Legal Bases of Philippine Traditional Games and Sports
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 1813
Introduced by Senator Manny Villar
EXPLANATORY NOTE
One sad truth is that not many of our young people how that sipa is the Philippines' national
sport. In fact, it is even disheartening to note that even grown-ups and our national athletes are
confused and unfamiliar that sipa is the country's national sport. And sipa, along with other traditional
games and sports are considered dying cultural legacies due to the advent of electronics, the introduction
of the games of the new information highway and the intrusion of western sports.
Filipino traditional games and sports have originated from different cultures, some of which
have pre-Hispanic origin and are very unique in terms of how are they are played. The Filipinos are
known as sports-loving people, creative in every aspects of life and these traditional games are as
testament to our passion for play. We are proud to have games from our ascendants that were
developed and handed down from generation to generation. However, these priceless ancestral heritage
that included sungka, dama, and patintero, have become less popular with the young people. Ironically,
some of the traditional Filipino games such as sipa, yoyo and arnis have been adopted by other countries
as their own and the fact that they originated from this country has been obliterated into oblivion.
These games should remain relevant as they provide the people the opportunity to learn,
appreciate and experience aspects of their own culture. Also, they provide essential training in social
interaction and help develop camaraderie, sportsmanship and honesty. Hence, encouraging their
preservation will mean understanding our cultural values.
Consistent with 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 preserve them for
future generations of Filipinos and ensure continuity of Filipino identity and cultural belonging ness, it is
imperative that the study of traditional games and sports be made part and parcel of physical education
courses in all levels of educational institutions, both public and private.
The timing for the passage of this bill could never be more an opportune season when
asserting that distinct Filipino identity is a collective sentiment of our people.
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session
SENATE Bill No. 1813
Introduced by Senator Manny Villar
AN ACT TO INCLUDE TRADITIONAL GAMES AND SPORTS IN THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION (P.E.)
COURSES IN ALL LEVELS OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND SPORT ACTIVITIES OF THE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title.- This Act shall be known as the" Traditional Games and Sports Act of 2010".
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to foster patriotism,
nationalism and sportsmanship by giving priority to sports program that shall revive, promote and
enhance the country's traditional games and sports. Towards this end, the State shall endeavor to
preserve and promote our cultural heritage and national identity among the people, especially the youth,
by including traditional games and sports in the Physical Education (P.E.) courses in all levels of
educational institutions.
SEC. 3. Traditional Games and Sports. - The traditional games and sports shall include the following:
agawang sulok, araw-lilim, arnis, aso at pusa, bulong pari, bunong braso, dama, garter, hulaan, holen,
iring-iring, istatwa, jack-en-poy, jackstone, kapit-bakod, laglag panyo, lawin at sisiw, luksong baka,
luksong lubid, luksong tinik, palo sebo, patintero, piko, pitik-bulag, saranggolahan, sipa, siklot, siksik
bulak, sungka, suot lungga, taguan, takip-silirn, tatsing, tumbang preso, turumpo, viola, yoyo and such
other traditional games played in the various localities in the country.
SEC.. 4. Inclusion of Traditional Games and Sports in the Physical Education (P.E.) Courses. -
The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) are hereby
directed to include the aforesaid 1 traditional games in the Physical Education course in all levels of
educational institutions, both private and public.
SEC. 5. Traditional Games and Sports for School-Based Competitions. - The OepEd and the
CHEO shall jointly determine which among the aforementioned traditional games and sports shall be
included in all school-based competitions.
SEC. 6. Local Government Units and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and Private
Sectors Participation in the Revival and Promotion of Traditional Games and Sports. - The
local government units in partnership with the non-government organizations (NGOs) and the private
sector shall undertake sports activities throughout the country through sports competitions participated in
by the residents in their respective localities for the revival and promotion of traditional games and
sports.
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules. Within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd and
the CHED shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this
Act.
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and
effect.
SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree, executive order, or issuance, rules and
regulations inconsistent with this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 10. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its complete publication
in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session
House Bill No. 7103
Introduced by KABATAAN Party-list Representative Raymond V. Palatino
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates the State to conserve, promote and protect the nation's rich
historical and cultural heritage. An oft neglected but fundamental component of this heritage are
traditional games and sports, which are widely considered “dying cultural legacies” owing to the
undeniable popularity and dominance, especially among the youth, of video games and electronic sports,
as well as of Western sports.
Yet Philippine traditional games and sports, like luksong tinik, patintero, sipa and the recently declared
National Sport, Arnis have a lot to boast in terms of creativity, recreation, ingenuity, athletic training and
social interaction. They are reflective of Philippine cultural values and develop traits such as camaraderie,
sportsmanship and personal and team integrity. Collectively, these games and sports constitute a
heritage Filipinos should be proud of and, as such, Congress should act to promote and protect, most
especially among the youth.
This bill therefore seeks to mandate the inclusion of the study and practice of Philippine traditional games
and sports in all Physical Education (P.E.) courses of educational institutions, at all levels, both private
and public. It also encourages various sports competitions organized by local government units, non-
goverment organizations and the private sector to follow the same. In the name of promoting the oft
neglected but fundamental component of Filipino heritage that is tradional games and sports, the swift
passage of this bill is most earnestly sought.
Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session
House Bill No. 7103
Introduced by KABATAAN Party-list Representative Raymond V. Palatino
AN ACT
MANDATING THE INCLUSION OF PHILIPPINE TRADITIONAL GAMES AND SPORTS IN THE
PHYSICAL EDUCATION (P.E.) COURSES IN ALL LEVELS OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as “Philippine Traditional Games and Sports Act of
2009.”
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to foster patriotism,
nationalism and sportsmanship by giving due priority to sports programs that shall revive, promote and
enhance the country's traditional games and sports.
SECTION 3. Objectives. – The objectives of the Philippine Traditional Games Act of 2009 are to preserve
and promote Philippine cultural heritage and national identity among the people, most especially the
youth, by mandating the inclusion of traditional games and sports in the Physical Education (P.E.) courses
in all levels of educational institutions and sports activities, such as but not limited to sports festivals or
palaro and intramurals, of local government units. Furthermore, the Act shall encourage all non-
government and civil society organizations to follow the same for their sports activities.
SECTION 4. Philippine Traditional Games and Sports. – For purposes of this Act, Philippine traditional
games and sports shall include the following: agawang sulok, araw-lilim, arnis, aso at pusa, bulong pari,
bunong braso, dama, garter, hulaan, holen, iring-iring, istatwa, jack en poy, jackstone, kapit bakod,
laglalg panyo, lawin at sisiw, luksong baja, luksong lubid, luksong tinik, palo sebo, patintero, piko, pitik
bulag, saranggolahan, sipa, sikloy, siksik bulak, sungka, suot lungga, taguan, takip-silim, tatsing,
tumbang preso, turumpa, viola, yoyo and other such traditional games played in various villages and
localities in the country.
SECTION 5. Inclusion of Philippine Traditional Games and Sports in the Phyiscal Education (P.E.)
Courses. – The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) are
hereby directed to mandate the inclusion the aforesaid Philippine Traditional Games and sports in the P.E.
courses in all educational institutions, at all levels, both private and public. They shall separately
determine which traditional games and sports shall be included in all P.E. Courses and school-based
competitions.
SECTION 6. Local Government Units and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and Private Sector
Participation in the Revival and Promotion of Traditional Games and Sports. – The local government units,
NGOs and the private sector shall undertake sports activities throughout the country through sports
competitions and the like participated in by the residents in their respective localities for the revival and
promotion of traditional games and sports.
SECTION 7. Implementating Rules and Regulations. – The DepEd and CHED shall promulgate and issue
the necessary implementing rules and regulations within thirty (30) days after the effectivity of this Act.
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or unconstitutional, the
remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter of
instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with, the provision of this
Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.
SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Games Preservation Act of 2017
Voting unanimously with 206 votes and without abstention, the House of Representatives
approved on third and final reading House Bill 8626 or the proposed “Philippine Indigenous
Games Preservation Act of 2017” which seeks to preserve indigenous games for future
generations of Filipinos to enjoy.
The bill, principally authored by Rep. Salvador Belaro (Party-list, 1-Ang Edukasyon) declares that the
State, as enshrined in the Constitution, shall recognize, respect, and protect the rights of indigenous
cultural communities (ICCs) within the framework of national unity and development.
“The bill seeks to preserve indigenous games to ensure that future generations of Filipinos can still enjoy
them.”
The State shall take the necessary steps to preserve the indigenous peoples’ games which serve as the
best avenue for self-expression and promoting peace, harmony, goodwill and camaraderie among them.
Furthermore, it states that Article 31.1 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples (IPs) enjoins all state signatories to take effective measures to recognize and protect the exercise
of the indigenous peoples’ rights which include the maintenance, control, and development of their
cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and traditional expression, oral tradition, literature, designs,
sports and traditional games, among others.
In line with this, the bill seeks to mandate the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), in
coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), to initiate measures to preserve indigenous
games in the country, including 1) their inclusion in the appropriate part of the curriculum in the basic
education system of the schools; 2) the preservation of such games either by documentary or other
useful means; and 3) the holding of regular demonstration of such games in national events and
appropriate school activities.
Likewise, the NCCA shall conduct research on the various sports traditionally played by different
indigenous groups within the region to ensure the preservation and development of these games.
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), in coordination with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC),
and the local government units (LGUs), shall conduct annual regional and national indigenous sports
competitions.
The host LGU shall have the prerogative to choose which sports events shall be included in the regional
and national indigenous sports competitions.
As the lead agencies, the NCCA and the DepEd, in coordination with the PSC, POC and LGUs, shall
promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of the Act 60 days after its effectivity.
Belaro said the country is rich in cultural tradition which tends to be slowly modified by the onslaught of
digital modernization.
“Part of our rich cultural heritage are indigenous games such as sepak takraw and the like,” said the
legislator.
“Part of our rich cultural heritage are indigenous games such as sepak takraw and the like.”
