A Guide to Traditional Filipino Games

Living in a world full of gadgets created a new breed of species called the Techno Sapiens. Due to modernity and aggressive competition in the market, we simply forgot the traditional things we grew up with and some things that helped form the Filipino culture. Before the rise of our smartphones and tablets, we have activities that keep us entertained. A better way of gaining friends, develop your social skills and sportsmanship. We introduce to you some of the traditional Filipino games.

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Patintero

Photo by Yabang Pinoy via Flickr

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Patintero is one of the famous Filipino games. It is usually played on the streets. It is also another way of playing tag. A team who will tap the opposite party will have to stand on a line and is allowed to tap an opponent if he tries to pass across it. Once an opponent was tapped, the opposite party will now stand on the water line to tag the other team. Each team should be composed of 5 members.

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Tumbang Preso

Photo by Maji Gasgonia via prezi.com

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Just like patintero, tumbang preso is another way of playing tag. But this time you just need a pair of slippers and a tin can. Players can be composed of 5 people and one IT. The goal of the players is to stumble the tin can being protected by the IT. Once stumbled, the IT has to put the can in place and try to tag the next IT by tagging the nearest slipper inside his circle. Other players has to get their slippers before the IT put the can in place which creates the thrill in the game.

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Luksong Tinik

Photo by Chris Linag via Flickr

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Luksong tinik is a Filipino version of a High Jump where a pair of players will serve as a tinik (a Tagalog word for ‘thorns’). A tinik serves as the level of how high other players will jump over it. The main goal of the game is to jump high as you can with out touching the thorns that will oust you from the game.

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Sungka

Photo by dbgg1979 via Flickr

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If you are into indoor games, we have the Sungka. It is a traditional Filipino game which is played by 2 players. You need the sungkaan which is the wooden board with 16 holes. You need some small shells that serves as your main game piece, and 7 pieces of shells are placed in the small holes. The goal of the game is to get as many shells versus to your opponent to win the game.

These are some of the traditional Filipino games that also make the Filipino culture lively. It is fun to play, it is fun to watch but most important of all is that you also meet new friends in a fun in a creative way. Plus, it is also a good way of exercising your body and your mind.

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Article by Camille Nunez