Laro ng lahi

The concept of” Laro ng Lahi”

Laro ng lahi refers to the traditional or native sports of the Filipinos. They are part of heritage.
The Filipinos, even before the Spaniards came to the Philippines were very active in sports and games.

The first “Palaro ng Lahi” was held in Laoag, Ilocos Norte on February 10, 1984, sponsored by the
provincial government in cooperation with the DECS. The inclusion of some of our native games in the
physical Education curriculum had been approved particularly in the secondary schools.
Today’s laro ng Lahi is recommended as one of the best lead-up games and activities for students
from graders to college level. It is also a way of teaching our students to patronize indigenous games that
were popularized by our natives. It also promotes fitness and competition. Playing the games in Palaro ng
Lahi helps students develop health and fitness programs like vigor, flexibility, agility and endurance. It also
enhances student’s social relationship with others. It develops group qualities like cooperation, team work
and coordination.

Three types of” Laro ng Lahi”

• Single/individual games
Individual games are games which are played by single participants or relay team to inject
and add competition in the class.

• Dual games
Dual games are set of activities done by two more than players

• Group games
Group games are set of activities which require more than four (4) members of the team.
They are usually practiced in class as their supplemental activities or lead up games.

Likewise, games for all occasions are games that is play on occasion particularly on feasts
or special events in localities.

Things to consider in conducting the game

• Warm-up - be sure to have warm-up activities before doing the game in order to stretch
and win-up.
• Facilities and equipment – check the facilities and equipment if in good condition for
safety purposes.
• The rules – set guidelines and rules for each game. If there are modifications make sure
to inform the participants prior to the game.
• Occasional games – for group or occasional games, gather your members and brief them
and give them pointers to remember.
Ways in choosing the “It”

• Bunutan or lottery – the common type of choosing the “it” is lottery or bunutan. Players
can chooce number, straw, paper or other materials in guessing who is the “it”.
• Tihaya o taob or toss coin – toss coin can determine the “it”.
• Jack and poy or bato-bato pick – this is a finger-flashing method of selecting “it” using
hand in signaling, the fingers, closed fist stone (bato), open palm as paper, and clenched
fist with two fingers as scissors.

Kadang – kadang
(bamboo stilt race)

This is a recreational game known throughout the islands of the Philippines. In some places,
coconut shells with a rope tied through the center are used; others use cans with a hole in the center and
a rope tied through the hole.
As a challenge, bamboo poles are made substitutes for this game. The object of the game is to
reach the finish line at the shortest possible time.

Leg power, balance and coordination are the skills that will be developed in this game.

The playing area must be open and free from obstruction. The starting line is about 100 meters away from
the finish line.

Materials
Two bamboo poles about 5 to 6 feet long or about one foot longer than the height of the player.
A platform of about 6 to 8 inches long is attached about one and a half feet the lower end of the pole.

Procedure
Two to four teams may compete in this game. Each team is composed of four players. Players
stand behind the starting line. At the sound of the whistle, the front players step up on the stilts and walk
up as fast as possible to the finish line. The player who finishes the race without falling is declared the
winner. The player who fails once or twice is the loser.
 Dinoron
(pushing with bamboo)

Teamwork, cooperation, patience and self-discipline are the values that can be enhanced in this
game. It will develop skills like arm strength, balance and coordination. The fitness components that can
be developed are muscular strength and endurance, flexibility and balance.

The object of the game is to pull the bamboo. The team that first crosses the center mark loses
the game. This should be played outdoors or in a gymnasium.

Materials
A bamboo(kawayan) piece, 15 feet in length and 3 to 4 inches in diameter, a marker (stone, leaf
or plastic cord)

Players
8 or more players as long as participants can hold the bamboo.

Movements
• Players in single line formation will grasp the bamboo pole on the signal “GO”
• Players will try to pull or push the other teams with the bamboo.
• Players must hold on to the bamboo; feet should be kept in balance and firm on the
ground.

Rules
• Players will start to hold the bamboo at the command of umpire.
• Bamboo must be measured; at the start the bamboo must be in neutral corner before the
start of the signal.
• Players can shout or do other rituals before pulling the bamboo to intensify force of the
team.
• The game can be repeated as many times as the players want it.
 Palo Sebo

The game was originated in Central Luzon. Tuba gathering is one of the common activities of the
folks in places where there are many coconut trees. Tuba gatherers are expert climbers. Palo Sebo is a
game derived from this activity.

The object of the game is to climb to the top of the bamboo pole.

The skills to be developed are leg power, arm strength, coordination and strength of the back
muscles.

The playing area should be a wide-open space where poles made of bamboo about 10 meters
long can be put securely.

Materials
Bamboo poles of 10 meters long erected with a small bag of money or prize at the top of each
one. The pole is greased from top to bottom.

Pityaw
 Pityaw is a Visayan term given to this game that uses using a small bamboo stick being hit by
another longer bamboo stick so that it flies up in the air. Among the Tagalog, it is known as Bati-cobra.

Accuracy in hitting and arm strength are skills that will be developed in this game. The object of
the game is to hit the smaller bamboo stick as far as possible in order to earn as many points up to 1200
or more. A point is earned for every length the smaller stick covers from the place it drops to the base.

A level playground where a small hole of about 5 inches long and 2 inches deep is made.

Materials
One bamboo stick 60.95 cm. long and another bamboo stick 15.24 cm. long

Procedure
Pityaw is played by two or more participants. The game starts as the player tries to hit the small
bamboo placed in the base (hole) on the ground. The player who hits the farthest is the first player of the
game.

The first player stands on the base as he hits the small bamboo out of the base. The rest of the
group stands away opposite the hitter, ready to catch the small bamboo being hit. Whoever catches the
flying stick becomes the hitter. If no one catches the stick, the hitter hit the stick again.

If the smaller stick drops to the ground, any player can pick it up and the hitter places the longer
stick. If he hits it, then he becomes the hitter. If not, the first player continues to be the hitter. He makes
points by measuring the distance between the point where the smaller stick fell in the base. The game
ends when one player ears 100 points or more. He then is declared the winner.
 Culliot
(rope pulling)

One of the famous games played in barrios and provinces is the culliot or the rope pulling. Elders
in the provinces consider the game as their favorite activity and pastime after taking a time-out from their
work. Others play the game during fiesta. It is one of the favorite dual competitions of men to test their
physical strength, teamwork, strategies and presence in the game.

Culliot is played for dual as well as team competition. It is similar to the ever popular “tug of war”.
The difference is that the rope is tied around the waist of the players.

The object of the game is to pull the rope that is wrapped around the waist of the player to get
him off the circle.

Players
2 boys

Movements
• At signal or whistle from the referee or official, each player will pull the rope that is
wrapped around their waist.
• Player must grasp the rope and maintain a balance stance to pull the rope and get a much-
needed force.

Ground preparation
Draw circles, each three feet in diameter or more depending on the number of participants are
drawn around 6 feet apart.

Formation
Each player stands in the middle of the circle facing each other. The two ends of the rope are tied
separately around the waist of the players.

Tatsing
 The word tatsing is derived from the English word “touching”. This is the favorite of younsters
especially the boys. The object of the game is to hit the pamato the several pieces of bottle caps so that
they get out of the square. It develops accuracy and coordination.

The playing area may be a plain, level ground where the square of about 2 feet by 2 feet is drawn.

Materials
Several bottle caps and a bigger flat object called pamato

Procedure
• Several bottle caps are place inside the square which is about 6 to 8 feet away from the
starting line.
• The first player steps on the starting line and hits the bottle caps out of the square by
throwing the pamato.
• Every cap that gets out of the square becomes the property of the thrower.
• He continues to throw as long as there are caps going out of the square.
• If he misses and no bottle caps get out of the square, he then gives in the next player.

Prepared by:

Rosabel G. Sayson
PE Faculty