Good day, everyone! I wish you a peaceful and pleasant day, as well as better health.
When I was in grade school, my classmates and I would use up half an hour before our afternoon classes playing Traditional Games like sipa (coconut leaves rather than rattan made into a ball), bending (using a pair of slippers), and jumping this pine, but the most popular among us was shatung, shatong, shatu, or syatong (stick game).
Here I will share with you my famous Filipino Traditional Game, which was passed down to us by our forefathers. I don't have my images with me, but I can show you an example from the website.
We played "SHATUNG" under the star apple or macopa tree (public schools in the countryside have vast grounds where fruit trees have been planted) to avoid the sweltering sun, and of course, we won't stink because we still have an afternoon class.
If you reside in an urban setting, you can enjoy this modified version of the game: SHATUNG, SHATONG, SHATU, or SYATONG (just like the photos above).
Shatong/Shato/Syato/Shatung (whatever) - A Stick Game
The stick game requires two players, one flat stick or a pine (usually 3"), and one short flat piece of wood (typically a piece cut from the flat stick; 4" in length).
Player A is the batter, and Player B is the catcher. Outside on the ground, you dig a small square hole (slanted) and place the small wood so that it stands out.
Player A strikes the wood with the stick until it gains enough air resistance to be struck by the stick.
You receive more points (often measured by the number of stick lengths) the farther the wood is struck.
The small piece of wood must be anticipated and either caught by Player B to negate the points and start his turn, or Player B must wait for Player A to miss hitting the wood.
I used to play this game as a kid and was always the winner, but if I lose, I'm ready for a voice workout...shaaaatong!!!!
It is important to note that there are two teams of at least two players, although it can also be played as singles.
I can say that I am lucky as a kid in my time because I got to play all kinds of Traditional Filipino Games which the kids of these days no longer do (I don't think they even know how to play those kinds of games). My favourites are dakpanay (habulan), taguanay (taguan / hide-and-seek), patintero (tubig-tubigan), piko, holenay (playing marbles), tumbang preso, takyan, palupad tabanog (flying kites), and of course, my favourite, playing shatong or syatong...
Thank you 
Thank you for fetching around and checking out the post. Catch you on my next blog.
