n the advent and proliferation of modern technology, younger generations nowadays tend to forget the games we used to play during my childhood days under the sultry heat of the afternoon summer sun. Nowadays it’s easy to see children huddling up over a family computer playing Hangaroo, Plants Vs. Zombies or even the viral Angry Birds but ,you know ,try to go around your neighborhood you won’t probably see a single child playing outdoors and frolicking under the sun.
Children just sit in front of their computers all day long doing nothing but clicking the mouse. Unlike the games of yesterday that you will really get to stretch your muscles and bones.
Now let’s take a trip back to memory lane and celebrate our native childhood games. Here are my top 5 favorite Laro ng Lahi:
#1 Patintero- is a game usually played during night time, wherein you draw 5 parallel lines and perpendicular line using water on earth. Each group should have 5 members. Each member of the group who is it stands on the water lines and the members of the other group will try to cross the lines without being tagged. The perpendicular line in the middle allows the it,to move in the middle of the lines, thus increasing the chances of the runners to be trapped. Even if only one (1) member of a group is tagged the whole group will be the "it". The main goal is you have to cross all lines without getting tagged.
#2 Tumbang Preso- is a game usually played on a vacant lot or a backyard near your house. The game revolves around the “taya”, someone who takes the role of a-player-at-stake and holds the responsibility of the Lata (tin can), and; the others as the players striking. The game is performed by having the players a “pamato” (which is ones own slipper) used for striking the tin that is held beside the taya. You have to strike the can by using your “pamato”, then you have to fetch your pamato without you being tagged by “taya”. Breaking rules to the players give way for the taya to have his overturn, like: stepping on or outside the boundary line when throwing; kicking the tin; striking the tin without having oneself reaching the line; or even touching it.
#3 Luksong Tinik- is a game which literally means jump over the thorns. Two players serve as the base of the tinik (thorn) by putting their right or left feet together (soles touching gradually building the tinik). A starting point is set by all the players, giving enough runways for the players to achieve a higher jump, so as not to hit the tinik. Players of the other team start jumping over the tinik, followed by the other team members. As the game goes on the tinik becomes higher.
#4 Piko- is the Philippine variation of the game hopscotch. The players stand behind the edge of a box, and each should throw their cue ball. The first to play is determined depending on the players' agreement (e.g. nearest to the moon, wings or chest). Whoever succeeds in throwing the cue ball nearest to the place that they have agreed upon will play first. The next nearest is second, and so on.
#5 Taguan- hide and seek in America. What is unique in Tagu-Taguan compared to its counterpart, hide and seek, is that this game is usually played at sunset or at night as a challenge for the it to locate those who are hiding under the caves in laguna cavite which is a popular site for pro taguan players.
Credits
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_games_in_the_Philippines
PHOTO CREDITS
