Traditional Filipino games in the Philippines that I miss
Few years ago, I was once a little girl. A girl who likes to wear bright-colored dresses, a girl on high ponytail and a girl who loves to play outside. At that time, there’s no enough toys for me to play however, with my friends who invites me to join them, my childhood life never gets boring. Actually, we play our own version of laro ng lahi, or traditional Filipino games.
These Traditional Filipino games doesn’t require kids to have lots of resources yet, it is rest assured that everyone will enjoy. As a matter of fact, here are some of the games I used to play when I was younger.
Traditional Filipino games in the Philippines that I miss
1. Yo-yo
Yo-yo is a solo game that people of all ages play both indoor and outdoor. It is handy and light to carry so, anyone can have it anytime and anywhere.
To describe it, Yo-yo is composed of a thick double disk and a string attach on its center. Its purpose is to connect and hold it as people starts to use it and do different types of tricks.
2. Spinning Top (Trumpo)
Spinning top is a wooden egg-shaped toy with a protruding metal point on its bottom causing it to spin when it’s launched with a piece of string.
This toy is one of the most on-trend game few decades ago and up until now, lots of kids are still using it in every street bonding they have.
3. Jackstone
Jackstone is a group Filipino game played by at least two or more people. When playing the game, all you need is a small ball and a number of around 5-10 almond-sized stones.
Also, this is very popular in Korea as for them, it is easy to play and inexpensive.
All of these games are mostly played in one station but, here’s what you also need to know about Filipino games that are played outdoor and that will require you to run, jump and use a force.
4-6. Luksong Tinik, Luksong Baka and Luksong Lubid
Luksong Tinik, Luksong Baka and Luksong Lubid are quite different from other Filipino games played by little children. Here, the game requires at least 5 persons above making two opposing team to compete. The players of these games sets a starting point from lowest to highest while avoiding not to make even a small mistake that can lead them to losing.
Their only difference is that Luksong Tinik and Luksong Baka doesn’t require any material to be used when playing, while, Luksong Lubid from the word itself needs a lubid or garter.
Are you know having an idea on how to live like a Filipino kid? Well if not, then maybe you should try this final set of Filipino games.
7. Patintero
Patintero is an outdoor game played by two teams: the attack team and defense team. Here, lines are in a shape of square and rectangle in order for the defense team to trap and tag the attack team.
Once one member from the attack team has been trapped or tagged by the defense team, it is now time for them to switch positions.
8. Tumbang Preso
Tumbang Preso or also known as Tumbang Lata is a game played by 3-9 people having individual slippers to be used in targeting an empty tin can.
During the game, there should be only one (1) taya guarding the empty tin can from his opponents. However, fun comes when the tin can has been hit because it is now time for the taya to tag one of his playmates trying to retrieve their own pamato which is their slipper.
9. Tagu-taguan
Tagu-taguan is a Filipino version of the hide and seek game. Here, one of the players will be the taya that will obviously look for his playmates hiding from him. This is best to play during night time so that the taya will have a hard time looking for the next it of the game.
Now that’s it, the pile of Filipino games that I miss playing everytime I remember my childhood life. I’m happy I must say, however, I always wonder how it feels like playing it again with my friends.
Remember to learn these games pal and start teaching it to the new generations. Yes, it is not required yet, these games are all part of our culture. Let’s embrace it and let the world know how jolly and playful every Filipino is.
Nathalie Shien is a 4th year BUeño taking a degree in Journalism under the Department of Print and Broadcast Media at the College of Arts and Letters. She is a well motivated individual who finds writing as one of her favorite things to do. It is her past time hobby to write literary works such as poems, short stories and many more. Aside from this, she loves to talk with people, socialize with them as she saw that it is a great help to understand someone's story. Besides, her desire to become a great writer improved as she joined their school-based organization namely as Bicol Organization of Neo-Journalists (BONJour).
