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. With the flexibility of a real human to think and act makes the game more
interesting and challenging. 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. These games of Filipino children include the
following:

Agawan Base
There are two teams with two bases. How many players on each team depends on the
players. There are two bases which each team claims as their own. The goal is to tag the
other team's base without getting tagged. If you're tagged, you're transferred to the other
team and must be rescued. There are several variations in which the rules are changed, in
some, you can connect other items on the base so you can easily touch the base. There are
usually set points, such as first team to tag the other team 5 times wins. You can tag other
people who has touched their base before you and are on the opposite team. If they've
touched their base after you've touched your base, they can tag you, and you can't tag them.

Agawang sulok
- catch and own a corner - The it or tagger stands in the middle of the ground. The players
in the corners will try to exchange places by running from one base to another. The it
should try to secure a corner or base by rushing to any of those when it is vacant. This is
called "agawan base" in some variants, and "bilaran" in others
Araw-Lilim
- sun and shade - The it or tagger tries to tag or touch any of the players who is in direct
contact with the light.
Bahay-Bahayan
Picture
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, and the like.

Bahay-Kubo
A hand-clapping game generally involving 4 people. They are split into two pairs, a pair
having 2 people facing each other, and all members from both pairs facing the center (the
two pairs being perpendicular to each other). Each pair then does a hand clapping
"routine" while singing the "bahay kubo." At the middle of the song, each pair exchanges
"routines" with the other.

Bati-Cobra
This is a hitting and catching game. This game is played outdoors only by two or more
players.

To play this game, 2 pieces of bamboo sticks (1 long, 1 short) are required. A player acts as
a batter and stands opposite the others players at a distance. The batter holds the long
bamboo stick with one hand and tosses the short one with the other hand. The batter then
strikes the shorter stick with the longer stick. The other players will attempt to catch the
flying shorter stick. Whoever catches the stick gets the turn to be the next batter. If nobody
catches the stick, any player can pick it up. The batter then puts down the longer stick on
the ground. The holder of the shorter stick will throw it with the attempt to hit the longer
stick on the ground. If the longer stick is hit, the hitter becomes the next Batter. If the player
with the shorter stick misses to hit the longer one, the same batter will continue.
Bulong-Pari
- whisper it to the priest - It is composed of two teams and an it. The leader of team A goes
to the priest and whispers one of the names of the players of team B. Then he returns to his
place and the priest calls out, "Lapit!" ("Approach!"). One of the players of team B should
approach the priest, and if it happens to be the one whom the leader of team A mentioned,
the priest will say, "Boom" or "Bung!" The player then falls out of line and stays somewhere
near the priest as a prisoner.
Buwan-Buwan
A rough circle is drawn on the ground and one person from the group is tagged. He is not
allowed to enter the circle, but instead has to touch one of the people inside the circle
without having entered it. If he succeeds, he can enter the circle, and the person touched
becomes the next one tagged.
Calahoyo ("Hole-in")
This is an outdoor game by two to ten players. Accurate targeting is the skill developed in
this game because the objective of each player is to hit the anak (small stones or objects)
with the use of the pamato (big, flat stone), trying to send it to the hole.

A small hole is dug in the ground, and a throwing line is drawn opposite the hole (approx 5
to 6 metres (16 to 20 ft) away from the hole). A longer line is drawn between the hole and
the throweing line. Each player has a pamato and an anak. All the anak are placed on the
throwing line, and players try to throw their pamato into the hole from the throwing line.
The Player whose pamato is in the hole or nearest the hole will have the chance for the first
throw. Using the pamato, the first thrower tries to hit the anak, attempting to send it to the
hole. Players take turns in hitting their anak until one of them gets into the hole, with the
players taking turns a complete round and so on. The game goes on until only one anak is
left outside the hole. All players who get their anak inside the hole are declared winners,
while the one with the anak left outside the hole is the alila (loser) or muchacho. Alila
orMuchacho will be 'punished' by all the winner/s as follows:

· Winners stand at the throwing line with their anak beyond line A-B (longer line
between hole and throwing line). The winners hit their anak with their pamato. The
muchacho picks up the pamato and returns it to the owner. The winners repeat throwing
as the muchacho keeps on picking up and returning the pamato as punishment. Winners
who fail to hit their respective anak will stop throwing. The objective is to tire the loser as
punishment. When all are through, the game starts again.
Chinese Garter
Picture
Two people hold both ends of a stretched garter horizontally while the others attempt to
cross over it. The goal is to cross without having tripped on the garter. With each round, the
garter's height is made higher than the previous round (the game starts with the garter at
ankle-level, followed by knee-level, until the garter is positioned above the head). The
higher rounds demand dexterity, and the players generally leap with their feet first in the
air, so their feet cross over the garter, and they end up landing on the other side. Also, with
the higher levels, doing cartwheels to "cross" the garter is allowed.

Iring-Iring
- go round and round until the hanky drops - After the it is determined, he or she goes
around the circle and drops a handkerchief behind one of the players in the circle. If this
player notices the handkerchief, he or she has to pick up the handkerchief and go after the
it around the circle. The it has to reach the vacant spot left by the player before the itis
tagged; otherwise, the it has to take the handkerchief and repeat the process all over again.
Juego de Anillo
A game notably Spanish in influence. The name literally translates to "game of rings." It
involves riding a horse while holding a dagger and "catching" rings hanging from a tree or
some other structure using the dagger.
Juego de Prenda
- game of looking for the missing bird - There is no limit to the number of players that can
play. Players sit in a circle with the leader in the middle. Each player adopts a name of a
tree or flower that is given by the leader. The leader recounts the story of a lost bird that
was owned by a king. He or she says, The bird of the king was lost yesterday. Did you find
it, Ylang-Ylang? The player who adopted the name of the Ylang-Ylang tree at once answers
that he or she has not found it, so the leader continues to ask the other trees whether the
bird has hidden in them. If a player cannot answer after the third count, he or she is made
to deposit a thing he or she owns to the leader until the leader has been able to gather a lot
of things from the members.
Kapitang Bakod
- touch the post, or you're it! or hold on to the fence - When the it or tagger is chosen, the
other players run from place to place and save themselves from being tagged by holding on
to a fence, a post, or any object made of wood or bamboo.
Langit-Lupa
- heaven and earth - One "It" chases after players who are allowed to run on level ground
(lupa) and clamber over objects (langit). The "It" may tag players who remain on the
ground, but not those who are standing in the "langit" (heaven). The tagged player then
becomes "It" and the game continues.
Lawin at Sisiw ("Hawk and Chicken")
Picture
This game is played by 10 or more players. It can be played indoors or outdoors.

One player is chosen as the 'hawk' and another as the 'hen'. The other players are the
'chickens'. The chickens stand one behind the other, each holding the waist of the one in
front. The hen stands in front of the file of chickens.

The hawk will 'buy' a chicken from the hen. The hawk will then take the chicken, asks
him/her to hunt for food and goes to sleep. While the hawk is asleep, the chicken will
return to the hen. The Hawk wakes up and tries to get back the chicken he bought while the
hen and other chickens prevent the hawk from catching the chicken. If the hawk succeeds,
the chicken is taken and punished. If the hawk fails to catch the chicken, the hawk will try
to buy another chicken.

Luksong-Baka
Picture
- jump over the cow - A popular variation of Luksong Tinik, one player crouches while the
other players jump over him/her. The crouching player gradually stands up as the game
progresses, making it harder for the other players to jump over him/her.
Luksong-Tinik
Picture
- jump over the thorns - Two players serve as the base of the tinik (thorn) by putting their
right or left feet together (soles touching gradually building the tinik). A starting point is set
by all the players, giving enough runway for the players to achieve a higher jump, so as not
to hit the tinik. Players of the other team start jumping over the tinik, followed by the other
team members.
Palosebo
Picture
- greased bamboo pole climbing - This game involves a greased bamboo pole that players
attempt to climb. This games is usually played during town fiestas, particularly in the
provinces. The objective of the participants is to be the first person to reach the prize—a
small bag—located at the top of the bamboo pole. The small bag usually contains money or
toys.

Patintero
Picture
Harangang taga - try to cross my line without letting me touch or catch you - Each member
of the group who is it stands on the water lines. The perpendicular line in the middle allows
the it designated on that line to intersect the lines occupied by the it that the parallel line
intersects, thus increasing the chances of the runners to be trapped.even only one(1)
member of a group is tagged the whole group will be the "it".

Piko
Picture
hopscotch- The players stand behind the edge of a box, and each should throw their cue
ball. The first to play is determined depending on the players' agreement (e.g. nearest to
the moon, wings or chest). Whoever succeeds in throwing the cue ball nearest to the place
that they have agreed upon will play first. The next nearest is second, and so on.
Pitik-Bulag
Picture
This game involves 2 players. One covers his eyes with a hand while the other flicks a finger
(pitik) over the hand covering the eyes. The person with the covered eyes gives a number
with his hand the same time the other does. If their numbers are the same, then they
exchange roles in the game.

Sambunot
Sambunot is a Philippine game which may be played outdoors by ten or more players, but
not to exceed twenty. The goal in the game is to get the coconut husk out of the circle.

A circle is drawn on the floor, big enough to accommodate the number of players. A coconut
husk is placed at the center of the circle. The players position themselves inside the circle.
At the signal ″GO,″ players will rush to the center to get the coconut husk. Players may steal
the coconut husk from another player in an attempt to be the one to take the husk put of
the circle. A player who is successful in getting out of the circle with the coconut husk wins,
and the game starts again.
Sipa
Picture
- game of kick - The object being used to play the game is also called sipa. It is made of a
washer with colorful threads, usually plastic straw, attached to it. The sipa is then thrown
upwards for the player toss using his/her foot. The player must not allow the sipa to touch
the ground by hitting it several times with his/her foot, and sometimes the part just above
the knee. The player must count the number of times he/she was able to kick the sipa. The
one with most number of kicks wins the game. Sipa is also the term used for the Filipino
variant of Sepak Takraw.this game is called"pambansang laro".

Taguan
- hide and seek in America. What is unique in Tagu-Taguan compared to its counterpart,
hide and seek, is that this game is usually played at sunset or at night as a challenge for the
it to locate those who are hiding.
Takip-Silim
- twilight game, look out, cover yourself! or take-cover game! - Participants usually step on
couches, hide under tables, or wrap themselves in curtains – much to the dismay of neat-
freak parents.
Ten-Twenty
Picture
A game involving 2 pairs, with one utilizing a stretched length of garter. One pair faces each
other from a distance and has the garter stretched around them in such a way that a pair of
parallel lengths of garter is between them. The members of the other pair, then begin doing
a jumping "routine" over the garters while singing a song ("ten, twenty, thirty, and so on
until one hundred). Each level begins with the garters at ankle-height and progresses to
higher positions, with the players jumping nimbly on the garters while doing their routines.

Tsato
- stick game, better be good at it - Two players, one flat stick (usually 3') and one short flat
piece of wood (4" usually a piece cut from the flat stick).

Player A hitter and Player B as the catcher. Played outside on the ground where you dig a
small square hole (slanted) where you put the small wood so it sticks out.

Player A hits the wood with the stick so it catches air enough to be hit by the stick.

The further the wood gets hit the more points you get (usually counted by the number of
stick length

Player B on the other hand has to anticipate and catch the small piece of wood to nullify the
points and become his turn OR looks forward to Player A to miss hitting the wood.
Tumbang Preso
Picture
Tumbang Preso is a popular Filipino street game also known as Presohan.

The game requires 3 or more players. Each player is provided with a large throw-away
object (could be slippers or a shoe) called "pamato". A semi-flattened empty tin or plastic
container (the size of an 8 or 12 oz. tins) is placed in upright position 6 or 8 meters from
the throwing line. A player is drawn as the prisoner (usually through a system like Jack en
Poy). The prisoner will guard the empty tin or container.

The other players stand at the throwing line. They take turns throwing their "pamato" at
the empty tin, trying to knock it down. As soon as the can is knocked down, the prisoner
must put back the tin in upright position before he can tag the any of the players
attempting to recover their "pamato". If the "pamato" becomes too close to the tin in an
upright position, so that the prisoner can step on both with one foot, the owner of the
"pamato" becomes the new "prisoner". The prisoner can also tag the players while
recovering their "pamato" outside the throwing line.

After each throw, a player must recover his "pamato". Should he be tagged by the prisoner
before he reaches the throwing line, he becomes the prisoner in the next game.

Ubusan Lahi
- game of conquer - One tries to conquer the members of a group (as in claiming the
members of another's clan). The tagged player from the main group automatically becomes
an ally of the tagger. The more players, the better. The game will start with only one it and
then try to find and tag other players. Once one player is tagged, he or she then will help the
it to tag the other players until no other participant is left. Some people also know this a
Bansai.
Teks
Teks or teks game cards - texted game cards - Filipino children collect these playing cards
which contain comic strips and texts placed within speech balloon. They are played by
tossing them to the air until the cards hit the ground. The cards are flipped upwards
through the air using the thumb and the forefinger which creates a snapping sound as the
nail of the thumb hits the surface of the card. The winner or gainer collect the other
players' card depending on how the cards are laid out upon hitting or landing on the
ground.
Have you forgotten how to play your favorite laro ng lahi games? Don't worry, we've got
the rules to patintero, tumbang preso and more. Check them out now!
Our laro ng lahi reflect the ingenuity of the Filipino, as children make use of mundane
things like sticks, stones and slippers to produce friendly competition among peers.

These laro ng lahi challenge a child’s tactical intellect and teach a multitude of values. It
teaches them that life is bound by rules – and if they break them, they have to pay the price.
It also teaches the importance of meaningful strategy, planning ahead, teamwork and
communication.

But for the most part, our laro ng lahi are there for the laughs, excitement and sheer fun.

How do you play laro ng lahi games?

1. Patintero
laro ng lahi
Form 2 teams with equal number of players, at least 2 to 3 each. Each team is either a free-
roamer or a tagger.

ADVERTISING

ADVERTISING

As a free-roamer, your objective is to cross a gauntlet of parallel – sometimes, even

perpendicular – lines of taggers as many times as you can. If you’re tagged, you wait on the
sidelines until the next round comes. On that next turn, you’ll be the tagger out for revenge!

As a free-roamer, your objective is to cross a gauntlet of parallel – sometimes, even

perpendicular – lines of taggers as many times as you can. If you’re tagged, you wait on the
sidelines until the next round comes. On that next turn, you’ll be the tagger out for revenge!
3. Agawan Base
laro ng lahi
Similar to the game Capture the Flag, the goal of Agawan Base is to take over the other
team’s base without getting captured.

To begin, two teams are each assigned a base, like a lamppost or a tree. One person guards
the base and catches by tagging any approaching opponent.

Captured players stay at the opponents’ base, forming a line with linked hands and
outstretched arms. All of them may be saved by a free teammate if he or she touches the
line they’ve formed.

A base is captured when any of its free opponents touches it.

4. Langit Lupa
laro ng lahi
In choosing who’s “it” in this game of tag with a twist, kids chant: “Langit, lupa, impyerno /
Im-im-impyerno / Saksak puso, tulo ang dugo / Patay, buhay / Alis ka na diyan!” while
pointing at players one at a time with each syllable. The last syllable determines who’s “it.”

Langit-lupa means “heaven-earth.” So the “it,” who’s “on earth,” cannot tag anybody “in
heaven.” The game hones the players’ resourcefulness as they scramble to find higher
ground by standing on a bench or climbing a tree.

Players can only stay “in heaven” for 10 seconds. After which, they come down to “earth”
where the “it” can chase and tag the next “it.”

5. Siato
laro ng lahi
A short stick about 6-8 inches long is placed on top of a dug hole. The objective is to hit the
short stick with a longer stick that’s about a foot long as far as you can in 3 turns.

A turn is made up of 2 strikes: one upward strike to get the short stick into the air and
another strike while the stick is in mid-air to make it fly forward.

The loser of the game shouts, “Siato!” while running back to the starting point.

Our laro ng lahi reflect the ingenuity of the Filipino, as children make use of mundane
things like sticks, stones and slippers to produce friendly competition among peers.
These laro ng lahi challenge a child’s tactical intellect and teach a multitude of values. It
teaches them that life is bound by rules – and if they break them, they have to pay the price.
It also teaches the importance of meaningful strategy, planning ahead, teamwork and
communication.
But for the most part, our laro ng lahi are there for the laughs, excitement and sheer fun.
How do you play laro ng lahi games?
1. Patintero

Form 2 teams with equal number of players, at least 2 to 3 each. Each team is either a free-
roamer or a tagger.
ADVERTISING
ADVERTISING
As a free-roamer, your objective is to cross a gauntlet of parallel – sometimes, even
perpendicular – lines of taggers as many times as you can. If you’re tagged, you wait on the
sidelines until the next round comes. On that next turn, you’ll be the tagger out for revenge!
As a free-roamer, your objective is to cross a gauntlet of parallel – sometimes, even
perpendicular – lines of taggers as many times as you can. If you’re tagged, you wait on the
sidelines until the next round comes. On that next turn, you’ll be the tagger out for revenge!
2. Tumbang Preso

Tumbang preso means “fallen prisoner.” To play, a tin can is set upright on the ground
inside a drawn circle. The “it” will protect the can from the other players, who are standing
behind a line about 2 meters away and will strike it down using their rubber slippers.
Only when the can is down can players retrieve their thrown flip-flops without getting
tagged by the “it.” If a player is tagged while the can is upright and in its circle, that person
becomes the new “it.”
3. Agawan Base
Similar to the game Capture the Flag, the goal of Agawan Base is to take over the other
team’s base without getting captured.
To begin, two teams are each assigned a base, like a lamppost or a tree. One person guards
the base and catches by tagging any approaching opponent.
Captured players stay at the opponents’ base, forming a line with linked hands and
outstretched arms. All of them may be saved by a free teammate if he or she touches the
line they’ve formed.
A base is captured when any of its free opponents touches it.
4. Langit Lupa
In choosing who’s “it” in this game of tag with a twist, kids chant: “Langit, lupa, impyerno /
Im-im-impyerno / Saksak puso, tulo ang dugo / Patay, buhay / Alis ka na diyan!”while
pointing at players one at a time with each syllable. The last syllable determines who’s “it.”
Langit-lupa means “heaven-earth.” So the “it,” who’s “on earth,” cannot tag anybody “in
heaven.” The game hones the players’ resourcefulness as they scramble to find higher
ground by standing on a bench or climbing a tree.
Players can only stay “in heaven” for 10 seconds. After which, they come down to “earth”
where the “it” can chase and tag the next “it.”
5. Siato
A short stick about 6-8 inches long is placed on top of a dug hole. The objective is to hit the
short stick with a longer stick that’s about a foot long as far as you can in 3 turns.
A turn is made up of 2 strikes: one upward strike to get the short stick into the air and
another strike while the stick is in mid-air to make it fly forward.
The loser of the game shouts, “Siato!” while running back to the starting point.
For a quick review of the most popular laro ng lahi, check out this video from the People's
Television Network (PTV): http://youtu.be/u1X-q6DHDXM.