Games Played by Group
Filipinos are naturally sociable in any manner and they always want a companion in whatever they do. Like in playing games, Filipinos want many playmates, they say that the more the merrier. In this section, you will see the different Traditional Filipino games played by group.
Agawang Sulok
(Get a Corner)
Number of Players: 5, 7, or 9
Where to play: outdoors or gymnasium
(Get a Corner)
Number of Players: 5, 7, or 9
Where to play: outdoors or gymnasium
A rectangular playground is marked off on the ground or floor. Diagram A is for five players, B for seven players, and C for nine players.
All the players but one (the tagger) stay in the corner and on the bases. The tagger stands in the middle of the ground. The players in the corners will try to exchange places by dashing across from place to place. The tagger must try to secure a corner or base by rushing to any when it is vacant.
In order to confuse the tagger, the players on the bases may leave their bases and suddenly rush back to them, as if stealing a base. Whenever the tagger secures a base, the odd player becomes the tagger for the next game.
This game is sometimes called "Vende, Vende Candela."
All the players but one (the tagger) stay in the corner and on the bases. The tagger stands in the middle of the ground. The players in the corners will try to exchange places by dashing across from place to place. The tagger must try to secure a corner or base by rushing to any when it is vacant.
In order to confuse the tagger, the players on the bases may leave their bases and suddenly rush back to them, as if stealing a base. Whenever the tagger secures a base, the odd player becomes the tagger for the next game.
This game is sometimes called "Vende, Vende Candela."
Araw-Lilim
(Day and Night)
Number of players: 10 to 20 or more players
Outdoors
This game is played wherever there is light and shade. It can be played on a sunny day or a moonlit night.
One player is the tagger. He tries to tag or touch any one of the players who is in the light. A runner saves himself from being tagged by staying in the shade. The one tagged becomes the tagger in the next game.
If many are playing, the game is made more interesting by having two or three taggers at the same time.
(Day and Night)
Number of players: 10 to 20 or more players
Outdoors
This game is played wherever there is light and shade. It can be played on a sunny day or a moonlit night.
One player is the tagger. He tries to tag or touch any one of the players who is in the light. A runner saves himself from being tagged by staying in the shade. The one tagged becomes the tagger in the next game.
If many are playing, the game is made more interesting by having two or three taggers at the same time.
Iring-Iring
(Drop the Handkerchief)
10 to 20 or more players
Outdoors or indoors
All players but one stand or sit in a circle. Everybody in the circle must look toward the center and must not turn to look back. The odd player walks around outside the circle formation with a handkerchief which he drops behind one of the circle players. He drops it in such a way that the circle player is unaware of it being dropped. The seated players may feel behind them to check whether or not the handkerchief was dropped, or they will watch the one walking around, noticing if he still has the handkerchief in his hand or not.
Once the circle player behind whom the handkerchief has been dropped becomes aware of the handkerchief, he quickly picks it up and, as a rapidly as possible, chases the one who dropped it. If the player who dropped the handkerchief is tagged before he reaches the vacant place left by the one chasing him, he must take the latter's place in the circle of players.
A player who does not discover that the handkerchief has been dropped behind him after one trip around the circle is chased by the dropper. He is struck with the handkerchief until he reaches his place. Then the same handkerchief-player drops the handkerchief in the next game.
(Drop the Handkerchief)
10 to 20 or more players
Outdoors or indoors
All players but one stand or sit in a circle. Everybody in the circle must look toward the center and must not turn to look back. The odd player walks around outside the circle formation with a handkerchief which he drops behind one of the circle players. He drops it in such a way that the circle player is unaware of it being dropped. The seated players may feel behind them to check whether or not the handkerchief was dropped, or they will watch the one walking around, noticing if he still has the handkerchief in his hand or not.
Once the circle player behind whom the handkerchief has been dropped becomes aware of the handkerchief, he quickly picks it up and, as a rapidly as possible, chases the one who dropped it. If the player who dropped the handkerchief is tagged before he reaches the vacant place left by the one chasing him, he must take the latter's place in the circle of players.
A player who does not discover that the handkerchief has been dropped behind him after one trip around the circle is chased by the dropper. He is struck with the handkerchief until he reaches his place. Then the same handkerchief-player drops the handkerchief in the next game.
Kapitang Bakod
(Fence Tag)
10 to 20 or more players
Outdoors
One player is chosen as the tagger. Other players run from place to place and save themselves from being tagged by holding on to a fence, a post, or any object made of wood or bamboo.
When the tagger touches or tags any one of the players who is not touching any bamboo or wood, the player tagged will be the next tagger. If 30 or more players are playing, it is advisable to have two or three taggers at the same time.
(Fence Tag)
10 to 20 or more players
Outdoors
One player is chosen as the tagger. Other players run from place to place and save themselves from being tagged by holding on to a fence, a post, or any object made of wood or bamboo.
When the tagger touches or tags any one of the players who is not touching any bamboo or wood, the player tagged will be the next tagger. If 30 or more players are playing, it is advisable to have two or three taggers at the same time.
Lawin at Sisiw
(Hawk and Chickens)
10 to 20 or more players
Outdoors, gymnasium
One player is chosen as the hawk and another as the mother hen. The rest of the players are chickens. The chickens are arranged one behind the other, holding each other's waists. The hen leads the chickens and goes around in search of food.
The hawk meets them and tries to buy a chick from the hen. The hawk asks the hen, "Will you let me buy one of your chickens?" The hen replies, "Yes, choose anyone you like."
(Hawk and Chickens)
10 to 20 or more players
Outdoors, gymnasium
One player is chosen as the hawk and another as the mother hen. The rest of the players are chickens. The chickens are arranged one behind the other, holding each other's waists. The hen leads the chickens and goes around in search of food.
The hawk meets them and tries to buy a chick from the hen. The hawk asks the hen, "Will you let me buy one of your chickens?" The hen replies, "Yes, choose anyone you like."
The hawk sits down and chooses a fat one. Finally, after bargaining for the price, he pays the hen and takes the chicken with him. He then takes the chicken off and asks her to find grains of rice for his dinner. When the hawk falls asleep, the chicken escapes and returns to the hen. When the hawk discovers that the chicken had escaped, he looks for her and chases her. The hen and the other chickens prevent the hawk from catching the chicken.
If the hawk succeeds in catching the chicken, he takes her again and punishes her by making her dig around for rice grains; if he fails, the game is started again, and he tries to buy another chicken.
If the hawk succeeds in catching the chicken, he takes her again and punishes her by making her dig around for rice grains; if he fails, the game is started again, and he tries to buy another chicken.
PUSA AT ASO
(Cat and Dog)
10 to 20 or more players
Indoors or outdoors
A large circle is marked on the ground or floor. At the center of the circle are sticks, slippers, and other objects which represent the "bones". One player is chosen as the aso ("dog") and stays inside the circle guarding the "bones". The other players, who are the pusa ("cats"), stay outside the circle. The goal of the "cats" is to take the "bone" from the "dog" without being tagged or touched by him. The "dog" may tag the "cats" with his feet or his hands, but he must remain seated by the "bones."
The "cats" may tease him by stepping in and out of the circle. While he is busy trying to tag some of the "cats", others attempt to steal the "bones". If the "cats" succeed in stealing the "bones" from the "dog" without being tagged, the same player remains as the "dog" in the next game. If he succeeds in tagging any one of the "cats", the one tagged becomes the "dog" of the next game.
(Cat and Dog)
10 to 20 or more players
Indoors or outdoors
A large circle is marked on the ground or floor. At the center of the circle are sticks, slippers, and other objects which represent the "bones". One player is chosen as the aso ("dog") and stays inside the circle guarding the "bones". The other players, who are the pusa ("cats"), stay outside the circle. The goal of the "cats" is to take the "bone" from the "dog" without being tagged or touched by him. The "dog" may tag the "cats" with his feet or his hands, but he must remain seated by the "bones."
The "cats" may tease him by stepping in and out of the circle. While he is busy trying to tag some of the "cats", others attempt to steal the "bones". If the "cats" succeed in stealing the "bones" from the "dog" without being tagged, the same player remains as the "dog" in the next game. If he succeeds in tagging any one of the "cats", the one tagged becomes the "dog" of the next game.
TAGUAN
(Hide and Seek)
2 to 20 or more players
Indoors or outdoors
One player is chosen as the it. He remains at a base determined by all the players. The other players then hide, and when securely hidden, they call out "It!". The it goes to search for them. Those who are hiding may repeat the call at their own discretion.
The game ends when all of the players are found. The player who is first found will be the new it (the searcher) in the next round.
(Hide and Seek)
2 to 20 or more players
Indoors or outdoors
One player is chosen as the it. He remains at a base determined by all the players. The other players then hide, and when securely hidden, they call out "It!". The it goes to search for them. Those who are hiding may repeat the call at their own discretion.
The game ends when all of the players are found. The player who is first found will be the new it (the searcher) in the next round.
TAKIP-SILIM
(Blind Man)
5 to 10 or more players
Playground, gymnasium
One player is blindfolded with a handkerchief or a piece of cloth. He is to be the it. He is made to turn three times before he is left alone. When all are ready, they call out "It!" or any other way to give some hints to the it to search for the rest of the players through their voices. When the it hears the call, he tries to catch any one of the players, who are not blindfolded and make noises or sometimes touch and tickle the it. They may keep silent, if they wish, in order to make him believe that they are far from him.
When he succeeds in catching or tagging any one of the players, he exchanges places with him. The one caught will be the it in the next game.
(Blind Man)
5 to 10 or more players
Playground, gymnasium
One player is blindfolded with a handkerchief or a piece of cloth. He is to be the it. He is made to turn three times before he is left alone. When all are ready, they call out "It!" or any other way to give some hints to the it to search for the rest of the players through their voices. When the it hears the call, he tries to catch any one of the players, who are not blindfolded and make noises or sometimes touch and tickle the it. They may keep silent, if they wish, in order to make him believe that they are far from him.
When he succeeds in catching or tagging any one of the players, he exchanges places with him. The one caught will be the it in the next game.
TAWANAN
(Laughing Game)
20 to 50 or more players
Outdoors or indoors
I. All the players are seated around in an irregular order. Before the game starts, all agree as to which side of a two-sided object (a coin for example) should allow them to laugh or stop laughing. The leader tosses up a coin, and, based on the agreement of the rest of the players, the players should either laugh or stop laughing when the object lands on the ground. This is an interesting game since the players start laughing, it would be very hard for many to suppress their laughter immediately if the coin lands on the side that the players are supposed to stop laughing.
II. The leader tosses up an object and makes it a requirement that all must laugh while the object is in the air and stop as soon as it falls on the floor. By varying the height of the throw, laughter may be long or short.
(Laughing Game)
20 to 50 or more players
Outdoors or indoors
I. All the players are seated around in an irregular order. Before the game starts, all agree as to which side of a two-sided object (a coin for example) should allow them to laugh or stop laughing. The leader tosses up a coin, and, based on the agreement of the rest of the players, the players should either laugh or stop laughing when the object lands on the ground. This is an interesting game since the players start laughing, it would be very hard for many to suppress their laughter immediately if the coin lands on the side that the players are supposed to stop laughing.
II. The leader tosses up an object and makes it a requirement that all must laugh while the object is in the air and stop as soon as it falls on the floor. By varying the height of the throw, laughter may be long or short.
VIOLA
(Straddle Jump)
2 to 10 or more players
Outdoors, gymnasium
One of the players is chosen as captain of the team, and another as taya (base player). The rest of the players are jumpers. Two parallel lines about five meters apart are marked off on the ground.
The base player stands one foot from the starting line on which a base is placed. He bends his trunk forward-downward and supports his body by putting his elbows on his thighs.
The captain straddle-jumps over the base player, and the rest of the players do the same, one by one. Whatever jump the captain takes, the rest will imitate. After each successful jump by all the players, the base player moves a pace farther from the base. Should a player fail to do what the captain did, or should he touch the base player with his feet while he is jumping, or should he fail to touch the base before he jumps, he becomes the new base player in the next game.
(Straddle Jump)
2 to 10 or more players
Outdoors, gymnasium
One of the players is chosen as captain of the team, and another as taya (base player). The rest of the players are jumpers. Two parallel lines about five meters apart are marked off on the ground.
The base player stands one foot from the starting line on which a base is placed. He bends his trunk forward-downward and supports his body by putting his elbows on his thighs.
The captain straddle-jumps over the base player, and the rest of the players do the same, one by one. Whatever jump the captain takes, the rest will imitate. After each successful jump by all the players, the base player moves a pace farther from the base. Should a player fail to do what the captain did, or should he touch the base player with his feet while he is jumping, or should he fail to touch the base before he jumps, he becomes the new base player in the next game.
UBUSANG LAHI
game of conquer
players: the more players, the better
indoor or outdoor
One tries to conquer the members of a group (as in claiming the members of another's clan). The tagged player from the main group automatically becomes an ally of the tagger. The more players, the better. The game will start with only one it and then try to find and tag other players. Once one player is tagged, he or she then will help the it to tag the other players until no other participant is left. Some people also know this a Bansai.
players: the more players, the better
indoor or outdoor
One tries to conquer the members of a group (as in claiming the members of another's clan). The tagged player from the main group automatically becomes an ally of the tagger. The more players, the better. The game will start with only one it and then try to find and tag other players. Once one player is tagged, he or she then will help the it to tag the other players until no other participant is left. Some people also know this a Bansai.