Journal of Nature Studies 17(1): 41-55

ISSN: 1655-3179

LOCAL GAMES IN MAONON, LIGAO CITY, BICOL PENINSULA:

SYMBOLISM OF COMMUNITY IDENTITY

Perla Y. Bejerano1*, Merites M. Buot2,3

1
UP Rural High School, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines,
Los Baños, Philippines
2
Department of Human Kinetics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the
Philippines, Los Baños, Philippines
3
Faculty of Education, University of the Philippines Open University, Laguna,
Philippines
*Corresponding author: pdyuson@up.edu.ph

ABSTRACT – One of the indicators of well-established local practices is the

continuity of its local games. Playing local games as recreation can lead to
enhancement of each contribution towards sustainability of local culture and
awareness of ecological goods and services. However, with the current technologies
that surround everybody, there is a probability of local practices to be left out. This
present study sought to 1) determine the local games currently played in Maonon; 2)
describe the nature of the local games, and 3) identify the cultural values portrayed
in these games. Fifty-six (56) key informants were interviewed in Bikol, a local
dialect. Photo and video documentation were taken along the beach, in the school
grounds, and on the streets. Secondary data were also collated for analysis. There
were twenty-six (26) local games identified, and iloy-iloy was the most popular
game among the informants. The materials of the games were readily available in
the natural environment and creatively done by young children. Games were either
played on land or at sea. There were games classified as ordinary, whereas some
games made use of formula and few included sea animals as part of the game.
Distinct cultural values such as resourcefulness, determination, and cooperation
were displayed while playing the local games. Indeed, local games emphasize the
local identity of a place and highlighted some of the local values which concerned
the benefits derived from its natural setting.

Keywords: Cultural values, Place identity, Traditional games, Senior Citizen

INTRODUCTION

The culture of a country is evidently shown through songs, dances and games. The Philippines
is culturally rich in this context (Buot, 2008) as demonstrated through our local festivals and local games.
Awareness about local games improves the contribution of each member of the community to value and
maintain the resources within our physical and sociocultural environment as well. Since awareness of the
ecological goods and services as the benefits derived from the natural environment, community members
especially the youth will place higher value of an ecologically balanced locale. Playing local games as
pastime and recreation can lead to enhancement of each contribution towards sustainability of local
culture within the natural setting. In addition, Philippine games can also be an avenue for physical fitness,

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To cite this paper: Bejerano P.Y. & Buot, M.M. 2018. Local Games in Maonon, Ligao City, Bicol
Peninsula: Symbolism of Community Identity. Journal of Nature Studies. 17(1): 41-55.
Journal of Nature Studies 17(1)
Bejerano & Buot

enjoyment, and good health at almost no additional cost (Tubera, 2008). It also serves as a vehicle to
understand the past of the people in order to appreciate the current practices (Calixihan, 2010). It was
further mentioned that it was a chance for old people to once again experience their youth, while young
people see it as a way to utilize their energy and build up social interaction within their age group.

However, local games are slowly disappearing due to the undeniable popularity and
dominance of video games and electronic sports (Tubera, 2008). These local games which formed part of
cultural heritage and serve as socio-cultural markers are widely considered ‘dying cultural legacies’
(Linaza, et.al, 2014). Despite this reality, some localities in the country were able to continually practice
these local games throughout history and consider these games as part of their tradition. Currently some
local games are integrated in the physical education (P.E.) activities in all levels from elementary to
university education. These games formed part of the major components of the Physical Education
curriculum through the efforts of Bureau of Physical Education and School Sports (BPESS) in 1984
(Wilhelmsen, 2012). These efforts supported the provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution
mandating the State to conserve, promote, and popularize the nation's historical and cultural heritage and
resources to be passed to future generations of Filipinos.

Local games played in the various localities in the country can be the threads that mesh
learning situations into the fabric of life (Mackenbach, 2014). These interconnection of games with real
life situations becomes the true definition of holistic learning as noted by Price et al. (2014). The local
games of the Philippines remain relevant in the lives of Filipinos since they provide the opportunity to
learn, appreciate, and experience our own culture. A subtle and fun way of instilling Filipino spirit among
the youth through these traditional games. The present study sought to 1) determine the local games
currently played in Maonon, Ligao City; 2) describe the nature of the local games, and 3) identify the
cultural values portrayed in these games.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was conducted in Maonon, Ligao City, a coastal barangay in West Coast Albay
(Figure 1). It is Ligao City's largest barangay with a land area of 2,493.57 hectares, occupying 10.12% of
the city's total land area.

Figure 1. Maonon, Ligao City, the study site.

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Local Games in Maonon Ligao City, Bicol Peninsula: Symbolism of Community
Identity

Fifty-six (56) senior citizens were included as key informants from the barangay. The
interviews were done using Bikol dialect. Photo and video documentation were taken to corroborate with
the actual observation, while children were playing along the beach, the school grounds and on the
streets. Secondary data were also collated for the analysis.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Local Games of Maonon, Ligao City

The senior of the community possessed stock knowledge on the traditional practices of the
locality. Maonon, Ligao City had several willing individuals who took part in the interview. Among the
fifty-six respondents, thirty-seven (37) were females and 19 were males (Table 1.a). The average age of
the respondents was sixty-eight (68) years old. Almost all were married, although 19% already lost their
spouses (Table 1.c). These informants were all residents of the barangay since birth. The informants
identified twenty-six (26) games, which they had either played or only had head knowledge about;
nevertheless, they all understood the mechanics of the games (Table 2).

Table 1. The sociodemographic status of the Maonon, Ligao City informants.

Male Female Total

Factor
f % F % f %

a. Gender 19 33.90% 37 66.10% 56 100%

b. Age

60-65 8 42.10% 14 37.80% 22 39%

66-70 7 36.80% 9 24.30% 16 29%

71-75 2 10.50% 6 16.20% 8 14%

76-80 2 10.50% 5 13.50% 7 13%

81-85 0 0 2 5.40% 2 3%

86-90 0 0 1 2.70% 1 2%

c. Marital status

Single 0 0 2 5.40% 2 4%

Married 17 89.50% 18 48.70% 35 62%

Widow/er 2 10.50% 17 45.90% 19 34%

Among the local games, iloy-iloy was highly identified by the informants (Table 2). Eighty
nine (89%) percent mentioned that they had played the said local game. This was followed by
burukudan/pararyaan/tarayaan with 66% of the informants saying “yes”, meaning they knew of and had
played it in the past. Bingkay was the third highest in the number of informants saying “yes” (63%),
though interestingly only females had played it.

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Table 2. List of games identified by the informants.

RESPONSE

GAMES MALE FEMALE TOTAL

f % f % f %

Bingkay 0 35 94.6 35 62.5

Burukudan/pararyaan/tarayaan 16 84.2 21 56.8 37 66.1

Burusuan bato 7 36.8 2 5.4 9 16.1

Durudamulag 4 21.1 0 0 4 7.1

Embarguan 2 10.5 13 35.1 15 26.8

Guruyudan Purupababa 3 15.8 1 2.7 4 7.1

Guruyudan sa dawn bunga 1 5.3 1 2.7 2 3.6

Iloy-iloy 18 94.7 32 86.5 50 89.3

Kurukariton 1 5.3 0 0 1 1.8

Luksong lubid sa dalayday 0 0 20 54.1 20 35.7

Ontog 6 31.6 0 0 6 10.7

Orig-orig 2 10.5 13 35.1 15 26.8

Paltok 17 89.5 1 2.7 18 32.1

Pararyaan kalasakas 8 42.1 2 5.4 10 17.9

Pararyaan noyog sa dagat 5 26.3 1 2.7 6 10.7

Pararyaan plantsa sa dagat 6 31.6 2 5.4 8 14.3

Parayaan umang 8 42.1 2 5.4 10 17.9

Paytik 11 57.9 2 5.4 13 23.2

Pikot bado 0 0 29 78.4 29 51.8

Pungan sa kasco 4 21.1 4 10.8 8 14.3

Ralaban kalakakas 8 42.1 2 5.4 10 17.9

Siklot 0 0 31 83.8 31 55.4

Step no (kiki) 0 0 22 59.5 22 39.3

Suruluan 1 5.3 1 2.7 2 3.6

Tatsian buscay 11 57.9 10 27 21 37.5

Tatsian piso 13 68.4 7 18.9 20 35.7

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Local Games in Maonon Ligao City, Bicol Peninsula: Symbolism of Community
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Iloy-iloy and burukudan are games that involve running and tugging and do not need any
materials when played. The games can be played individually or by pair and it requires speed in order to
win. Bingkay, on the other hand, requires high flexibility in order to bring the “pamato” (head) on its
target. The material of bingkay evolves from coconut shell, to wooden slipper and to rubber slipper in the
present time. The best example of a game that displays torso flexibility is bingkay (Figure 2). Bingkay is
a game that may be played either individually or by group, and it has (13) thirteen levels or sequence. It
requires the player to balance a pair of slippers, wooden shoes, or “abab” coconut shell on the different
parts of the body and to reach a designated goal by using “kiki” or other methods such as hopping with
one leg or jumping with both. The player must not drop the “pamato”, change feet, or take a rest while
going to the target pair of slippers. This game was not enjoyed by the men, who found the flexibility
aspect of it to be quite difficult while women found it enjoyable, due to women being more flexible than
men (Buot, 2011; Hoge. et al., 2010).

Kurukariton (Fig 3) was the least known by the respondents (1.8%) (Table 2). It is a racing
game that makes use of kariton made from bamboo and wooden wheels. The kariton was used by the
children to fletch a pail of water from the well or deep well. It can be played individually or by pair.
When played by pair, one player hangs on the cart just like the pail hanging from the kariton when
fletching water and the other member pushes it. It requires speed and leg power to be able to arrive first
at the designated goal and win the game.

Figure 2. The flexibility needed in bingkay as one hits the target.

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Figure 3. Kurukariton played by pair.

Nature of Local Games

The games are played individually or by groups regardless of gender and ages. The materials
and the venue of the games were categorized into land-based and sea-based (Table 3). Generally, a
pattern was seen in the names of the local games. Most of the time, the games were named after
equipment and common movements used to accomplish the goal of the game. All of the informants were
uncertain about the origin of the games and there was no document available in the barangay library.
Although the oldest among the informants was 90 years old confirmed that the games identified were
played since they were young (Table 1). Oral tradition was clearly evident in the barangay and positively
substantiated by the informants.

Table 3. Classification of the local games based on the composition of players, materials used and the
playing areas.

Player
Materials Playing Areas
Composition
LOCAL GAMES
Pair/ Individual
Land Sea Land Sea
group Based Based Based Based

Bingkay ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Burukudan/Parar-yaan/Tarayaan ✓ ✓ ✓

Burusuan bato ✓ ✓ ✓

Durudamulag ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

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Table 3 (Continued). Classification of the local games based on the composition of players, materials
used and the playing areas.

Player Composition Materials Playing Areas

LOCAL GAMES
Pair/ Land Sea Land Sea
Individual
group Based Based Based Based

Embarguan ✓ ✓ ✓

Guruyudan Pababa ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Guruyudan sa dawn bunga ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Iloy-iloy ✓ ✓

Kurukariton ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Luksong lubid sa dalayday ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Ontog ✓ ✓ ✓

Orig-orig ✓ ✓ ✓

Paltok ✓ ✓ ✓

Pararyaan kalasakas ✓ ✓ ✓

Pararyaan noyog sa dagat ✓ ✓ ✓

Pararyaan plantsa sa dagat ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Pararyaan umang ✓ ✓ ✓

Paytik ✓ ✓ ✓

Pikot bado ✓ ✓ ✓

Pungan sa kasco ✓ ✓ ✓

Ralaban Kalasakas ✓ ✓ ✓

Siklot ✓ ✓ ✓

Step no (kiki) ✓ ✓ ✓

Suruluan ✓ ✓

Tatsian buscay ✓ ✓ ✓

Tatsian piso ✓ ✓ ✓

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Majority (93%) of the games can be played individually (Table 3). Both orig-orig and paltok
are group games. In orig-orig, the team resembles a hen with several chicks. It is hide and seek game
between two groups of children sitting parallel to each other. Upon the starting signal, the “mother” or
leader will hide a piece of stone on one of his teammate. While doing this, each member is prohibited to
look at other team. When the stone was securely hidden, the leader of the other group will search the
members of the other team. The goal is to be able to guess whom the stone is hidden. If the guess of the
leader is right, the leader will jump as farther as he/she can and his member will follow. While paltok is
like a gang war, with a small piece of bamboo containing bakawan buds, young papaya fruits, or wet
paper pellets as the weapon (Figure 4). The aim of the game is to hit the opponent with the pellets. The
game/battle ends when one group surrenders. Among the 26 games, eight or 31% can either be played
individually or in groups (Table 3).

Barangay Maonon is one of the coastal barangays in Ligao City where agriculture and fisheries
are the main sources of living. It can be inferred from the interview conducted that for practical reasons,
parents were not willing to spend even a cent to buy commercially available toys even if they had money.
Perhaps, the absence of toys encouraged the children to be more creative and innovative by using the
indigenous and locally available materials to create their toys out of bamboo, coconut frond, vines, dried
fruit, or tree branches.

More than half (57%) of the games used materials taken from the farms and other resources in
the land (Figure 5) while 43% of the games had materials taken from the sea (Figure 6) (Table 3). These
local practices prove that indeed the barangay has adapted well to the natural resources that abound in the
locality. While they have the farm, the barangay has also the seas.

Figure 4. The weapon used in paltok made from bamboo.

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Local Games in Maonon Ligao City, Bicol Peninsula: Symbolism of Community
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Figure 5. Materials from the land like the vine used in luksong lubid (jump
rope).

Only four (4) of the games were played in the sea like: burusuan bato, pararyaan plantsa sa
dagat, pararyaan niyog sa dagat and pungan sa kasco (Table 3). Burusuan bato is a game where players
try to collect or retrieve as many stones from the sea as possible. The game starts after one player throws
stones in the water and when the go-signal starts, the players will swim from the shore, dive to the area
where the stones are thrown and collect as many stones as they can. The player who collects the highest
number of stones will be the winner of the game. Time is essential to the game. Meanwhile, pararyaan
niyog sa dagat, is a race game played using a pair of empty coconut husks tied to each other to race in the
sea (Figure 7). The game starts along the seashore. The player places the pair of empty coconut husks
between his chest and stomach, using it as a floating device. One has to propel himself using his hands
and legs towards the designated goal. The player who arrives first will be declared as the winner.

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Figure 6. Materials from the sea like the empty shells in tatsian buscay.

Figure 7. Position of the empty coconut husks in pararyaan noyog sa dagat.

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Piriyungan sa casco is a hide and seek game where a “taya” or seeker tries to catch other
players who are on the other side of the boat by diving underneath it (Figure 8). The playing area is
divided into two sides by the boat or “casco”. The seeker stays on one side while the rest of the players
are positioned on the opposite side of the boat. The goal of the seeker is to catch the player on the other
side.

Figure 8. The boat as the obstacle in the hide and seek game piriyungan sa casco.

Table 4. Classification of the games based on its taxonomy.

Jokes and Sea-Animals

Local Games Trickster Formula Game Participating in
Game Man’s Games

Iloy-iloy ✓ ✓

Orig-orig ✓

Pararyaan kalasakas ✓

Pararyaan umang ✓

Paytik ✓

Pikot bado ✓

Pungan sa kasco ✓

Ralaban Kalasakas ✓

Siklot ✓

Step no (kiki) ✓

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Table 4 shows the game classification according to the taxonomy of the game, either as a game
for jokers and tricksters, or a game that uses formula and allows the participation of sea animals (Art and
Bush 1959). Games that included practical jokes, games of chance, hiding and hunting games, and
guessing games were under the jokes and trickster category. Iloy-iloy, orig-orig, paytik, and pungan sa
casco were jokes and trickster games (Table 4, column 2).

Formula games were pikot bado, siklot and kiki (Table 4). These games involve a step-by-step
process in chronological order to attain the goal of the game. Pararyaan kalasakas, pararyaan umang,
and ralaban kalasakas were games that allowed sea creatures as participants of the game (Table 4, Figure
9). Who wins or loses among the human players is determined by the performance of sea snails (Lopez,
2001).

Figure 9. The kalasakas (crab) used in the pararyaan kalasakas.

Common playtime was after lunch or in the late afternoon (after class). During the preparation
phase in a game, the general goal and rules of the game are clarified, discussed, and agreed upon first by
the players. Determining a step-by-step process or sequential pattern of how to play the game was
essential for the game to progress. Preparations for the games would vary depending on the game’s
requirement and the players’ preference. It can be inferred that the games do not follow exact rules.
Every time a game is played, there can be little or no modification at all in the rules.

Cultural Values Displayed in the Games

There were three (3) main values acquired and developed in the games that were identified
through the type of collaboration among players and how the games were played. The identified values
were the following: resourcefulness, determination, and cooperation. The resourcefulness of the children

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was evident in the different materials used in the games. Almost all materials used in the local games
could be found in the barangay. They are usually made from indigenous materials by the children or by
their parents. In the game of bingkay, the materials used evolved from coconut shells to bakya. At
present, the children use their slippers. The children also collected snails and kalasakas (crab) to be used
as props for racing games. The children displayed their creativity in using boats as their obstacles for
their hide-and-seek game of pungan sa casco (Fig. 9).

From the interviews conducted, it can also be inferred that the children’s resourcefulness
stemmed from the fact that parents do not choose to spend money on commercially available toys due to
practical reasons. Local games paved the way for skill acquisition in maintaining a holistic attitude
toward life for everyone (Wanderi, 2005), and it is only through promoting our local games that we can
expect more young people to reap the benefits, as emphasized by Wanderi (2005). Games enhanced the
acquisition and practice of skills required for the gradual growth to adult life (Horlings, 2015, Nyota and
Mapara, 2008). As claimed further by Montecalbo-Ignacio et al. (2017), engaging in sports for the
duration of time had an effect on a player’s cognitive process. Cooperation was strongly observed in
individual, pair, and group games where the players discussed and agreed on the rules on how to conduct
the game depending on the situation they were at. In pair and group games, players collaborated well by
dividing the tasks among themselves, and strategized together to win the game. Scott et al. (2016)
discussed the developed well-being as a result when everyone was involved in the task.

CONCLUSION

The local games of Maonon, Ligao City were identified through interviews and actual
observations. The interview revealed twenty-six (26) games as identified by the 56 senior respondents.
The nature of these games was defined according to the players, the materials, and the playing area (land-
based or sea- based). Some of the games were found to be gender-based. There were games that were
relatively more favourable for women and some that were for men, all due to body types, limitations and
the ability to perform some tasks of the game that were complicated like bingkay which required high
flexibility.

The materials of the games were also categorized into land-based and sea-based, depending on
the location from where the player can gather materials. Furthermore, the games were classified
according to its taxonomy as ordinary game, jokes & trickster game, formula game, and animals’
participation in a man's game. Lastly, cultural values were distinctly seen in these games such as
resourcefulness, determination, and cooperation.

These findings will provide more insight on how policy makers within the local academe
should look at our local games as an avenue for character formation and nation building. At an early age,
the cultural values acquired through the local games can help children know more about themselves and
the community they live in. The local leaders of the community (like political leaders and, more
especially, representatives of local schools) must promote and encourage the young generation to play the
games inherent in their locality thereby improving the value placed on an ecologically balanced locality.

STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP

The first author conceptualized the study, identified key informants and gathered data.
Together with the second author, data were analyzed and discussions were theoretically enhanced.

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JOURNAL OF NATURE STUDIES

(formerly Nature’s Bulletin)
ISSN: 1655-3179
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