Traditional Filipino Games

The following is a partial list of traditional Filipino games commonly played by children usually using native instruments in the Philippines:

Agawang Sulok - 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.

Araw-Lilim - The it or tagger tries to tag or touch any of the players who is in the light. A runner saves himself or herself from being tagged by staying in the shade. The one tagged becomes the tagger in the next game. If more than five are playing, the game may have two or three taggers at the same time.

Bulong-Pari - 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.

Iring-Iring - 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 it is tagged; otherwise, the it has to take the handkerchief and repeat the process all over again.

Juego de Prenda - 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 - 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.

Luksong-Tinik - 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.

Patintero - 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.

Palo-Sebo - 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.

Piko - 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.

Sipa - The object being used to play the game is also called sipa. It is made of a washer with colorful threads attached to it. The sipa is then thrown upwards for the player toss using his/her feet.

Sungka - The objective of the game is to amass stones or cowrie shells in the player's home base (bahay) by continuously distributing the shells around smaller holes until the player runs out of shells to distribute. The person who collects the most shells in his or her bahay wins.

Taguan - hide and seek in American.

Takip-Silim - Participants usually step on couches, hide under tables, or wrap themselves in curtains – much to the dismay of neat-freak parents.

Source: Wiki