Written by Danielle David Castillo
Illustations by Mary Anne Caharop and Genelyn Forcadas
We’ve seen it in the streets, stadiums, and TVs--- Filipinos have an undeniable enthusiasm towards games or Sports in general. As children, we grew up with playing as a part of our everyday life and little by little, we diverted our interest in pursuing sports that relate to the games we usually play. Although Filipinos usually have a greater appeal towards international sports --- Basketball, Badminton, or Volleyball to name a few --- we have a few sports born in our homeland that people also practice.
PELOTA
Everyone knows Tennis. What people don’t know as well is Pelota, a sport that is somehow similar to Tennis. Imagine playing tennis without a net and a wall is something you’d have to utilize to pass the ball to the opposing team. It is played with a ball using one's hand, a racket, a wooden bat or a basket (some would use a Tennis racket), against a wall. Pelota is considered a National Sport in countries such as France and Spain. Only a few people, usually older people, play the game for leisure.
DUMOG
The Philippines adopted its style of wrestling called “Dumog”. Commonly played in some parts of Visayas and Mindanao, players use the standing upright style of wrestling that uses grappling techniques of Filipino martial arts. Like most wrestling games, the goal is to force the opponents onto the ground to win.
SIKARAN
This martial arts sport has been around since the 16th century in Rizal, Philippines. The said sport involves hand and mostly foot fighting. Sikaran is a term for kicking which is also used as the name of the kicking aspects of other Filipino Martial arts. The sport only allows the player to use their legs 90% of the time while the hands are only used for the remaining percent for blocking or parrying blows.
ARNIS
Perhaps this sport rings a bell for you. With it being the so-called “National Sport” of the Philippines, Arnis is a weapon-based form of combat used for fighting since 1610. It also emphasizes weapon-based fighting with sticks, knives, bladed weapons, and various improvised weapons, as well as "open hand" or techniques without weapons. With all the sports mentioned in this article, this would be commonly known especially with the country’s efforts to introduce it in Physical Education subjects.
COCKFIGHTING
Also known as “Sabong”, Cockfighting has been around the country for so long. Some may find it weird to discover that it is a serious game; it has been a national obsession. This blood sport occurs between two cocks, or gamecocks, held in a ring called a cockpit. The combatants are conditioned for increased stamina and strength. Weird as it may sound, Sabong isn’t just a mere form of entertainment. The sport is very much considered
as a significant culture to the Pinoys.
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