Larong Pinoy

A few decades ago, kids used to gather in the streets or in the neighborhood playground to play their favorite Larong Pinoy. It is an important part of growing up; it also teaches camaraderie and sportsmanship. Some games are physically challenging, some are intellectually stimulating. Traditional Filipino street games are commonly played using native materials but since there is a limited resource of toys, Filipino children usually come up on inventing games without the need of anything but the players themselves.

With the increasing popularity of western sports activities like basketball and volleyball and the emergence of high tech gadgets, children playing traditional street games gradually reduced. If only we could revive it and maintain it, children of today can reap the benefits of playing these games - a positive influence on our physical, mental and emotional well being.

According to Magna Kultura Foundation, Larong Pinoy fosters appreciation of national culture especially the new generation. Through play, children can experience the Filipino spirit and in fun way, it instills patriotism.

The following are popular Filipino Games we used to play growing up:

1. Chinese Garter – two people hold both ends of a stretched garter while the other attempt to cross over it. The goal is to cross without having tripped on the garter

2. Sipa

3. Luksong Tinik, Luksong Lubid, Luksong Baka

4. Jack en Poy





5. Tumbang Preso  

6. Taguan

7. Patintero

8. Sawsaw Suka – the “it” has his palm open while the other players touch this with their index fingers singing “sawsaw suka, mahuli taya”. The”it” tries to catch any player’s finger at the end of the song; the caught one becomes the new “it”

9.  Pitik Bulag 

10. Teks or texted game cards

11. Bahay-bahayan – a role playing game where children act as members of an imaginary family. They act various household situations such as dinner, going to mass and the like

12. Agawan Base
13. Piko

14. Langit Lupa

15. Hand Clapping Games-it involves 4 people, split into pairs and does the hand clapping routine while singing Bahay Kubo or Leron-Leron Sinta