Traditional Fun

CEBU, Philippines - Before the video game industry has taken the world by storm, your moms and dads played in most inventive ways they knew how. Using their feet, an old tin can or even an old pair of slippers, your parents definitely did it the old way.

Here is a rundown of your parents well-loved games. Here are probably the most popular traditional games played at any street corner back then.

Patintero

Priceless things you will need: chalk, coal or anything that writes on the ground

This game is played by six players who are divided into two teams, assigned as either the runners or taggers. The ground is marked off in a rectangle, divided into four equal parts. 

The taggers stand on the lines while the runners get through all the lines back and forth without being tagged.  The team that scores three consecutive points is the winner, and will be the runners of the next game.  If a runner is tagged while crossing a line, or while trying to cross, the teams exchange places. 

Luksong Tinik

Priceless things you will need: your hands, your feet and good jumping skills

The players are divided into two teams. Two players are chosen as mothers of the teams.  The rest of the players are children. The mothers are supposed to be high jumpers, for the object of the game is for players to able to jump the height of the hands placed one on top of the other without touching the piled hands. 

Two players on the base will sit facing each other with their right feet touching.  The jumpers jump over the feet.  Then one hand is placed above the feet with palms and fingers open, then another  and so on until all the fingers are piled one on top of  the other. 

When the jumpers have jumped over the piled hands without touching the hands by any part of their body, or hem of dress, the game is repeated. Players take turns on being jumpers.

Tumbang Preso

Priceless things you will need: tin cans, slippers

A player will guard a can that is the target among hitters lining up at the back of the toe-line. The slipper must be retrieved immediately once the can is knocked down because once the “it” has placed the can back inside the circle, anyone tagged becomes the “it.”

When the can is hit and is thrown the circle but remains standing, the “it” has the right to tag the hitter once the hitter leaves the toe-line. If a hitter is not able to retrieve his slipper, the other players can save him by hitting the can.

Taguan

Priceless things you will need: your intuition and your vision

Unlike regular hide and seek, we Filipinos have the tendency to create theme songs before starting the game.

One player is chosen as an “it.”  He remains at a base determined by all the players.  The other players then hide, and when securely hidden, they call out “It!”  The “it” goes in search for the rest.  Those who are hiding may repeat the call at their own discretion.

The game ends when all of the players are found.  The player who is first found will be the new “it” (the searcher) in the next round.

Aside from being a fun summer activity, these games are also a great way to connect with your families.

Plus, traditional games stimulate the brain through logical thinking and strategy. It keeps our brain healthy and stimulated.

Go tell your mom and dad and have a great time together!

Source: http://www.seasite.niu.edu./Tagalog/Filipino_Games/mga_larong_pilipino.htm