Traditional Games of the Philippines
Written by Celeste Halliwell in partnership with Mira Ello
Traditional games that continue to be played in the Philippines include Patinero, Sipa, and Sungka, all of which have been practiced for many generations. The Filipinos understand how playing traditional games with the community develops many skills, beginning in childhood, which fosters social interactions and instills a pride in their cultural heritage and identity [2,3, 4,5].
Patintero or Hawak-Buhay
“Patintero or Hawak-Buhay, is a classic street game that uses a large space” [1,7]. The Filipino’s recognize Patinero as a game that emphasizes teamwork as players navigate designated lines while avoiding tags. “This game fosters camaraderie and communication among participants” [2].
Culturally, Patintero is deeply rooted in Philippine customs of weaving traditions as these games were often played on intricately woven mats displaying the skill and artistry of Filipino weavers [2].
“Participants are divided into teams. One team defends their spaces marked by tape. The goal is for the first three teams of players pass the defenders without getting tagged on the way to the end and get back to home without getting tagged” [1].
“Those who get tagged are out of the game. The remaining players on the team then take a turn to get through and back” [1].
“Players may try to use distractions to pass defenders. There is a defending team for the entire marked space. Defenders can use the entire marked space to try to tag their opponents. Once a player has reached a square without getting tagged, they are safe and try to move to the next square” [1].
Building Brains: Engaging in games that promote physical endurance with updating strategies as in Patintero requires physical endurance combined with cognitive executive functions of organization, planning, and monitoring of actions among team players as well as opponents. Patintero is a game of strategy of preventing getting tagged as well as defending areas of the court from opponents gaining access toward the goal. These skills develop motor (physical) and cognitive endurance that have been found to strengthen language areas of the brain as children mature into adolescence and adulthood [6].
References
Ello, M. In discussion, December 2024. Filipino Community Christmas Party.
Retrieved online December, 2024 from: Traditional Filipino Games: Sungka, Patintero, Sipa - Keeping Culture Alive - Pinas Culture.
Retrieved online January 2025 from: Traditional Filipino Games and Toys: A Cultural Heritage.
Balay-as, C.I.C., Pelila, J.R.O., & Busbus, S.O. (2023). Boosts and setbacks of implementing Filipino games: Perspectives from curriculum’s stakeholders. International Journal of Physical Education, Fitness and Sports, 12(3): 48-58.
Belano, R. F. G., & Perez, R. D. (2024) Insights, Challenges, and Strategies of Teachers in the Integration of Traditional Filipino Games in Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health Instruction, TECHNIUM SOC. SCI. J. ,54:126-146.
Houwen, S., Visser, L., van der Putten, A., & Vlaskamp, C. (2016). The interrelationships between motor, cognitive, and language development in children with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 53-54: 19–31.
Retrieved online January 2025 from: https://www.philippinature.net/traditional-games-in-the-philippines/.