PATINTERO
Patintero, also known as harangang-taga or tubigan, is a traditional Filipino children's game. Along with
tumbang preso, it is one of the most popular outdoor games played by children in the Philippines.
It is also known as harangang-taga or harang-taga (lit. "block and catch"), referring to the game
mechanics.
RULES
“TWO groups play the game. Each side has five members: four guards and a captain. The game is played
on the court. The objective of the game is for one group to walk or run through the court from one to the
other and return without being caught by the defending group who keep guard the line of the court. Each
individual player is taken out of the game when caught attempting to cross the lines of the court. The
game goes on until the last player is eliminated. If any one player succeeds in coming back without being
caught, all players are redeemed to play again.” – Patintero (Games Played By Native Children in the
Philippines, UUPCC.org)
BATONG BATA
Historical background
“Dodgeball Originated in Africa”
There is a lot of evidence that a game similar to dodgeball was played in Africa more than 200 years ago.
It wasn't a fun, or even entertaining game. As a matter of fact, it was played with rocks instead of rubber
balls, and was used to develop the strength and endurance of warriors.
RULES
To play Batuhang Bola or dodgeball, you must first gather 2 teams and get a ball. The 1st team should
stand in the middle of the court, while the 2nd team should be divided into two and should stand at both
sides of the 1st team. The 2nd team should hit the players of the 1st team. If you hit a player, that player is
out. If that player catches the ball, his team will gain a “life” and can be used to revive another player or
be used to continue to play on if the ball hits him/her. You will win the game if you have hit all the
players and none of the players are left
LUKSONG BAKA
Luksong baka (English: Jump over the Cow) is a traditional Filipino game that originated from Bulacan.
It involves a minimum of 3 players and a maximum of 10 players and involves them jumping over the
person called the baka, the main goal of the players is to successfully jump over the baka without
touching or falling over the baka.
No equipment is required in playing luksong baka, except for these three skills:
Mobility, or the player’s ability to move easily and freely. The more agile the player is, the higher he can
push himself up.
Stability – it’s the player’s ability to keep his body parts steady, especially on his waist.
Strength – once the player is stable, he can jump as high as possible without hitting the baka
These skills are a player’s “POWER”, enabling him to successfully jump over even at the highest level of
the game.
And now, here is how Luksong Baka is played:
In choosing the first “baka”, all players must place a hand over another (palms down), and at the count of
three, they release their hands simultaneously, either showing palms up or down. The player who displays
a different position of the hand from the rest should be the first baka or “it”.
The baka then assumes his position at a designated “jump over” spot. On the first level, he takes a
crouching position and the rest of the players jump over him – one after another. When all the players
have jumped over, the baka raises his position a bit higher for the next level. He repeats this process until
he reaches the standing position or until a jumper errs.
The jumpers must spread their legs wide apart to avoid hitting the baka when they jump.
The jumper who hits the baka will take the place of the baka, and the baka now becomes a jumper.
When the level goes higher, the jumper may use his hands for balance by putting them together over the
baka. (Eslit N., 2019)
LUKSONG TINIK
Luksong Tinik, “jumping over thorns” in English, is a group game of two teams. Each team,
composed of an equal number of players, chooses a nanay (mother), while the rest of the
teammates are called anak (children). The objective of the game is for all players to be able to
jump over the height of the hands placed one on top of the other without touching them. The two
mothers are expected to be high jumpers. The first to jump is decided by the mothers, who would
toss a slipper. The mother whose team wins the toss will have the first jump. The other team
serves as the tayâ (on base) and forms the tinik (thorns) with their feet and hands.
Two players on the base sit facing each other, putting a foot forward and touching the other
player’s foot. Then, each member of the other team starts jumping over the feet. When all
members have jumped over, the players on the base add a hand, with palm and fingers open,
above their feet, then another, and so on until all the base players have piled their hands over.
When all the jumpers have successfully jumped over without hitting the hands of the base
players with any part of their body, or with their clothing, the game is repeated with the jumpers
leaping over again. If the mother’s children hit the hands of the base players, it’s considered a
“fault” (an error), and the mother has to jump for the erring child. But if the mother fails, it’s
time for the base players to take the jump.
Luksong Tinik originated in Cabanatuan City, in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines.
In Myanmar, there’s also a game similar to Luksong Tinik, which they call Hpan Khone. This
game is played mostly by girls, although sometimes boys would join in.
