Tumbang Preso is a traditional Filipino street game commonly known as “Presohan” that is played by three or more players where each player is provided with a slipper or “pamato” to hit an empty tin or plastic container guarded by the prisoner. When all of the players have thrown their “pamato”, they must get it back by going outside the throwing line without being tagged by the prisoner.

 

TEKS

Teks is a Filipino game usually played by Filipino children by collecting these cards that contains comic strips and texts. This game is played by tossing it to the air until it reaches the ground.