Traditional Filipino Games or Indigenous games in the Philippines (Tagalog: Laro ng Lahi)

are games commonly played by children, usually using native materials or instruments. In the
Philippines, due to limited resources of toys for Filipino children, they usually invent games
without the need of anything but the players themselves. Their games' complexity arises from
their flexibility to think and act.
HISTORY
Traditional games during the pre-hispanic period naturally engaged in certain forms of physical
activity incidental to their living with indigenous people the game was a matter of survival of the
fittest meaning survival of the physically fit.
Games commonly played by children, usually using native materials or instruments. In the
Philippines, due to limited resources of toys of Filipino children, they usually come up on
inventing games without the need of anything but the players themselves.
Because it is a tradition for Filipinos to playing a bigger and spacious area, most games are usually
played outside the house. Some games are played or held during town fiestas in the provinces.
A few decades ago, kids used to gather in the streets or in their neighborhood playground to play
their favorite Larong Pinoy games like piko, patintero, taguan, tumbang preso, siato, luksong tinik
etc.These has been their regular and popular pastimes, as well as the favorite games of their
parents and grandparents until new and modern forms of entertainment has taken over the
interests of young kids.
Article XIV, Section 14 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “The state shall foster the
preservation, enrichment and dynamic evolution of a Filipino National Culture based on the
principle of unity in diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual expression.
Article II Section 17 of the same constitution prescribes that, “The state shall give priority of
education science, technology, arts, culture and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism,
accelerate social progress, and promote total liberation and development”.
TRADITIONAL GAMES IN THE PHILIPPINES
These are games commonly played by children, usually using native materials or instruments.In
the Philippines, due to limited resources of toys of Filipino children, they usually come up on
inventing games without the need of anything but the players themselves.
Because it is a tradition for Filipinos to play in a bigger and spacious area, most games are usually
played outside the house. Some games are played or held during town fiestas in the provinces.

"Tumbang Preso"
Tumbang Preso is not just a game. It’s a fun outdoor physical activity that helps children players
develop strategic planning skills and agility.
Long before the internet and gadgets were introduced to them, Filipino kids had already been
playing this outdoor social game called Tumbang Preso.
Tumbang Preso or Tumba lata (Tagalog), or Bato Lata (Bisaya) literally means “Knock Down the
Prisoner” or “Knock Down the Can” in English. This game is usually played in backyards, open
fields, parks, or in the streets when vehicular traffic is minimal. While the game involves much
physical activity like running, Tumbang Preso calls for skills in strategic planning and agility to
avoid being tagged.
"Patintero"
Patintero is one of the two most popular outdoor games Filipinos play. It’s played on a rectangular
grid drawn into the ground. The game is fun and helps develop gross motor skills and team
building.
The term roughly means “block the enemy”. Actually, it’s not an “exclusive” children’s game at
all. Adults play patintero, too, as one of their recreational activities during family (and friends)
gatherings.
Patintero is the Tagalog term for this outdoor game. Although some kids call it harangangtaga or
harang-taga, which literally means “block and catch” in English. In other parts of the Philippines,
patintero is called by other names, like:
• Tubigan, tubiganay, or tubig-tubig (water game) in the Visayas and other Bisaya-speaking
regions. This is called so because of the fact that the grid lines on the ground are usually
drawn using water.
• Lumplumpas (Igorot)
• Sinibon or serbab (Ilokano)
• Sabatan (Kapampangan)
When patintero is played by four players, it’s called tadlas, and birus-birus (in Eastern Visayas)
when it involves six players.
Patintero is actually more than a team game. It helps the players develop gross motor skills, hand-
eye coordination, strategic thinking, and of course, team building.
"Kadang-Kadang"
Kadang-kadang was officially played in 1969. It uses at least two types of tools. The bamboo
poles are suited for older kids and adults. While the coconut shell is for the younger ones.
Kadang-Kadang or karang (in Bisaya), and Tiyakad (in Tagalog) is Bamboo Stilts game in
English. This game originated in Cebu, Central Philippines.
Historically, kadang-kadang was first officially played in 1969. It was during the Laro ng Lahi
(Game of the Races). The Laro ng Lahi is a traditional sports event initiated by the then Bureau
of Physical Education and School Sports (BPESS).
“SUNGKA “
Sungka is a popular and traditional board game that Filipinos play. It’s one of mancala games
with many variations, depending on the households or cultural groups that play it.
Sungka (pronounced SOONG-kah) is a game of skill in a calculation involving two players at a
time. It’s played on a block of wood called sungkahan or sungkaan (gameboard). The sungkahan
has two rows of seven small round holes on each side and two bigger holes at both ends of the
board. The small holes are called bahay (house), while the two big ones are called “mother” or
ulo (head).
“Bahay-Bahayan”
“Bahay-Bahayan” (in Tagalog) or “balay-balay” (in Bisaya), which literally means “home
simulation” in English. Outdoor Bahay-Bahayan using banana leaves and coconut fronds.
It is a role-playing game where children act as members of an imaginary family, sometimes to the
extent that one of them becomes the family "pet". They then act out various household situations
such as dinner, going to mass, etc.
Players build their "house" using mattresses, tables, chairs, and any thing around the house when
played inside. When played outside, they build it with planks tied on trees, leaves, etc. They also
use tin cans, sticks, etc. as their kitchen utensils. In general, children use their imagination in
using regular things as house items.
The participants now play the role of the assigned characters. The house helpers will clean the
house; the father will try to get money (sometimes leaves, candy wrappers, bottle crowns, etc.);
the mother will cook; the children plays and follow their parents; etc
“Luksong-Tinik”
Luksong Tinik, “jumping over thorns” in English, is a group game of two teams. Each team,
composed of an equal number of players, chooses a nanay (mother), while the rest of the
teammates are called anak (children). The objective of the game is for all players to be able to
jump over the height of the hands placed one on top of the other without touching them. The two
mothers are expected to be high jumpers. The first to jump is decided by the mothers, who would
toss a slipper. The mother whose team wins the toss will have the first jump. The other team
serves as the tayâ (on base) and forms the tinik (thorns) with their feet and hands.
Two players on the base sit facing each other, putting a foot forward and touching the other
player’s foot. Then, each member of the other team starts jumping over the feet. When all
members have jumped over, the players on the base add a hand, with palm and fingers open,
above their feet, then another, and so on until all the base players have piled their hands over.
When all the jumpers have successfully jumped over without hitting the hands of the base players
with any part of their body, or with their clothing, the game is repeated with the jumpers leaping
over again. If the mother’s children hit the hands of the base players, it’s considered a “fault” (an
error), and the mother has to jump for the erring child. But if the mother fails, it’s time for the
base players to take the jump.
Luksong Tinik originated in Cabanatuan City, in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines.
In Myanmar, there’s also a game similar to Luksong Tinik, which they call Hpan Khone. This
game is played mostly by girls, although sometimes boys would join in.
“Luksong-Baka”
Luksong Baka originated from the province of Bulacan, in the Central Luzon Region of the
Philippines. This game involves a minimum of 3 individual boys and a maximum of 10. Although
kids may adjust the maximum number of players, especially when there are many participants.
Its objective is for players to successfully jump over the baka (cow), also called the tayȃ or “it”,
without hitting any part of the latter’s body or falling over him.
No equipment is required in playing Luksong Baka, except for these three skills:
• Mobility, or the player’s ability to move easily and freely. The more agile the player is, the
higher he can push himself up.
• Stability – it’s the player’s ability to keep his body parts steady, especially on his waist.
• Strength – once the player is stable, he can jump as high as possible without hitting the
baka
These skills are a player’s “POWER”, enabling him to successfully jump over even at the highest
level of the game.
“Palosebo”
The game "Palo-Sebo" is commonly played during "Fiestas." The equipment needed is a 10meter
bamboo pole with a 10.16-centimeter diameter, small bag, a prize and lard or grease.
This game is played by boys during a town fiesta or on special occasions.
Long and straight bamboo poles are greased and polished to make them smooth and slippery.
Before they are set upright, a small bag containing the prize is tied at the end of every pole. It
usually contains money or toys.
The contestants try to climb the poles to secure the prizes. Anyone who fails to reach the top is
disqualified. The winner is the one who succeeds in reaching and untying the prize.
Chinese Garter
Chinese Garter, a game requiring flexibility, adjust and coordination, is a famous game for
Filipino kids, most particularly among young ladies amid their elementary years. The game
rotates around a normal garter, around a few yards in length, which be brought from sewing store
at around twenty pesos or less.
This is the way the game played. Initially, there ought to be two individuals holding the two ends
of the garter which is extended on a level plane while others are attempting to transfer over to the
opposite side of the garter. The primary objective of this game is to crosswise over the garter
without being tripped. In each round, the stature of the garter increases. The garter by and large
begins from the lower leg – level and after that knee – level, et cetera until the point that the garter
is situated overhead. Higher rounds request agility since players jump with their feet first
noticeable all around and they traverse the strap and wind up arriving as an afterthought. This
implies players ought to be dexterous, rationally gifted and should have beauty keeping in mind
the end goal to complete the game. Also, doing cartwheels (to cross the strap) in higher levels is
allowed.
“Tsato / Syato”
It is also known as “stick game, better be good at it.” It can be played by 2 or more players. The
players will use two sticks. The sticks should be different in size. The one will be longer than the
other as the batter of the short one (1 m; 5 in). Just make a small slanting hole on the ground for
the smaller stick.
Player A will be the hitter and Player B will be the catcher. When Player A hits the smaller stick,
the Player B should catch it. If Player B doesn’t catch it, Player A will put the longer stick down
the hole horizontally and Player B has a chance to hit the longer stick from the area where the
smaller stick has dropped in. If Player B doesn’t hit it, the smaller will be placed on the hole
vertically on its ground and Player A will hit the top of it and try to hit it many as he could so that
he could get a higher score. The measurement of the smaller stick will be the count of his scores
from the area where it dropped in after hitting and each count will be counted as how many times
the number of hits is. Player B has a chance to catch the smaller stick while Player A hitting it. If
Player B catches the stick, he will be the hitter now and Player A will be the catcher.
As punishment, the winner will hit the smaller stick for 3 times until it reaches a long distance.
The punished player will say the word “syato” while running through the hole and the voice
should not stop. If so, the winner will hit the smaller stick again on the area where the punished
player has stopped and the punished player will say the word again and so on.
Hand Clapping Games
A hand-clapping game generally involves four people. They are split into two pairs with each pair
facing each other. Members from both pairs face the center (the two pairs being perpendicular to
each other). Each pair then does a hand clapping "routine" while singing the "Bahay Kubo" or
"Leron-leron Sinta". In the middle of the song, each pair would exchange "routines" with the
other.

A variation on the game