The Most Popular Filipino Street Game, Ranked

Choose the game you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 23, 2024 07:05
In the lively streets of the Philippines, street games are not just pastimes but a vibrant testament to cultural heritage and community spirit. These games, often played with nothing more than makeshift materials and a lot of enthusiasm, are an essential part of childhood and community bonding. However, as times change and new entertainment options arise, preserving these traditional games becomes increasingly important. By participating in the ranking of these beloved games, you help highlight their importance and ensure they are not forgotten. Each vote serves as a nod to tradition and a step towards keeping these games alive in the hearts and minds of the next generation. So join in, cast your vote, and see how your favorite stacks up against others!

What Is the Most Popular Filipino Street Game?

  1. 1
    44
    votes
    Patintero is a classic Filipino street game that is popular because it is easy to play and requires minimal equipment. It is a team game that involves tagging and defending specific areas of a grid.
    Patintero is a traditional Filipino street game often played by children in the Philippines. It is a game of tag that requires speed, agility, and teamwork. The game is played on a rectangular grid usually drawn on the ground, with parallel lines representing boundaries where players form teams on opposite sides.
    • Objective: To tag as many players from the opposing team without being tagged
    • Number of Players: At least 4 players, ideally divided into two teams with equal members
    • Playing Area: Rectangular grid with parallel lines drawn on the ground
    • Gameplay: One team takes turns in sending a player across the grid while the opposing team tries to tag them
    • Roles: Main groups include 'It' players who do the tagging and 'Runners' who try to cross the grid without getting tagged
  2. 2
    40
    votes
    Tumbang Preso is another popular Filipino street game that involves knocking over a can (or "preso") while avoiding being tagged by the "it" player. It is a simple yet thrilling game that can be played with just a can and a slipper.
    Tumbang Preso is a popular Filipino street game that involves knocking down a tin can using a slipper or flip-flop as the main tool. The game is commonly played in neighborhoods and schoolyards across the Philippines.
    • Number of Players: 2 or more
    • Objective: Knock down the tin can and avoid being tagged by the 'it' player
    • Equipment: One tin can, slipper or flip-flop
    • Gameplay: The 'it' player guards the tin can while other players take turns throwing their slippers to knock it down. If a player successfully knocks down the can, they can retrieve their slipper and try to hit other players before they reach the can. If a player gets tagged by the 'it' player, they become the new 'it' and the game continues.
    • Playing Area: Outdoor space such as a street or courtyard
  3. 3
    16
    votes
    Luksong Tinik is a game that requires agility and flexibility, Luksong Tinik involves jumping over bamboo sticks while avoiding getting hit by them. It is a fun and challenging game that is often played by young girls.
    Luksong Tinik is a popular Filipino street game that involves two teams and a jump rope. The game is played by a group of children, usually girls, who take turns jumping over two crisscrossed bamboo sticks, typically around ankle height. The goal of the game is for each player to successfully jump over the sticks without touching them, while progressively raising the height of the sticks to make it more challenging.
    • Number of Players: At least 4 players (2 teams)
    • Equipment: Two bamboo sticks and a jump rope
    • Objective: Jump over the crisscrossed sticks without touching them
    • Team Formation: Two teams take turns jumping
    • Stick Height: Starts at ankle height and can be increased progressively
  4. 4
    19
    votes
    Patay is a game that is similar to dodgeball, Patay involves throwing a ball at the other team's players to eliminate them. The last team standing wins the game. It is a fast-paced and exciting game that requires teamwork and strategy.
    Patay is a popular Filipino street game played with a small ball and a grid drawn on the ground. It is usually played by two teams, with players taking turns throwing the ball and hopping on the grid to complete a sequence of boxes.
    • Number of players: Usually played by two teams with an equal number of players on each team.
    • Equipment: A small ball and a grid drawn on the ground with a specific pattern.
    • Objective: To complete a sequence of boxes on the grid by throwing the ball and hopping on the grid.
    • Throwing the ball: The player throws the ball onto the grid aiming to land it in a specific box.
    • Hopping on the grid: After throwing the ball, the player hops on the grid while avoiding the box with the ball.
  5. 5
    16
    votes
    Piko is also known as hopscotch, Piko is a popular game that involves jumping over a series of squares or boxes drawn on the ground. It is a simple game that can be played by children of all ages.
    Piko is a popular Filipino street game that combines hopping and strategic thinking. It is played on a grid painted on the ground, typically using chalk or tape. The objective of the game is to successfully navigate through the grid without stepping on the lines, while also trying to tag opponents who are also hopping around. Piko requires agility, balance, and quick decision-making skills.
    • Number of players: 2 or more
    • Playing area: Grid painted on the ground
    • Grid size: Varies, commonly 1x9 or 2x11
    • Hopping technique: One foot or both feet in a hopscotch-like manner
    • Obstacles: Lines on the grid
  6. 6
    6
    votes
    Taguan is a game of hide and seek, Taguan is a popular Filipino street game that requires players to hide while the "it" player counts to a certain number. The "it" player then tries to find and tag the other players. It is a classic game that is enjoyed by children all over the country.
    Taguan is a popular Filipino street game that is played by children and adults alike. It is also known as 'hide and seek' in other parts of the world. The game involves one person, known as the 'it' or 'taya', who closes their eyes and counts while the other players hide. Once the counting is over, the 'it' person tries to find and tag the hidden players. The goal of the game is for the 'it' person to find all the players before they can reach the 'home base' or 'safe zone'. If a hidden player successfully reaches the safe zone without being tagged, they are usually declared the winner.
    • Number of players: 2 or more
    • Age group: All ages
    • Equipment: None (although some variations may use boundaries or safe zones)
    • Playing area: Outdoor spaces like streets, parks, or backyards
    • Objectives: For the 'it' person to find and tag the hidden players before they reach the safe zone
  7. 7
    14
    votes
    Sipa is a game that involves kicking a shuttlecock or "sipa" while keeping it in the air, Sipa is a popular game that requires skill and coordination. It is often played by young boys and is considered a traditional Filipino game.
    Sipa is a popular Filipino street game that involves kicking a small object, typically made of rattan, with the goal of keeping it in the air for as long as possible. The game is often played in open spaces and enjoyed by players of all ages.
    • Object: The object used in Sipa is usually made of rattan and has a round base attached to a bunch of feathers or thin strips.
    • Kicking Technique: Players kick the object with their feet, attempting to keep it off the ground by performing various kicking techniques.
    • Number of Players: Sipa can be played individually or in teams of two or more players.
    • Playing Area: The game is usually played in open spaces like streets, parks, or fields.
    • Scoring: There is no specific scoring system in Sipa. The objective is to keep the object in the air for as long as possible without it touching the ground.
  8. 8
    10
    votes
    Holen is a game that involves shooting marbles or "holen" into a hole or circle, Holen is a popular game that can be played by children of all ages. It is a simple yet challenging game that requires accuracy and skill.
    Holen is a popular Filipino street game that involves shooting and knocking down marbles. Players take turns shooting their marbles at a target marble called the 'pitsel' in order to knock it out of a drawn circle. The objective is to accurately shoot the marbles and remove the opponent's marbles from the circle.
    • Players: 2 or more
    • Playing Area: Open ground or pavement
    • Equipment: Marbles
    • Target: Pitsel (a larger marble) placed inside a drawn circle
    • Shooting Technique: Flicking the marble with the thumb or index finger
  9. 9
    5
    votes
    Tatsing is a game that involves throwing a small stone or "tatsing" into a series of boxes drawn on the ground, Tatsing is a popular Filipino street game that is often played by young girls. It is a simple game that requires hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
    Tatsing is a traditional Filipino street game that requires accuracy and hand-eye coordination. It is played using small metal or wooden tops called 'tatsing.' The objective of the game is to spin the tatsing and keep it spinning on a chosen target area for as long as possible.
    • Number of Players: Multiplayer (2 or more)
    • Playing Surface: Flat ground
    • Equipment: Metal or wooden tops ('tatsing')
    • Starting Method: By flicking the top with the fingers
    • Scoring: Based on the duration the tatsing remains spinning on the target area
  10. 10
    14
    votes
    Tagu-taguan is a game that is similar to Taguan, Tagu-taguan involves hiding while the "it" player tries to find and tag the other players. However, in Tagu-taguan, the players are allowed to move around and change hiding spots while the "it" player's eyes are closed. It is a fun and challenging game that requires stealth and strategy.
    Tagu-taguan is a popular Filipino street game often played by children. It is a form of hide and seek, where one player is chosen as 'It' and closes their eyes while counting to a predetermined number. The other players scatter and hide, trying to find the best hiding spot. Once the 'It' player finishes counting, they start searching for the hidden players. The goal of the game is for the 'It' player to find and tag as many hidden players as possible, while the hidden players aim to stay hidden for as long as they can.
    • Number of players: 2 or more players
    • Play area: Outdoor space, typically a neighborhood or a backyard
    • Age range: Primarily played by children, but can be enjoyed by all ages
    • Duration: Varies depending on the number of players and the agreed rules, typically 10-30 minutes
    • Equipment needed: None, although players may use objects in the environment for hiding

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Ranking factors for popular game

  1. Number of players
    The game should be accessible to a larger number of players, making it more inclusive and appealing.
  2. Cultural significance
    The game should have cultural importance within the Filipino community and be a popular pastime enjoyed by people of all ages.
  3. Level of physical activity
    The game should involve a certain amount of physical activity to help promote exercise and healthy competition.
  4. Rules and gameplay
    The game should have simple, easy-to-understand rules that allow for quick gameplay and make it easy for new players to join in.
  5. Availability of equipment
    The game should not require expensive or hard-to-find equipment, making it accessible for players from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
  6. Versatility
    The game should be adaptable to various playing spaces, such as streets, parks, or even indoor areas.
  7. Social interaction
    The game should promote social interaction and camaraderie among players, helping to build strong community ties.
  8. Skill development
    The game should help develop players' cognitive, physical, and social skills.
  9. Popularity
    The game's popularity should be considered, including the number of people playing the game and its prevalence in discussions and online content.
  10. Timelessness
    The game's ability to endure and remain popular over time, regardless of changing trends and advancements in technology.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Filipino street game. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or game is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1998 views
  • 187 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each game once every 24 hours. The rank of each game is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular filipino street game

Filipino street games have been a staple of childhood for generations, providing hours of entertainment and socializing for kids of all ages. These games are often simple, requiring only basic equipment and a group of friends to play. Some of the most popular street games in the Philippines include patintero, tumbang preso, luksong tinik, and Chinese garter. Each game has its own unique rules and challenges, but all are beloved by Filipinos young and old. Whether played on the streets or in the backyard, these games are a testament to the Filipino spirit of fun, creativity, and community.

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