Traditional games in the Philippines facts for kids

Traditional Filipino Games or Indigenous games in the Philippines (Tagalog: Laro ng Lahi) are special games often played by kids in the Philippines. These games usually use simple, natural materials or sometimes no materials at all! Filipino children are very creative. They often invent games that only need the players themselves. The games become exciting because kids use their imagination and quick thinking.

The name Laro ng Lahi was made popular by the Samahang Makasining (Artist Club), Inc., also known as "Makasining." They worked with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts to share these games. Many local government groups and organizations now use this name too. A main goal of Makasining is to teach these fun Filipino games to young people. They even made a special scoring system for five games: Patintero, Syatong, Dama, Lusalos, and Holen.

Some well-known traditional Philippine games include luksung baka, patintero, piko, and tumbang preso. These are mostly played as children's games. The yo-yo, a popular toy, got its modern design from Pedro Flores. Its name comes from the Ilocano language.

Why These Games Are Still Played

Dickie Aguado, who leads the Magna Kultura Foundation, says that Traditional Filipino Games are "very much alive in the Philippines." Some people think these street games are disappearing because of computers and new technology. But that's not true! In many cities and rural areas, lots of Filipino children still play outdoor street games. This is because most kids don't have their own technology yet.

Games like Patintero, Tumbang Preso, Piko, Sipa, and Turumpo are still played daily in neighborhoods. One reason some children stop playing Filipino games is that Western sports like basketball or volleyball are often organized in local areas and schools. Since there aren't as many organized events for Filipino street games, kids sometimes switch to modern sports.

Fun Filipino Games

There are more than 38 known Filipino games. Many of them are just as challenging and fun as games from other countries. Here is a list of some traditional Filipino Games:

Agawan Base

This game means "catch and own a corner." The player who is "it" stands in the middle of the playing area. Other players stand in corners, which are called "bases." Players try to switch bases by running from one corner to another. The "it" player tries to quickly run to an empty corner and claim it. If they succeed, they become the new "it." Some call this game "agawang sulok" or "bilaran."

Sekyu Base

Sekyu Base is a version of Agawan Base. In this game, there are no score limits. Even if a team scores five points, the game keeps going. Players can hide near the enemy base and surprise them.

Araw-Lilim

Araw-lilim means "sun and shade." The player who is "it" tries to tag or touch any player who is standing directly in the sunlight. Players are safe if they are in the shade.

Bahay-Bahayan

In Bahay-Bahayan, players create pretend houses. They use things like curtains, spare wood, ropes, or anything they can find. Each person chooses a role, like a parent or a child. Then, they act as if their imaginary house and family are real.

Bati-Cobra

Bati-Cobra is a game where players hit and catch. You need two bamboo sticks: one long and one short. This game is played outdoors by two or more people.

One player is the batter. They stand some distance away from the other players. The batter holds the long stick and tosses the short stick into the air. Then, they hit the short stick with the long stick. The other players try to catch the flying short stick. If someone catches it, they become the next batter. If no one catches it, any player can pick it up. The batter then puts the long stick on the ground. The player with the short stick throws it, trying to hit the long stick on the ground. If they hit it, they become the next batter. If they miss, the same batter continues playing.

Bulong-Pari

Bulong-Pari means "whisper it to the priest." This game has two teams and one player who is the "priest." The leader of Team A goes to the priest and whispers the name of a player from Team B. Then, the leader goes back to their team. The priest calls out, "Lapit!" (meaning "Approach!"). One player from Team B must approach the priest. If it's the player whose name was whispered, the priest says, "Boom" or "Bung!" That player then becomes a "prisoner" near the priest.

Calahoyo

Calahoyo means "hole-in." This outdoor game is for two to ten players. It helps you practice aiming accurately. The goal is to hit small stones called anak with a bigger, flat stone called a pamato. You try to get the anak into a small hole dug in the ground.

A small hole is made in the ground. A throwing line is drawn about 5 to 6 meters away from the hole. Another longer line is drawn between the hole and the throwing line. Each player has a pamato and an anak. All the anak are placed on the throwing line. Players throw their pamato from the throwing line, trying to get it into or closest to the hole. The player whose pamato is in or nearest the hole goes first. Using their pamato, they try to hit an anak and send it into the hole. Players take turns hitting their anak until one gets into the hole. The game continues until only one anak is left outside the hole. Players who get their anak into the hole win. The player whose anak is left outside is the alila (loser) or muchacho. The winners then "punish" the loser.

Winners stand at the throwing line with their anak beyond the longer line. They hit their anak with their pamato. The muchacho picks up the pamato and returns it to the owner. Winners keep throwing, and the muchacho keeps picking up and returning the pamato as punishment. If a winner misses their anak, they stop throwing. The goal is to make the loser tired as punishment. After everyone has had their turn, the game starts again.

Chinese Garter

Two people hold a stretched garter (a long elastic band) horizontally. Other players try to cross over it without tripping. The garter's height is raised after each round. It starts at ankle-level, then knee-level, and goes up to above the head. Higher levels need good balance and jumping skills. Players usually leap feet-first over the garter. For higher levels, doing cartwheels to cross is allowed. Sometimes, a rule is added for lower levels: players must cross with both legs together, not one at a time.

Declan Ruki

Declan Ruki means "I declare, do it!" The winner of the previous game tells the other players to do something. It's like the game Simon Says.

Hand Clapping Games

These games usually involve four people. They split into two pairs, with each pair facing each other. The two pairs stand so they are perpendicular (like a plus sign). Each pair does a hand-clapping routine while singing songs like "Bahay Kubo" or "Leron-leron Sinta." In the middle of the song, the pairs switch routines with each other.

Here are the lyrics to the songs:

Bahay Kubo

Bahay Kubo, kahit munti Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari, Singkamas at talong Sigarilyas at mani, Sitaw, bataw, patani, Kundol, patola, Upo't kalabasa, At saka meron pa, labanos, mustasa, Sibuyas, kamatis, Bawang at luya, Sa paligid-ligid ay puno ng linga.

Leron-leron Sinta

Leron-leron sinta Buko ng papaya. Dala-dala'y buslo, Sisidlan ng bunga, Pagdating sa dulo'y Nabali ang sanga. Kapos kapalaran, Humanap ng iba.

There are variations of the song, like:

Gumising ka, neneng, Tayo'y manampalok, Dalhin mo ang buslong Sisidlan ng hinog. Pagdating sa dulo'y Lalamba-lambayog, Kumapit ka, neneng, Baka ka mahulog.

Another version:

Ako'y ibigin mo Lalaking matapang, Ang baril ko'y pito, Ang sundang ko'y siyam Ang lalakarin ko'y Parte ng dinulang Isang pinggang pansit Ang aking kalaban.

A fun variation adds actions to the lyrics. For example, in the song "Si Nena" (about a girl named Nena), players act out Nena's life stages: from being born, growing up, getting married, having children, getting old, dying, and finally becoming a ghost. After she dies, one player pretends to be a ghost and tries to tag the others.

Here are some lyrics for "Si Nena":

Si Nena ay bata pa, kaya ang sabi nya ay um um um ah ah (players act like a baby) Si Nena ay dalaga na, kaya ang sabi nya ay um um um ah ah (players act like a lady) Si Nena ay nanay na, kaya ang sabi nya ay um um um ah ah (players act like a mother) Si Nena ay namatay na, kaya ang sabi nya ay um um um ah ah (players act like they are dead) Si Nena ay mumu na, kaya ang sabi nya ay um um um ah ah (players act like a ghost)

'Nanay tatay

Another version of a hand-clapping song is:

Nanay, Tatay, gusto ko tinapay (Mom, Dad, I want bread) Ate, Kuya, gusto ko kape, (Big sister, Big brother, I want coffee) Lahat ng gusto ko ay susundin niyo. (Everything I want, you will follow.) Ang magkamali ay pipingutin ko… (Whoever makes a mistake, I will pinch their ear…) (clap 5x)

Holen

Holen comes from "hole in." This game uses small glass balls called holen (marbles). Players hold a marble in their hand and flick it to hit other players' marbles out of a playing area.

In the USA, holen are called marbles. One way to play is to tuck the marble with your third finger, with your thumb under it, and your fourth finger to steady it. Players aim at marbles grouped inside a circle. They flick their marble, and any marbles they hit out of the circle become theirs. The player with the most marbles wins. Players can also win by hitting an opponent's marble to eliminate them. You need to be very accurate to win.

Another version of this game uses three holes dug in a line in the ground, with some distance between them. Each player tries to move their marble from the first hole, to the second, then the third, back to the second, and finally back to the first hole. Players decide where the starting line is and how far apart the holes are. The first player to complete the circuit wins. Players can also knock other players' marbles away using their own. The distance between holes usually means you need several shots to reach the next hole. Players shoot from where their marble landed. Players take turns shooting. In one version, players' marbles must pass back over the starting line.

Iring-Iring

Iring-Iring means "go round and round until the hanky drops." Once the "it" player is chosen, they walk around a circle of players. The "it" secretly drops a handkerchief behind one person. When that person notices the handkerchief, they must pick it up and chase the "it" player around the circle. The "it" player must reach the empty spot left by the person before being tagged. If the "it" is tagged, they have to take the handkerchief again, and the game repeats.

Jack 'n' Poy

This is the Filipino version of Rock-paper-scissors (bato, papel, at gunting). The game's name sounds American, but its origin is Japanese (janken). The lyrics in the Japanese version sound like "hong butt."

The lyrics are:

Jack 'n' Poy, hale-hale-hoy! (Jack and Poy, hale-hale-hoy!) Sinong matalo s'yang unggoy! (Whoever loses is the monkey!)

Hwego de Anilyo

Hwego de Anilyo means "game of rings." This game has a Spanish influence. Traditionally, it involved riding a horse while holding a dagger. The goal was to "catch" rings hanging from a tree or structure using the dagger. Nowadays, people usually play this game by riding a bicycle while holding a dagger. Competitors need to keep their speed up while riding their bikes.

Kapitang Bakod

Kapitang Bakod means "touch the post, or you're it!" or "hold on to the fence." When the "it" player is chosen, the other players run around. They can save themselves from being tagged by holding onto a fence, a post, or any object made of wood or bamboo.

Langit-Lupa

Langit-Lupa means "heaven and earth." One player is "it" and chases the others. Players can run on the ground ("lupa") or climb onto objects ("langit"). The "it" can tag players who are on the ground. But they cannot tag players who are standing on "langit" (like a bench or a rock). If a player is tagged, they become the new "it," and the game continues.

To choose the first "it," players often sing a chant while pointing at each person:

Langit, lupa, impyerno, im – im – impyerno (Heaven, earth, hell, he-he-hell) Max Alvarado, barado ang ilong (Max Alvarado has a stuffy nose!) Tony Ferrer, mahilig sa baril (Tony Ferrer is fond of guns!) Vivian Velez, mahilig sa alis! (Vivian Velez is fond of... Get out!)

When the song stops, the player who is pointed at is "out." The last person left becomes the taya or "it." Sometimes, if a player stays on "langit" for too long, others might count to 3, 4, or 5 to make them come down. This counting stops if another player is also standing on the "langit" object.

Lawin at Sisiw

Lawin at Sisiw means "Hawk and Chicken." This game is played by ten or more people, either indoors or outdoors.

One player is chosen as the "hawk," and another as the "hen." The rest of the players are the "chickens." The chickens stand in a line, one behind the other, each holding the waist of the person in front. The hen stands at the front of the line of chickens.

The hawk will pretend to "buy" a chicken from the hen. The hawk then takes the chicken, tells them to hunt for food, and pretends to go to sleep. While the hawk is "asleep," the chicken secretly returns to the hen. The hawk wakes up and tries to catch the chicken they "bought." The hen and the other chickens try to stop the hawk from catching the chicken. If the hawk catches the chicken, that chicken is taken and "punished." If the hawk fails, they try to "buy" another chicken.

This game was created by Cyberkada in 1995. It is still one of the most traditional games in the Philippines today.

Luksong tinik

Luksong tinik means "jump over the thorns of a plant." Two players act as the base of the tinik (thorn). They put their feet and hands together, slowly building up the "thorn" higher and higher. All players agree on a starting point, giving enough space to run and jump over the tinik. Players from one team start jumping over the tinik, followed by the other team members. If a player touches the hands or feet of the base players, they are "punished" with consequences.

Luksong-Baka

Luksong-Baka means "jump over the cow." This is a popular version of Luksong-tinik. One player crouches down, and the other players jump over them. As the game goes on, the crouching player slowly stands up, making it harder to jump over. A player becomes the new "it" if they touch the "cow" while jumping. The game continues until players decide to stop, usually when they get tired. It's the Filipino version of Leapfrog.

Palosebo

Palosebo means "greased bamboo pole climbing." In this game, players try to climb a slippery bamboo pole covered in grease. These games are often played during town festivals, especially in the provinces. The goal is to be the first person to reach a prize, usually a small bag with money or toys, at the very top of the pole.

Guess the Killer (Patay Patayan)

Patay Patayan, also called Killer Eye, needs at least four players. Players cut pieces of paper, one for each player. There should be one judge, at least one killer, at least one police, and the rest are regular players. The police's goal is to find and catch the killers. They do this by saying "I caught you" and naming the killer before the killer winks at the judge. The killer "kills" people by winking at them. If a killer winks at a normal person, that person says "I'm dead!" If the killer winks at the judge without being caught, the judge says "I'm dead, but I'm the judge," and the game starts over.

Pitik-Bulag

This game has two players. One player covers their eyes with one hand. The other player flicks a finger (pitik) over the hand covering the eyes. The person with covered eyes guesses a number with their hand at the same time the other person does. If their numbers match, they switch roles. Another version is that the "blind" player (bulag) tries to guess which finger the other person used to flick them.

Patintero

Patintero, also known as Harangang Taga or Tubigan, means "try to cross my line without letting me touch or catch you." Two teams play: an attack team and a defense team, with five players on each. The attack team must run along lines from their home-base to the back, and then return, without being tagged by the defense players.

The defense team members are called "it." They must stand on the "water lines" (or "fire lines") with both feet when they try to tag attacking players. The player on the center line is called "Yobmots." The lines are set up so that defenders can block the attackers. If even one member of the attacking team is tagged, the whole team becomes the "it" team.

Patintero is one of the most popular Filipino street games.

In 1997, Samahang Makasining (Artist Club), Inc. created a time-based scoring system, similar to basketball. Each team has six players (four playing, two waiting as replacements). The attacking team gets 20 minutes to cross the lines from home-base to the back and return. Each team can play three games. The playing area has four horizontal "water lines," two vertical lines (left and right outside lines), and one perpendicular line in the middle. Each square box is 6 meters by 6 meters.

A team wins based on the highest score of one player who reached the farthest distance. Scoring is two points for each of the four lines going away from home-base. It's three points for each of the four lines coming back toward home-base. There are five additional points for reaching home-base. For example, if someone makes it all the way across and back, they get (2 points × 4 lines) + (3 points × 4 lines) + 5 points for home-base = 25 total points.

Piko or Hopscotch

Piko is the Philippine version of hopscotch. Players stand behind a box drawn on the ground. Each player throws their cue ball (a small stone or object). The first player is decided by agreement (e.g., who throws closest to a certain spot). The person whose cue ball lands closest plays first, then the next closest, and so on. A player is out for the round if they stand with both feet in a single box.

Sambunot

Sambunot is a Philippine game played outdoors by ten to twenty players. The goal is to get a coconut husk out of a circle drawn on the ground.

A circle large enough for all players is drawn. A coconut husk is placed in the center. Players stand inside the circle. When someone says "go," players rush to the center to grab the coconut husk. Players can steal the husk from others. The player who successfully gets out of the circle with the coconut husk wins. Then, the game starts again.

Siklot

Siklot is a game of throwing stones, similar to knucklebones. The name siklot means "to flick." It uses many small stones. Players toss them in the air and try to catch them on the back of their hand. The stones caught are called biik ("piglets") or baboy ("pig"). The player with the most biik plays the second stage first. In the second stage, players flick the stones that fell on the ground, trying to make them hit each other. If they hit, the player collects them. This continues until a player fails to hit a stone. Then, the next player takes a turn with the remaining stones. Siklot is also the name of a traditional game similar to pick up sticks played by the Lumad people in Mindanao.

Sintak

Sintak is also called kuru or balinsay. It is very similar to modern knucklebones but comes from the Philippines. Instead of a bouncing ball, it uses a larger stone called ina-ina ("mother"). The player tosses the ina-ina into the air and must catch it before it hits the ground. While the ina-ina is in the air, the player quickly gathers smaller stones (or seeds or cowries) called anak ("children"). All these actions are done with only one hand. The game has many stages, each with different names and increasing difficulty. The first stage involves picking up the smaller stones one by one, then two by two, and so on. Other stages include kuhit-kuhit, agad-silid, hulog-bumbong, sibara, laglag-bunga, and lukob. For example, in kuhit-kuhit, the player must touch a forefinger on the ground with each throw while collecting stones. The last stage is called pipi, where the losing player is flicked on the knuckles by the winner. A version of the game doesn't use an ina-ina stone. Instead, players just throw the collected pebbles (more than one at a time in later stages).

Sawsaw-Suka

Sawsaw-Suka means "dip it into vinegar." The "it" player holds their palm open. Other players touch the palm with their index fingers, singing "sawsaw suka/mahuli taya!" (dip it into the vinegar/the last one (or one who got caught) is it). At the end of the song, the "it" tries to catch any player's finger. Another version of the song is "Sawsaw suka/Mapaso taya!" (dip into the vinegar/the one who gets burned (the one who removes their finger) becomes it).

Sipa

Sipa means "game of Kick." The object used in the game is also called sipa. It's usually made from a washer with colorful threads, often plastic straw, attached to it. Sipa can also be played with a rattan ball or a lead washer covered in cloth or plastic. The sipa is thrown up, and the player kicks it with their foot. The player must not let the sipa touch the ground. They hit it many times with their foot, and sometimes with the part just above their knee. The player counts how many times they can kick the sipa. The one with the most kicks wins. Sipa was the national sport of the Philippines until 2009.

The game of Sipa is similar to the Western game Hacky Sack. Sipa is also played professionally by Filipino athletes using a woven ball, called Sepak Takraw. Its rules are borrowed from Indonesia.

Sikaran Sikaran is a unique Filipino Traditional Martial Art. It involves fighting with hands and feet. Sikaran is a general term for kicking and is also used for the kicking parts of other Filipino Traditional martial arts.

Pityaw

Pityaw is a game where players use two rattan sticks, one 12 inches long and one 6 inches long.

Taguan

Taguan is similar to hide and seek. What makes Tagu-Taguan special is that it's often played at sunset or at night. This makes it harder for the "it" player to find those hiding. In places like Laguna and Cavite, some pro Taguan players hide in caves! The "it" player sings a chant before they start looking:

Tagu-taguan, maliwanag ang buwan (Hide and seek, the moon is bright) Masarap maglaro sa kadiliman ng buwan (It is fun to play in the semi-dark night) 'Pag kabilang kong sampu (When I finish counting up to ten) Nakatago na kayo (All of you should already been hidden) Isa, dalawa, ... tatlo! (One, two, ... three!)

Another version of the chant goes: Tagu-taguan, maliwanag ang buwan (Hide and seek, the moon is bright) Wala sa likod, wala sa harap (Nobody in front, nobody behind) 'Pag kabilang kong sampu (When I finish counting up to ten) Nakatago na kayo (All of you should already been hidden) Isa, dalawa, ... tatlo! (One, two, ... three!)

Yet another version: Tagu-taguan, maliwanag ang buwan (Hide and seek, the moon is bright) Tayo's maglaro ng tagutaguan (let's play hide and seek) isa, dalawa, ...umalis kana sa puwestohan mo (one, two, ... leave that place)

Takip-Silim

Takip-Silim means "twilight game," "look out, cover yourself!" or "take-cover game!" In this game, players usually step on couches, hide under tables, or wrap themselves in curtains to avoid being seen.

Teks

Teks or teks game cards are playing cards collected by Filipino children. These cards have comic strips and text in speech balloons. The game is played by tossing the cards into the air. When they hit the ground, the cards are flipped upwards using the thumb and forefinger, making a snapping sound. The winner collects the other players' cards, depending on how the cards land.

For children, the bets are usually just for more teks cards. Adults sometimes play for money. A different version of the game, Pogs, uses round cards instead of rectangular ones.

Ten-Twenty

This game involves two pairs of players and a stretched garter. One pair faces each other, holding the garter stretched between them, forming two parallel lines. The other pair then starts a jumping "routine" over the garters while singing a song (counting "ten, twenty, thirty," up to one hundred). Each level starts with the garters at ankle-height and moves to higher positions. Players must jump skillfully over the garters while doing their routines.

Tinikling

This is a game version of the tinikling dance. The goal is the same: players must dance skillfully over clapping bamboo poles without getting their ankles caught.

If a player's ankle gets caught, they switch places with the players holding the bamboo poles. The game continues until everyone decides to stop.

Tiyakad

Tiyakad is a traditional Philippine game played for fun. It is a racing game where players walk on stilts, usually made from bamboo or tall branches.

Tsato / Syato

Tsato means "stick game" or "better be good at it." It involves two players, one long flat stick (about 3 feet), and one short flat piece of wood (about 4 inches, often cut from the long stick).

Player A is the hitter, and Player B is the catcher. It's played outdoors on the ground. A small, slanted square hole is dug. The short wood piece is placed in the hole so it sticks out.

Player A hits the short wood with the long stick, making it fly into the air. Then, Player A hits it again with the stick.

The farther the wood is hit, the more points Player A gets. Points are usually counted by how many long stick lengths away the wood landed.

If Player A wants to risk it, they can try to get a multiplier for their score. They hit the wood upwards twice in one turn before hitting it forward. If they succeed, the points are counted by the number of short wood lengths instead.

Player B tries to catch the small piece of wood. If they catch it, Player A gets no points, and it becomes Player B's turn. Player B also hopes Player A misses hitting the wood.

Sometimes, the losing player gets a punishment. The penalty is hopping on one foot from a spot marked by the winning player. This spot is determined by hitting the wood with the stick in mid-air as far as possible. The losing player hops from where it lands until they reach the hole.

Tumbang Preso

Tumbang Preso or Presohan (in Luzon), and Tumba-Patis or Tumba-Lata (in most Visayan regions), means "Hit The Can." This is another popular Filipino street game played by children. They use their slippers to hit a tin can placed in the center.

Like other traditional Filipino games, players have different roles. One player is the taya (it). This player guards the Lata (tin can). The other two players are the strikers. Players use their pamato (which is their slipper) to hit the tin can that is near the taya.

The game works like this: The taya must catch another player to take their place guarding the tin can. However, the taya can only catch someone if that player is holding their pamato and if the tin can is standing upright. So, while chasing, the taya also needs to watch the tin can. The other players try to hit the tin can and run away from the taya. They stay safe by holding their pamato. If they knock the tin can down, it helps other players who might be caught. If all players have had their turns, it creates a tense moment. The taya can then catch anyone, whether they have their pamato or not.

However, both sides have advantages. The taya stands on one side with the tin can in the middle. The other players throw from behind a line. If a player breaks a rule, like stepping over the line when throwing, kicking the tin, or hitting it without reaching the line, the taya gets an advantage.

In some versions, especially in Visayan regions and Southern Luzon, the taya's job is harder. The taya has to make the tin can stand upright with their own pamato on top of it. Even if the taya has set everything up, if their slipper falls from the tin, they cannot catch anyone until they quickly put it back in place.

Ubusan Lahi

Ubusan Lahi means "clannicide." In this game, one player tries to "conquer" the members of another group, like claiming them for their own "clan." A player from the main group who gets tagged automatically becomes an ally of the tagger. The more players, the better! The game starts with only one "it" player. This "it" tries to find and tag other players. Once a player is tagged, they then help the "it" to tag the remaining players until no one is left. Some people also call this game Bansai or Lipunan. It's best played with 5–10 players.

Board Games

Dama

Dama is the Filipino version of checkers. It has a specific set of rules. Players use chess pieces or any small objects that can be moved on a checkered board.

Lusalos

Lusalos is similar to the game Nine men's morris.

Sungka

Sungka is played with a wooden board. The board has seven small dips or holes on each side, and two larger holes at each end. Players use shells or stones. The main goal of the game is to collect more shells than your opponent.