Laro ng Lahi: Filipino Traditional Games

Image Source: Ikot.PH https://tinyurl.com/mr23r423

The sense of national identity is created through traditional games in the era of smartphones, gadgets, and the internet. It played a vital role in maintaining and enriching our culture and customs. When it comes to Filipino culture, one of the most recognizable characteristics is their capacity to thrive despite few resources.

Bahay Kubo

Hand clapping "routines" are performed in sync with the singing of "Bahay Kubo" by each pair of performers. This hand-clapping game has four participants. There are two persons in each team and one person facing the centre. During the song, "routines" are transferred back and forth between performers in pairs.

Piko

As they step back from the box's edge, each player simultaneously launches a cue ball into the air. The participants themselves decide the order in which the games are performed. The person gets the cue ball nearest to the agreed starting location, which starts the game the first. And so on till the next nearest object.

Tumbang Preso

To knock the can down, players throw "Yamato" (often a slipper) at it one at a time. The prisoner's "Yamato" can only be tagged if the container is held upright at all times. To become the new "prisoner," the "pamato's" owner must stand on both with one foot. He can tag other players as he exits the field. A "Yamato" is required for each toss. A prisoner must tag him and take the prisoner the next time they meet.

Langit Lupa

Langit Lupa is translated as "heaven and earth." To play the "It" role, you must first be labelled. " It" catches players who are allowed to travel and climb over obstacles (Lupa) in one scenario (Langit)." It" may catch people on the ground, but it will not tag players that are standing in the "Langit" (heaven).

Luksong Baka

In Luksong Tinik's "jump-over-the-cow," players jump over as the other kneels. It gets increasingly difficult for the other players to hop over the kneeling player as the game goes.

Ubusan Lahi

Catching your rivals is the main goal of Ubusan Lahi (e.g., you try to get the members of an opposing group). When the member of the opponent is identified, the tagging team earns an alliance. Joining a larger group provides several positive aspects. Even if there is only one player at the start of the game, scouting for other players and marking those players will begin immediately. As soon as a player is caught, they will help target the remaining players until there are none left.

Patentero

In the game of Patentero, you must attempt to step over the line without being caught or touched by any of the other opponents. Everyone in the group takes a position on the outside of the line. Consequently, the vertical line going through the runners from left to right increases their chances of getting captured due to the line passing through them. A group will be referred to as the "it" if just one person in the group is outed; otherwise, the entire group will be referred to as the "it."