Tumbang Preso: Pinoy Game that Younger Generations Must Know

Tumbang Preso is one of those Filipino games that I will never forget. It's simple but a role-playing game that requires physical activity, and it's also fun because it's played outside of a group of young people. 

Kids are playing Tumbang Preso -- Photo by TAPS Cauyan

"Tumba" means "knock", and "preso" means "prisoner". Kids until 80s are free to do such activities, especially tumbang preso game, because they don't have the internet and devices yet. Generations of the '90s were mostly still enjoying it, but now young people don't have the experience of playing tumbang preso anymore. 

It is very good for the body as it helps the players function not only physically but also in terms of strategic planning skills and agility in action. 

Best place to play Tumbang Preso? 

Because kids need to run around in box, it should be done in a wide area like a road or in a park. In the 90s, there were not many paved roads and only a few vehicles on the road, so children could play Tumbang Preso comfortably. It is not necessary to play in crowded places because there is a bigger risk of accidents for children. 

In particular, the Tumbang Preso involves a lot of physical activities like running. And, more importantly, Tumbang Preso also calls for strategic planning skills and agility to avoid being tagged. This is great for children as they can maintain their physical as well as mental health. 

What exactly does Tumbang Preso mean?

Many people call this, especially in various Filipino dialects as "Tumba Lata" in Tagalog and "Bato Lata" by Visayans. There may be other variations of this game in different Philippine islands, but it still has the same theme, which means "Knock down the prison" or "Knock down the can" in English.

Tumbang Preso has been the best played game by pinoy generations because even my father can tell they play with it, but their tool is a small stick that they throw in the "lata" rather than a slipper. I believe that there are many versions of Tumbang Preso as players are getting more smarter nowadays.

How to play Tumbang Preso? 

To play tumbang preso, the player must knock the "lata" down. Players use sandals to hit and knock the can down. The thrower or hitter will then run so that they can retrieve the thrown slipper without being caught by the guard.

Things you Need to play Tumbang Preso

The necessary equipment for Tumbang Preso is a small can such as an empty can of condensed milk, a slipper, or a small stick. It is called holly. To play Tumbang Preso, a maximum of 9 players is required. Although children often adjust the number of participants. One of the players acts as the "guard" and the other or others are the "hitters". 

The Game Mechanics of Tumbang Preso

1. Players draw a toe line at a point on the ground, and a small circle in shape a few metres on the other side. 

2. Next, the player will decide who will be the first defender or guard. They do this by throwing their pawns or the pamato over the toe line. Each player tries as much as possible to reach the marker. Or at least, the player who is throwing the pamato has to make sure that his slipper is the ones closest to the toe line. Conversely, if his pamato goes the furthest, he will be the first guard.

Guard's Role

1. First, there is a circle that must be filled with cans, and he watches over it. While the hitter is ready behind the score line.

2. At his signal, the hitter player begins to throw their pamato into the circle trying to hit the can. 

3. When a player hits and drops the can, the guard must put the can back inside the circle. Then he would chase the colleagues and mark those who tried to pick up their pamato from the ground. 

One important rule: the defender or guard must not touch the batter until he has placed the can in its place in the circle. If the can is thrown outside the circle, the hitter will have the option to throw the can further from the circle by kicking it. When this happens, the guard must chase the can, giving the hitters more time to get their pamato. 

Change of Roles

If the pawn or slipper lands near the can but never hit it, the guard will "pick up" the pamato. He places one foot on the pamato while the other is on the can. This implies a change of role between the guard and the owner of the pamato. A player who hasn't hit the can stays close and waits for the other players to hit the can again. Unless a player is "caught," he will become the next guard. 

All players devise a quick strategy to draw their pamato without being caught. The guard remains attentive to any hitter's movements. The main elements required in the game Tumbang Preso are the speed of strategic thinking and the speed of running away from the "guard". 

Tips for playing Tumbang Preso 

1. Choose a pamato that's right for you. 
2. Achieve your objective. 
3. Study your opponent's moves. 
4. Take action quickly with quick thinking.

I hope young Filipino kids still play Tumbang Preso today. It would be nice if this game could be passed on to the next generation. It is even more important that these kids have physical play for their good health. If you liked Tumbang Preso when you were young, please share your experiences here in the comments to inspire other pinoy children to play it again.