Physical Education III

PHILIPPINE TRADITIONAL GAMES

MODULE 9
Introduction to Philippine Traditional Games

Learning Outcomes
2.1 Learn the history, culture, traditional significance and types of Philippine traditional
games

INTRODUCTION
This module contains information about Philippine traditional games. It covers the
knowledge required to learn about the history, culture, traditional significance and types
of Philippine traditional games. Completion of this module will help you in preparing for
the succeeding modules.

This module consists of one (1) learning outcomes. The learning outcome
contains learning activities with instructional sheets. Read the instructional sheet then
proceed to the activities. Your performance in each activity will ascertain that you have
acquired the knowledge necessary for the learning outcomes provided.

Upon completion of this module, report to your teacher for your assessment
regarding the knowledge and skills requirement for this module.

CONTENT
History, Culture and Tradition
In the book ‘A study of Philippine Games’ (1980), author Mellie Leandicho Lopez
noted that ‘laro’ is the Filipino generic term for all forms of recreational play. The closest
word term for the game is the ‘palaro’ referring to a group of special occasion games
that take place during wakes, festivals and town fiestas. This would also refer to games
that are competitive in nature where each contest is always brought to a conclusion.
Major studies of games pointed out that traditional games are shared communally within
Philippine context. The same situation exists in neighboring countries, specially
Indonesia.
It is also commonly known that games play an important part in the learning
process of the child. This educational influence of games on the physical, mental, and
moral vitality of a child is a factor why games in the country are still being practiced and
observed by the general public.
In this connection, the family plays a very important role in the transmission of
traditional games on to their children. The family, specifically the parents, reinforce the
child’s learning process. Psychologically, it helps the child in building up himself to use
all possibilities that will make him grow normal. Lopez also observed that the normal
child’s natural interests lead him to different types of games at different periods of his
development.
The family is a social agent that builds the development of each member of the
household. As traditionally practiced in the Philippines and the neighboring countries,
children learn from their parents. It is the obligation of the parents to help their children
learn social customs, standards and values of his culture. This system is also shared by
other members of the family, relatives, and, by and large, the members of the
 Physical Education III
PHILIPPINE TRADITIONAL GAMES
community, speeding up the learning process of any child. Also, with this frame of
attitude, preservation of tradition is enhanced, and the children benefit from it. It is in this
process that whatever they learned is right away integrated into their consciousness.
Malay (1956) pointed out that ‘Filipinos like to play games,’ and this is observed
true. Traditional and high-tech games are simultaneously played around the country. As
part of Filipino pastime, especially in the rural areas and during moonlit nights, the
neighborhood gathers and shares games in the plazas, open areas, and main roads,
trying different sets of games and interacting with each other as part of their recreation,
socialization, and relaxation after a hard day’s work.

Philippine Traditional Games

1. Patintero
2. Piko
3. Sipa
4. Luksong baka
5. Luksong tinik
6. Chinese garter
7. Bulong pari
8. Iring iring
9. Juego de prenda
10. Tumbang preso
11. Ubusan lahi
12. Ten-twenty
13. Agawan base
14. Agawan sulok
15. Kapitang bakod

References:
Lopez, M. (2001). A Study of Philippine Games. Manila, Philippines: University of the
Philippines Press.
National Center for Culture and the Arts. (2003). Traditional Games in the Philippines. Retrieved
from: https://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/in-focus/traditional-games-in-the-philippines/