Introduction:

Every one of us played games on one point of our lives from

childhood years until now.
Filipinos played traditional games for amusement whenever
suitable opportunities arise because games are mostly used for
entertainment purposes and also for educational purposes. Games in
the Philippines, such as; Sungka, Games of the Generals, Dama
and Chess etc., has been a part of the Filipino pastime such
as Filipino children are famous for their lively personality
despite odd conditions. Also, they aren’t very materialistic.
Thus, traditional games or commonly called “Larong Lahi” represent
the diversity of Filipino culture and tradition. These games are
fragment of unique and artistic heritage.
But today, these games are rarely played due to the
advancement of technology that most people especially children are
disposed to it. In this modern age of new machinery, you can
see few children playing our national games. They are more
inclined with their gadgets and consoles like Xbox, PSP, Ipad.

Lesson Proper:
Playing is one of the priceless happiness of each and every
child. Good games are important for children to help them learn
and grow in a way that makes them feel good. It also helps them
develop their social capacity and at the same time self-confidence
within themselves.
Philippine Traditional games are also called Laro ng Lahi.
Filipino traditional games and sports have originated from
different cultures, some of which have pre-Hispanic origin or we
called it indigenous games these games are very unique in terms
of how they played it. We Filipinos are known as sports-loving
people and creative in any aspect of life and these traditional
games is a testament to our passion for play. There are Filipino
games now such as Sungka, Dama, and Patintero that become less
popular in the children because of the born of new machinery.
However, there are Filipino games such as Sipa, Yoyo, and Arnis
have been adopted by other countries as their own.
These games should remain relevant as they provide the people
the opportunity to learn, appreciate, and experience aspects of
their own culture. These games also provide essential training in
social interaction and help develop camaraderie, sportsmanship,
and honesty because encouraging their preservation will mean
understanding our own culture.
The Concept of “Laro ng Lahi”
“Laro ng Lahi” refers to the traditional or native sports of
the Filipinos. They are part of heritage. The Filipinos, even
before the Spaniards came to the Philippines, were very active in
sports and games.
 The first “Palaro ng Lahi” was held in Laoag, Ilocos Norte,
on February 10, 1984, sponsored by the provincial government in
cooperation with DECS. The inclusion of some of our native games
in the Physical Education curriculum had been approved
particularly at the secondary level.
Today, “Laro ng Lahi” is recommended as one of the best leads
–up games and activities for students from graders to college
level. It is also a way of teaching our students to patronize
indigenous games that were popularized by our natives. It also
promotes fitness and competition. Playing the games in Laro ng
Lahi helps students develop health and fitness programs like vigor,
flexibility, agility, and endurance. It also enhances a student's
social relationships with others. It develops group qualities like
cooperation, teamwork, and coordination.

THREE TYPES OF ‘LARO NG LAHI”

• SINGLE GAMES
Individual games are games that are played by single
participants or relay teams to inject and add competition in the
class.
Examples of single games Piko, Sipa (using rattan ball),
and Tumbang Preso

• DUAL GAMES
Dual games are sets of activities done by two or more than two
players.
Examples: Sungka, Dama, Buno, Bunong Braso (Arm
Wrestling), and Culliot (similar to tug of war)

• GROUP GAMES
Group games are sets of activities that require more than four
members of the team. They are usually practiced in class as
their supplemental activities or lead-up games.
Examples: Patintero, Luksong Tinik, and Luksong Baka

CHARACTERISTICS OF GAMES
1. A game is a free and voluntary activity
-Any play activity that forces or drafts a player against his
will is not game. By this definition, grammar school games
initiated and organized by teachers on playgrounds or high school
sports in gyms, supervised by coaches, are out of the category of
games. In other words, it’s a player’s own choice to play when he
wants to, with whom, why, and how. A game should never be imposed
by anyone and never made a moral duty of a player. For example, In
playing piko or any type of game it’s our own choice whether we’re
going to participate or not because it is very hard for us if we’re
going to push ourselves in participating in a game.
2. A game has two or more forces (individual or teams) of equality
matched caliber in opposition
-The moment one player or team has an edge; over the opponent,
in one form or another at the very inception of the contest, the
activity stops being a game in the true sense of the word. This
is one of the reasons that children love to play games because, in
a game with adults, they are equal partners. For example in
playing patintero, there is an equal distribution of participants
wherein each team must consist of a boy and girl in order to have
an equal play.
3. A game is governed by rules
-The everyday rules of life are suspended and are temporarily
replaced by a set of rules that are both absolute and
precise. There may be some argument over what rules to follow, for
different players know different versions of a game, but they're
never is any argument over the use of rules. Rules are very
important in a single game, because how can you play a game without
a set of rules to follow. For example in playing Sungka, how can
you start the play without knowing the first move, the pointing
system, and also how can we determine the winner; So rules in-game
are important in order to have a smooth play.
4. A game is make believe
- From the viewpoint of the world outside, a game is not real.
A game takes place in a temporary world within the ordinary world.
Players step out of real-life into a temporal sphere of activity.
But the paradox in a game is that while players are only pretending
and everything is done strictly for fun, there is seriousness in
the pretense. To players, the game is very real and very important,
and they are intensely committed to it. The good example of it is
the Bahay-Bahayan- players are assigned what will be their
character (father, mother, teacher, doctor, and etc..) the main
objective of this game is to portray the role of their chosen
character in which their actions are based on their observation in
the society.
5. The outcome of the game is uncertain
- If the result of the game is known in advance, it ceases to
be a game. Hence, a player who has become sure winner among his
fellow players either stops playing or other players refuse to
include him. Competition in a game brings about tension. Tension
due to uncertainty leads to chanciness. A player’s ultimate
objective is to use a strategy that would tip the initial
equilibrium between him and his opponent in is favor at the end of
the game. One of the key components of the game is a challenge,
wherein players are involved in serious play because their main
objective is to win. In a single game, we cannot predict who will
be the winner it is based on the players on how they play until
the game finished.
6. A game is non-utilitarian
Unlike work, it produces no goods and no services. It produces
only the beauty of happiness.
7. A game is separate and selective
- Not all people are in a game. Players consider their
activity as a closed unit in their chosen space and time and
anything happening outside at that moment is irrelevant. The charm
of a game is enhanced by making a secret or an exclusive domain
out of it; the idea that this is for us and not for others is
basic. People mostly called it their pastime. From exposing their
body from heavy work they look for extra time to relax their body.
For example, during your childhood years after class, you are
looking for playmates to play before you go home. So it’s your own
choice to play.
8. A game has a Dual function
It teaches the rules of society and at the same time serves
as an escape from the restrictions of society. Games are considered
by adults as good devices for socialization. Children are believed
to learn teamwork, fair play, tolerance, and sportsmanship from
games. Non-competitive play is often referred to as pastime for it
is personalized fun and is undertaken purposely to while away the
time. For example in playing Dama, while playing you are
interacting with your opponent, so there is social interaction
between you and your opponent, and also you are learning while
playing the game.

PRE-GAMES (Preliminaries to Games)

One of the most interesting parts of the game is the “pre-
game”. This includes all preliminary formalities the players go
through before actual competition starts, such as: selecting
leaders, choosing sides pilian, determining who starts
first (manuhan), and who shall be the “it” or “taya”. Some of the
procedures adopted seem unnecessarily lengthy, even
tortuous. Sometimes they appear to be rituals than simple
preparations for a competitive game.
Pre-game activities are not essentially parts of a game but
are preludes to a game. They perform the function of setting the
stage, both physically and emotionally for the participants before
they engage actively in the contest. A game starts only when the
actual competitive action between the rival parties begins, and
not a moment before that time.
• Selecting Leaders
Special qualities are generally needed in persons
who are to be the leaders or captains. Young players
always prefer to place themselves under stronger
and older leadership.
• Choosing Sides
 In team competitions, the players are divided into
two or more opposing teams or groups. A captain or
leader is first elected or chosen and then each
chooses his own players. The choice is made
alternately one at a time, the first captain chose
generally has the first choice.
• Choosing the “It”
People all over the world have may ways of choosing
an “it”, but whatever method is used, the ideal
universal rule dictates the strict impartiality
must be employed in the choice of the first player
to step into the role.

WAYS IN CHOOSING THE “IT”

BUNUTAN OR LOTTERY
The common type of choosing IT is lottery or bunutan. Players
can choose a number, straw, paper, or other materials in
guessing who is it.
“TIHAYA” o “TAOB” or Toss Coin
Toss coin can determine the IT
JACK AND POY or “BATO-BATO PICK”
This is a finger-flashing method of selecting IT using the hand
in signaling the fingers, closed fist stone (BATO), open palm as
paper, and clenched fist with two.

CATEGORIES OF TRADITIONAL GAMES IN THE PHILIPPINES

• Ordinary Games
• Jokes and Trickster Games
• Formula Games

ORDINARY GAMES
• Ordinary games are characterized by a formulized language
in the beginning and ending supernatural motifs, and
sympathy for the underdog or commoner. Ordinary games are
composed of three subdivisions: Physical games, Games of
dexterity or skill, and Mimetic or drama games.

1. a). Physical Games- these are games characterized by energetic

motor movements, bodily strength, and endurance meaning it
demands strong limbs, fleetness of foot, fortitude, and vitality
in addition to courage (tapang) and endurance (pagtitiis).
A good example of these type of game is Duels or games in
which two players engage in direct physical conflict with each
other, observing specific rules of encounter. These
are mostly body contact fights that test the physical fiber of
the combatants as well as their willingness and ability to
suffer pain. Example Kawit ng daliri or finger wrestling.
1. b) Games of Dexterity and Skill- in these games, a player
mobilizes his mental faculties in such a manner as to determine
the best response to a given situation and then executes that
response with mastered expertise. The player exercises complete
concentration and the body has to be in the top condition to
follow instructions monitored by the mind to execute precise
moves. Some games of dexterity and skill require intense
confrontation of minds as in-game.
Under this category are games that show skill in:
• Manipulating objects
• Hitting objects
• Throwing
• Climbing
• Balancing
For example Dama- where a player tries not only to defeat his
opponent but to dominate him.
1. c). Mimetic or Drama Games- A mimetic or drama game is one in
which the players pretend that they are other people, not
themselves, or they are animals’ inanimate objects. They are
either given traditional lines to say or some impromptu acts to
perform. Games of dramatization and mimicry seem to be a
property of girls and old women but when male players engage in
these games, the drama gets more involved, the rules of the game
more complicated, and acting rougher. Example is Bahay-bahayan

JOKES AND TRICKSTER GAMES

A game that consists of humorous stories characterized by
short simple plots.
These are games in which jokes or tricks are played by a
player or a group of players on one player, exposing the
individual to physical and mental indignity and discomfort in
front of the opponents. There is a good deal of rough humor in
these games. Jokes and trickster games are divided into three
groups:
1. Practical Jokes
- These games fall into two types: that in which the basis
for laughter is the victim action like a coin in the forehead;
and that in which it is his speech rather than his action
which leads to his being laughed at like tongue twister.

2. Games of Power Play- These games wherein a player taking the

“it” role utilizes his potential role and manipulates the
movements of the rest of the players with a minimum of skill
but a maximum of trickery.
 A good example of this game is the Ilong, Ilong, Bibig; This
game is played indoor or outdoor setting. The main objective of
this game is to follow the leader’s commands and not what he does.
Movements:
1. The leader touches his nose with a finger and says, “Ilong,
Ilong, Ilong” then his mouth “Bibig, Bibig, Bibig. The
players follow his command.
2. The leader suddenly puts his finger on his mouth and taps it
saying, “Ilong, Ilong, Ilong.” (Note: The leader continues to
repeat the words but quickly taps some other part of the face,
like in his eye, ear, cheek, etc.)The player caught imitating
the leader’s movements and not his command is eliminated from
the game.
3. The last player in the circle is the next leader.

3. Guessing Games- These are games in which speculation plays a

major role. The games fall under several groups:those in which
one player tries to guess the identity of another player.
Example Takip Silim
1. those which require the guesser to surmise which
hand is holding an object or objects. Example: Kaliwa o kanan.
2. to guess which finger or fingers of a player touched
the guesser. Example: Pitik Bulag
3. those which require the guesser to guess the number
of objects in another player’s closed fist. Example: Odd or
Even
4. Hiding and Hunting Objects- these are games in which a player
or team of players hide an object from another player or another
team, after which, the latter searches for that which is
hidden. This game is closely related to guessing games, the
only difference is that the players in hiding and hunting
objects do not speculate or guess where the hidden object is
but must actively hunt for it.Examples: Tagau-taguan and Taguan
ng Tsinelas.

5. Games of Chance- these are contests between a player or players

on one on side and an imaginary opponent called Luck or SUWERTE.
Included in this category are games that put absolute reliance
on mechanical equipment or props whose results are beyond any
human control. Example: Lucky Nine

FORMULA GAMES
A formula game is one in which the whole game is the sum-
total of all its parts, and each part is related to and derives
its ultimate significance from the entire whole. A formula game is
 governed by precise contingency rules. This category is divided
into the following subheads:

a. Cumulative Games- These are chain reaction games. The

succeeding movements always repeat the previous movements or
parts thereof, then adds a new part each time to arrive
gradually at the conclusion. Example: Luksong Tinik and Piko
b. Minor Formula games
1. Circular games- these are verbal forfeit games that require
each player to repeat traditional segment (a phrase,
sentence, or verse) of a story.
2. Games Avoiding Pronouns- These are games where the players
are made to recite traditional poems or verses, sometimes
lyrics or songs, and while doing so must omit all pronouns.
3. Verbal jousts- This game characterized by an extemporaneous
debate between two players or between groups of players on
a traditional subject.

Holistic Benefits of Philippine Traditional Indoor Games

• The researchers aim to prove that traditional Filipino games
could benefit every child who plays such traditional games in
the Philippines. Also, to introduce the traditional Filipino
games to the new generations up to the next generation.
• According to Barbosa (2003) Filipinos really love playing
games and this is observed true.
• Hazelton et al., n.d says that when children engage themselves
in traditional games, they become more flexible and
physically healthy because of the combination of exercises
they do with their body and they develop positive social
values and other aspects of culture through social learning.
• Prakash (2012) This kind of traditional games gives happiness
and provides good health; it also helps the children to
maintain emotional stability. And it keeps them fit and
healthy.
• Philippine traditional games helps children to retain their
playful attitude which contributes to open-mindedness,
creativity, and flexibility and problem-solving (Calixihan,
2010)

THINGS TO CONSIDER IN CONDUCTING THE GAME

• WARM-UP- Be sure to have warm-up activities before doing the
game in order to prepare your body from vigorous games. The
purpose of a warm-up is to prevent injury by increasing the
body’s core and muscle temperature.

• FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT- Check the facilities and equipment if

there are is in good condition for safety purposes. Many
 physical activities such as playing, require little special
equipment. For others, it is essential to have correct equipment
to prevent injury. Equipment for an activity may range from
general items of clothing to special protective suits or
apparatus in order to have a safe play.

• THE RULES- Set guidelines and rules for each game. If there are
modifications make sure to inform the participants prior to the
game. Rule is one of the important components in a game because
how can you play a game without rules to follow? So, rules must
be present in any type of game.