If you were to ask someone for a random sport, they would most likely say basketball, badminton, or any other western or European sport.
As of 2021, the most famous sports in the Philippines are basketball, boxing, billiards, volleyball, and football. According to a survey done by GineerNow to assess the popularity of basketball in the Philippines, 81% of those asked were fans of basketball, and the rest are mostly of the sports mentioned previously. These sports receive a lot of attention because they each have their famous athletes or leagues. For instance, boxing grew in popularity because of Manny Pacquiao. Basketball has the PBA, while volleyball has the PVL. The Magician Efren “Bata” Reyes made billiards a byword while football became popular because of the Azkals and Malditas.
Without a doubt, these sports are extremely enjoyable and have the ability to bring people together. Wherever the sport comes from or who it is played by, it can inspire competition and sportsmanship. However, there are local Filipino sports or games that aren’t appreciated enough.
Sikaran
Originating from the province of Rizal is sikaran, a martial arts game played mostly with one’s feet. Formerly called “Paninggara,” this sport has different variations depending on where you are playing. Some variations exclusively use only the wrestler’s feet, while others allow the occasional use of one’s hands. Though this is extremely similar to the traditional wrestling or boxing matches we know, sikaran has unique kicking methods such as the ”Biakid Kick” This signature move can be linked to a reverse roundhouse or a spinning hook.
Sepak Takraw
Before it was replaced by Arnis in 2009, sepak takraw was our country’s National Sport. This Malaysian sport can be described as volleyball without using one’s arms. Players participating in this game may only use their chest, feet, head, or knees to get a ball over the net. Traditionally, this would be a rattan ball, but synthetic balls are commonly used now. Considering this sport has been included in the Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games, it isn’t as well-known as expected.
Palo-sebo
Palo-sebo or palosébo is a traditional Filipino game most likely derived from the Visayan practice of racing to climb coconut trees or the Spanish Cucaña game. Coming from its name, this sport involves a greasy bamboo pole. The rules of the game are quite simple as players simply climb a greasy pole in a difficult race to the top. Though the sport is simple, participants need great strength in their core and grip to get up the pole. Events including palo-sebo are commonly amusing as spectators watch as the players struggle to get to the top only to lose their grip and slide down again.
Sungka
Originally called kunggit, sungka was first written by Father José Sanchez in his dictionary of Bisayan words. Though it isn’t as physical as the sports previously mentioned, sungka requires mental strength as it is a game of calculation played with seashells on a wooden board.
Played by two, the game advances as each player takes turns distributing seashells to each hole on the wooden board. The player's turn ends when they stop at a hole with no shells. The game ends when both sides of the board no longer have any shells. After which, players count how many shells they earned at their “head” or base. Though the game isn’t as intense or amusing to watch, players still equally enjoy it as their minds are challenged to think of a strategy as the board continually shifts.
Sikaran, sepak takraw, palo-sebo, and sungka are only a few of many traditional Filipino sports. There is a wide variety of these sports or games, ranging from self-defense to mental challenges, showing that there is much more to sports than just the usual games. The enjoyment we get from sports doesn’t have to come from the familiar games alone but also from those that aren’t celebrated as much.
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