Luksong Baka

Luksong Baka

Luksong baka literally means “jump over a cow.” The player assigned to be the “it” plays the cow. He
starts off crouching as low as he can while the players jump over him. Gradually, the “it” rises or moves
up. If one of the players does not leapfrog over him successfully, that player will become the new “it.”

A variation of this came is called luksong tinik or jump over thorns. In that game, two players line up
their feet and hands to make a tower while a third player tries to jump over.

Luksong baka (English: Jump over the Cow) is a traditional Filipino game that originated from Bulacan. It
involves a minimum of 3 players and a maximum of 10 players and involves them jumping over the
person called the baka, the main goal of the players is to successfully jump over the baka without
touching or falling over the baka.

Rules

At the start of the game, there should be one player that should be called taya (it), or in this game the
bakang lala (cow). The players should avoid or falling over the baka player while jumping over. The baka
player should start with a kneeling-down position (a baka player bends over with their hands placed on
his knees). All players are to jump over the baka until all the players have jumped. Once the first set of
jumping over the baka is done, the baka player's position will slowly rise-up after jumping over the baka
player. Only the hands of the jumper may touch the back of the person who is bent over. If a player fails
to avoid contact or fall over the baka, they will replace the baka player with a kneeling position (step 3),
and the game continues until the all players decide to end the game.

Other notes Edit

Players should find a safe area to play the game (such as a grassy area) so whenever a player falls, the
landing will not cause as many injuries.

Players should also be fit enough to play in order to jump high, but not that would cause injuries.

Also, players are recommended to be energetic, especially after a long succession of jumps over the
baka player.

Players must be cooperative with others and have self-confidence.

It is recommended that players ask the baka or taya to put their head down in avoiding the players' foot
hitting the baka's head.
Published on : October 5, 2019 Published by : nila.eslit

HOMEFITNESS AND HEALTHTRADITIONAL FILIPINO GAMES SERIES #03: LUKSONG BAKA

Traditional Filipino games

Building Strength and Power

Here I am again with another traditional Filipino game. Today, let me introduce to you, Luksong Baka,
which literally means “Jump Over the Cow” in English.

Traditional Filipino games

Luksong Baka is best played outdoors. (Photo credit to the owner)

Traditional Filipino Games Series #03

Luksong Baka

Luksong Baka originated from the province of Bulacan, in the Central Luzon Region of the Philippines.
This game involves a minimum of 3 individual boys and a maximum of 10. Although kids may adjust the
maximum number of players, especially when there are many participants. Its objective is for players to
successfully jump over the baka (cow), also called the tayȃ or “it”, without hitting any part of the latter’s
body or falling over him.

No equipment is required in playing Luksong Baka, except for these three skills:

Mobility, or the player’s ability to move easily and freely. The more agile the player is, the higher he can
push himself up.

Stability – it’s the player’s ability to keep his body parts steady, especially on his waist.

Strength – once the player is stable, he can jump as high as possible without hitting the baka

These skills are a player’s “POWER”, enabling him to successfully jump over even at the highest level of
the game.
Luksong Baka Mechanics

In choosing the first “baka”, all players must place a hand over another (palms down), and at the count
of three, they release their hands simultaneously, either showing palms up or down. The player who
displays a different position of the hand from the rest should be the first baka or “it”.

The baka then assumes his position at a designated “jump over” spot. On the first level, he takes a
crouching position and the rest of the players jump over him – one after another. When all the players
have jumped over, the baka raises his position a bit higher for the next level. He repeats this process
until he reaches the standing position or until a jumper errs.

The jumpers must spread their legs wide apart to avoid hitting the baka when they jump.

The jumper who hits the baka will take the place of the baka, and the baka now becomes a jumper.

When the level goes higher, the jumper may use his hands for balance by putting them together over
the baka.

So, if you feel like testing your “mobility, stability, and strength”, gather your friends together and play
Luksong Baka. It’s a good form of exercise, too.

Piko

Piko

Piko is the Pinoy version of hopscotch. They throw the pamato, which is usually a stone or small ball in
one of the boxes drawn out in chalk. Whoever successfully throws and retrieves the stone wins the
game.

PIKO or BUAN-BUAN

(Hopping)

2, 4 or 8 players

Outdoors, gymnasium

If two players are playing, diagram A is used; if 4 or 8 players, diagram B is used.

Numbers 1, 6, 7, and 8 = buan (moon). Numbers 2 and 5 = dibdib (chest). Numbers 3 and 4 = pakpak
(wings). A flat stone, shell, or fruit peeling, is used for pamato (object to be thrown).

The first player is determined as follows: The players stand on the corners of the playground, and each
one throws his or her stone. Whoever succeeds in putting the pamato at the intersection of the
diagonals has the first play. The next nearest is second and so on.

Part I. The players, before starting the game, choose their own moon. The first hopper will begin in her
moon. She throws her pamato in her moon and then hops inside and kicks the pamato out of the
moon. Then she throws it again in 2, then in 5, and 6. She hops in and kicks it out after each throw. In
hopping, she hops on either left or right foot but lands on both feet when she reaches 3 and 4, and
hops again on 5 and 6.

Every player plays the game twice; the first time he begins in his moon, and the second time in his
opponent's moon. When he is through, back and forth, then the second part is started.

Care must be taken in throwing the pamato into their exact places, in hopping and in kicking it out. The
pamato and the player's foot must not touch any of the lines. Should the pamato or the player's foot
touch the line, he stops, and the other player will have his turn. If the second player fails or makes a
mistake, then player number one will resume the game.

Part II. The second part of the game is exactly the same as Part I, but instead of hopping, the player
walks with his eyes looking towards the sky. After throwing the pamato, he steps in, without looking at
the ground, to take the pamato. At every step, he asks, "Have I stepped on the line?" Should he step
on the line, the othe rplayer will have his turn. The game goes on as in Part I.

The player who finishes Parts I and II is the winner.

Another kind of penalty is the following: The winner blindfolds the loser and takes him to different
places. The loser takes a stick or his pamato with him. He drops it at the command of the winner. He is
then moved about to many places in order to be confused before he is realeased to look for the stick or
pamato. This is called hanapan (to look for something).

What are Piko mechanics?

The players stand behind the edge of a box, and each should throw their cue ball. The first to play is
determined depending on the players' agreement (e.g. nearest to the moon, wings or chest). Whoever
succeeds in throwing the cue ball nearest to the place that they have agreed upon will play first.

Objectives

To jump over a certain box that has your stone or “pamato” in it.

To successfully finish it without stepping on the lines or outside the lines.

Materials/ Equipment

Chalk

Stone

Procedures/Mechanics

The players stand behind the edge of a box, and each should throw their cue ball.

The first to play is determined depending on the players’ agreement (e.g. nearest to the moon, wings or
chest).

Whoever succeeds in throwing the cue ball nearest to the place that they have agreed upon will play
first. The next nearest is second, and so on.

Throw the cue ball on a certain box according to order and you have to skip the box with your cue ball in
it.

Once you step at the lines or outside the pattern, you’ll be disqualified.
Once you reach the box before the box with your cue ball in it, you have to pick your cue ball up then
skip the box that was with it before.

The first one to complete the game will be the winner.

Values needed to play this game

Sportsmanship

Hardworking

Discipline

Determination

Patience