Childhood years are the happiest period in
people’s life. These are the times when one’s physical stamina, playfulness,
enthusiasm, and curiosity are at their peak.
For many Filipinos, street games seem to
have been a “regular” part of their childhood—and synonymous with it, if I may
add. In fact, young Pinoys come to learn and play different street games even
long before learning their ABCs.
Of all, 90’s kids seem to have enjoyed playing
street games more than anyone else from other batches. This is because they were
able to inherit some outdoor games from their predecessors (but made “twists” onto
them). Further, 90’s kids got the chance to play modern street games as
innovation came along before a new decade unfolded.
What is special about 90’s kids is that
they were the last ones to play and fully enjoy traditional Pinoy outdoor games
shortly before the arrival of addictive online and mobile games!
Let’s look back at the time when 90’s kids had
worry-free and unstressed lives.
Youthful Times
Below are a few of the most famous street
games from the 90’s, along with their descriptions and instructions to play
them:
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| Photo credit: devcomcreatives.wordpress.com |
Langit-Lupa – Every young kid loves to run—run around
and away from their game rivals. Hence, “langit-lupa” was a hit among 90’s
children. The game starts with a designated player citing a chant: Langit,
lupa, impyerno, im-im-impyerno; Saksak puso, tulo ang dugo; Patay, buhay, alis
ka na dito. Each syllable points to someone in the group, eliminating the one
who gets the last syllable. The rhyme repeats until there were two left—one
will be safe and the one who doesn’t get the last syllable will become
“taya”—the one who will chase other players and tag one of them who will then
replace him as taya. Players who are at higher places or elevated ground (“langit”
or heaven) are safe and cannot be touched. The first player standing on the
ground (lupa or earth) and gets caught (touched) will become the new “taya.” The
game repeats until everyone gets tired or their parents call (shout at) them.
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| Photo credit: ph.theasianparent.com |
Taguan (Hide-and-seek) – Determining the
“taya” or “it” varies across the country; but the most common during the time
was “maiba taya”—a series of flipping players’ hands (pompyang)—with their
palms facing either up or down. The player who displays the odd hand will be
the “it” (searcher). The “it” will then face the wall or tree while citing
“tagu-taguan maliwanag ang buwan, pagkabilang kong sampu nakatago na kayo” then
count until ten. Other players will then hide. The player who is first found
will be the next “it.” The game’s rules differ depending on what has been
discussed in advance but will surely end when all the players are found.
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| Photo credit: flickr.com |
Patintero (or Tubigan) – A game for at
least six players (always even number), with each team having equal number of
players. The game is played on a wide area where the surface can be marked with
chalk or water and drawn with a big rectangle (divided into equal parts). The
game starts with “jack-en-poy” (rock-paper-scissors) with two leaders choosing
their team players and deciding which team will play first as runners. Losing
team will step on the line (as “patotot” and “pulis”) and should tag any of the
opponents. All of the members from the winning team should get through all the
lines without being tagged to win. The first player who will finish crossing
all the lines back and forth should declare “Tubig”—a signal that the team has
just earned a point. Note: Rules vary
across the country.
Other Famous Street
Games
- Moro-moro (or
agawan base)
- Piko
- Tumbang preso
- Syato (or
siyatong)
- Tantsing (or
tatsi)
- Chinese garter
- Ten-Twenty
- Dr. Quack
Quack
- Hulugang Panyo
(or laglag panyo)
- Luksong tinik
- Luksong baka
- Open the
basket
- Pasahang bola
Which of these street games from the 90’s
do you missed the most? Which ones left you unforgettable memories? Share your
thoughts in the comments section.
