"Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan."

-Dr. Jose Rizal, Philippine National Hero

("He who does not know how to look back at where he came from will never get to his destination.")

Hello everyone. Whoooh! it’s been a week since my last post. I miss this. Today will be my first blog about Filipino culture and Philippine settings. I am excited and proud to tell you more about the Philippines. Let’s start this with my favorite old-style game.

A traditional game called “Hampas Palayok” (hit the pot) was very popular in the Philippines. I know that every Filipino who can read this experience playing this game at least once during their childhood. Before, this game was only played during Barrio Fiesta (Feast). This was played mostly by children but now, it can also be played by adults during birthday parties, Christmas celebrations or any other occasions.

The rules of the game are so simple. You just have to hit the clay pot. Easy right? But wait. Players should be blindfolded. They will fall in line around 3 meters away in front of the hanging clay pot, enough for the player to reach it and will walk straight towards the pot. A long bamboo or lumber is used to hit it. Participants are made to spin around to distort his/ her concentration. The crowd will distract the player by yelling all kinds of directions, “Go straight, to the left, to the right, stop! Hit it! Hit it!”

One by one, they have an opportunity to hit the pot once. Yes. You read it right. Just one hit. If you missed it, you have to go back in line and wait for your turn to hit again. The game continues if the player misses to hit the pot.If someone smashes the pot, the crowd goes for the goodies fall on the ground from the pot like candies, chocolates, coins and even peso bills. The player who breaks the pot will win the game and will be given a prize, usually a peso bill.

Let’s go back to history. Did you know that “Hampas Palayok” is derived from the Spanish game Piñata? The Spaniards conquered the Philippines thru religion, the Catholism. They used festivals to attract the native Filipinos to convert to their religion. And this game is played during those celebrations. Filipinos are resourceful. Instead of using Mexican Paper Piñata that is expensive on that times, they used clay pots which is abundant and cheap. Filipinos are really good in reinventing things to suit their needs out of limited resources.

Photos were taken during our barrio fiesta in Sitio Tubigan wherein our group (STAG or Sitio Tubigan Active Group) organized a sports fest wherein hampas palayok is one of the games we played.

It is everyone’s duty to preserve our culture. Some traditions must continue and be forwarded to the next generation. We must value the endeavors of our ancestors in passing on the rich Filipino characteristics, attitude, morals and beliefs. Mabuhay PILIPINAS!

Thank you everyone for having time reading this piece. Expect more meaningful blogs about the Philippines made by yours truly. Cheers to life! All for HIS Glory!

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