Sambunot

Another game of speed, and team work. All you need is a BUNOT and a wide playing area. Set some boundaries on the playing area. Composed of two teams, players will depend how big the playing area, ideal number of players is at 5 on each team. Placing the BUNOT in the center of the playing area, the goal of each team is to get the BUNOT and bring it to their home team area.

Looks easy right? but teams need to strategize in this game. Not all five players can grab that one BUNOT, other players of the team needs to prevent the other team from making a goal. Grabbing the BUNOT from the opposing team and passing it to your teammate can help get a score. You can also drag, lift the player holding the BUNOT to your home team area to make a goal. This game is really fun, be sure to be careful during the start of the game, grabbing the BUNOT with all 10 players is not a good idea, strategy is the key.

photo credit, niceheart

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Kaba-Kabayuhan

Kabayuhin Ang Kawayan
= Kaba-Kabayuhan

A Philippine game of speed, coordination, endurance and teamwork using kawayan (bamboo pole). It can be played with friends, relatives, co-workers etc. It can be played by two or more teams.

At the start, three players use their hands to hold the kawayan between their legs. The players run towards a goal and back to the starting line. Then, three new players take their place and repeat what was done by the first group. The first team to finish all players wins.

In a modified version of Kaba-Kabayuhan, the players accumulate. A new player joins after the first player gets back on the starting line. This continues until the all the players are on the kawayan. The first team to cross the finish line with all players wins.

Notes: A smooth kawayan is best to use to avoid splints. Enough space is also needed for players movement on the kawayan.

In the modified version of this Philippine game, it is also important to strategize the order of players.

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Philippine Games: Introduction

How I got introduced to Philippine Games.

One of the memorable things during my years studying in UP College of Human Kinetics was taking up Philippine Games Course under Ms. Kate Layug (Now Professor Layug). She introduced so many Philippine games. I was only aware of a few classic ones like patintero, sipa, habulan, piko, etc. I was surprised to discover that there were so many others. I was amazed how the Philippine games came about and how they were played.

One example was the game of Modified Cuarta sa Lobe. It was like playing rugby using a dried coconut (still intact):

The dried coconut used was with slits wherein the coins were securely planted. The number of coins depended on how many you like the teams to get. It was then placed in between the two opposing teams. As the game started, we rushed to the Lobe (dried coconut) and took out as much coins as we can, using our bare hands! The rules said we cannot throw or kick the lobe to our teammates; we can only hand it directly to them while dodging through the opponent's defense. The team with the most number of coins at the end of the given time won the game.

Based on my experience, I got scratches on my hands and knees hahahaha.

After I graduated from college, I had a stint teaching PE class to elementary girls in an exclusive school in Manila. It was the Linggo ng Wika and I was asked to provide Philippine games for the kids. Guess what I proposed for them to play: Modified Cuarta sa Lobe! I was laughing all throughout the game and the kids were really having fun.

I guess Philippine Games brings out the competitive spirit in one's self.

Notes about the game: The original Cuarta sa Lobe used knives to remove the coins. Also, just a reminder when playing, be careful when grabbing the husk at the start of the game. Sometimes you might bump your head with someone else's. Ouch!!

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