Mga Palarong Pilipino: Laro Ng Lahi

The Larong Pinoy program is an advocacy of Magna Kultura.  Larong Pinoy is a cultural heritage composed of the Traditional Filipino Street Games that are well loved by generations of Filipinos.  Magna Kutura Foundation is dedicated to the advocacy of reviving Larong Pinoy in the mainstream of Philippine Society. Larong Pinoy is close to the hearts of Filipinos, encompassing generations, from grandparents, to parents, youth & toddlers. It is the games of our heritage (Laro ng Lahi).

Magna Kultura is promoting the games in Barangays, Schools, and even among private companies.  Sports Clinics and tournaments are held in schools and Barangays; and local comapnies are using the games as platform for company team building activity.



There are over forty (40) traditional Filipino games played in the Philippines. (ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_games_in_the_Philippines#Reference).
 Among the games, the popular ones are Patintero, Tumbang Preso, Siyato, Sipa, Piko, Turumpo, Chinese Garter, Luksong Tinik, Luksong Baka.

Amidst the modern age of high tech and computer gadgets, these games are still very much alive and played in the Philippines.  The Filipino games are inexpensive to play, with less materials; and it promotes physical activity.


It is not true that the Filipino Street Games are no longer played, as some would say that it has vanished in Philippine society. In many urban and rural areas, a great majority of Filipino children still play outdoor street games as most of them are still unable to own expensive high-tech gadgets. Games like Patintero, Tumbang Preso, Piko, Sipa, Turumpo, and many others, are very much alive and played daily in the neighborhood.

It's actually a socio-economic perception --- a social "gap". It's sad to think that people who say that the games are gone actually don't go to the places where there are kids who play the game.  It's understandable.  The upper, middle and the lower class citizens don't mingle & play together, see each other, and have different types of games and toys.

Citizens in the upper bracket of society (who's parents have the capacity to buy computers and high-tech gadgets) seldom go out to play in the streets. They don't join the neighborhood kids; what they have are "virtual" internet peers.

The Games are very much alive. It still is, and always will be, a "Cultural Treasure".  Visit the Palarong Pilipino site at Multiply: http://larongpilipino.multiply.com. Check out the photos of the Larong Pinoy Sports Clinics organized by Magna Kultura Foundation in the country. It's a great way to Instill Patriotism among the new generation, while reviving the Games of our heritage back in the mainstream Philippine society.


They are labelled "Traditional" games because they are passed on from one generation to another.  Most of the games started at the turn of the 20th century.  These are the games of our forefathers (mga ninuno).  As such, it is called Heritage Games ("Laro ng Lahi").

Children who play the games learn to love things that are Filipino.  Even adults who once played the games feel proud that they once played it, ergo, being part of the heritage.

The traditional Filipino games promotes the Filipino spirit in a fun way.  By and large, it is part of the Filipino culture.  It is a cultural treasure that every Filipino should cherish, and continue to pass on the new generation, and to their children's children.


We believe in shaping today's youth, because they will be the citizens who will manage our society.
Let's bring fun in instilling Filipino Pride among the new generation. The future of our country begins today.
Tomorrow, they will join play in different leagues in our society, and they will join the “team” called Filipinos.



"Philippine Games" are the games of our heritage ("Laro ng Lahi" in Filipino).  Most of the games are popular street games played by neighborhood children growing up together.  It is passed on from one generation to another.  As such, it is called "traditional" Filipino games.

The traditional Filipino games promotes the Filipino spirit in a fun way.  By and large, it is part of the Filipino culture.  It is a cultural treasure that every Filipino should cherish, and continue to pass on the new generation, and to their children's children.

Filipinos can be proud to have their very own games.  The Filipino games are as competitive as international games played in the Olympic arena.


DICKIE AGUADO, Executive Director
Magna Kultura Foundation
Email: kulturapilipinas@gmail.com