Palosebo

Traditional game in the Philippines

Palo-sebo (from the Spanish "pole-grease") is a traditional Filipino game. A local variant of the greasy pole, it is likely derived from the Spanish cucaña.

Description

This game is usually played by boys during a town fiesta or on special occasions in the various provinces of the Philippines. Long and straight bamboo poles are polished and greased, after which a small bag containing the prize is tied to the top. The bag usually contains money, sweets, or toys. Sometimes a small flag is used instead of the actual prize, which is given to the winner afterwards.

Play

Contestants try to climb the pole in turns to secure the prize, and anyone who fails to reach the top is disqualified. The winner is the one who succeeds in reaching and untying the prize or retrieving the flag.^[1]^[2]^[3]

References

Footnotes

^ ""Palo Sebo," Pinoy Games, Cultural Heritage, GlobalPinoy.com, 2006". Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
^ Palo Sebo, Greased Bamboo Climbing, SeaSite.niu.edu (undated)
^ Barbosa, Artemio C. Palosebo,12 Philippine Games, Traditional Games in the Philippines, Infocus, About Culture an Arts, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, August 15, 2003 Archived May 4, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, NCCA.gov.ph

Bibliography

Marsha's Encounter with the Little Prince - a children's story that defines the palosebo game, EduProjects.net
Barbosa, Artemio C. Palosebo,12 Philippine Games, Traditional Games in the Philippines, Infocus, About Culture an Arts, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, August 15, 2003, NCCA.gov.ph
Palosebo, Palaro (Game), Festival Components and Events, First National Komedya Festival^{[permanent dead link]}, NCCA.gov.ph

External links

Images

Picture depicting the palosebo, Caminawit Photo Center at Bravenet.com
Picture depicting the palosebo at Flickr.com
Picture depicting the palosebo, Kids play the ‘palo sebo’, Pinoy Outlook/Sun+Stars e-magazine at Sunstar.com and Flickr.com