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Episode 10: Sanggol Games (Baby Games)

Welcoming My Cousin Jake!

I’m not alone today! My cousin Jake is joining me for this episode. Say hi, Jake! (Jake: Hey how’s it going everyone) We’ve been cousins since he was born, haha. Thanks for being here, man!

Shout Out: Liliw Laguna Tsinelas Festival

Before we start, a shout-out to my mom’s side of the family and everyone in Liliw, Laguna! They just had their annual Tsinelas Festival at the end of April. Liliw is famous for making tsinelas (slippers/flip-flops). If you’re ever in Luzon (about 2 hours south of Manila), check them out!

How This Episode Came About (New Baby!)

Today’s topic, Sangol Games (Baby Games), was actually Jake’s idea! (Jake explains his wife’s brother recently had a baby boy, the family was overjoyed, and watching relatives play games like “close open” with the new baby sparked the idea for this segment, feeling these common Filipino interactions should be shared). I thought it was a great idea! It brought back funny memories, and it’s interesting how specific these games are to our culture.

What are Sangol (Baby) Games?

Sangol (S-A-N-G-O-L) is the Tagalog word for baby. These are the simple, interactive games and songs many Filipinos play with infants and young children. The goal is usually to make them laugh, create a bond, and sometimes help develop motor skills.

Let’s Play! Filipino Childhood Favorites

Jake and I put together a list of games we remembered:

  1. Close Open:
    • The classic! Gently guiding the baby’s hand to open and close while chanting “Close… open… close open!” often with varying speeds and pitches. Helps with hand motor skills. Jake mentioned his nephew mostly just flexes his wrist at this stage!
  2. Penpen de Sarapen:
    • A traditional Filipino counting rhyme/game, similar to “Eenie meenie miny mo.” I only remember the first line: “Pen pen de sarapen…” Jake recalls it involves tapping fingers on someone’s open palm while singing. Helps kids learn counting. (Neither of us claims to be the expert on the full lyrics/rules!)
  3. Sawsaw Suka (Dip Vinegar!):
    • You rhythmically dip your pointing finger into the baby’s open palm while chanting “Sawsaw suka, mahuli taya!” (Dip vinegar, the last one caught is ‘it’!). The baby tries to quickly close their hand to “catch” your finger. It sounds weird to non-Filipinos (dipping in vinegar?), but suka (vinegar) is a beloved condiment for things like dried fish (tuyo) or fried pork chops! It’s all about the anticipation and the catch. Making babies laugh with this one is priceless.
  4. Beautiful Eyes:
    • Often initiated by Titas or Lolas! Asking the baby, “Show me beautiful eyes!” encourages them to blink, flutter their eyelashes, or make a cute face. Teaches interaction and maybe some early flirting skills? Haha.
  5. It Bulaga (Peekaboo!):
    • The Filipino version of Peekaboo. Cover your eyes, draw out a long “Eeeeeeeeeeeet…”, then quickly uncover your eyes and say “Bulaga!” (Bulaga is like saying “Boo!”). It’s also the name of a super famous, long-running daytime TV show, Eat Bulaga (over 30 years!). Not sure if the game or show came first. People get really into the high-pitched “Eeeet” sound!
  6. Arunden / Arawendon? (Wrist Circles?):
    • I remember this one, but Jake didn’t. I’m not even sure of the spelling or if it’s a real word. You sing “Arawendon, arawendon…” repeatedly with changing pitch while making circular motions with your wrist (fist closed or palm open, like stirring). My oldest son hilariously did the motion with his feet when he first learned it!
  7. Pong Pong Galapong (Baby Circles!):
    • Another one Jake didn’t know, but I learned from my wife, Abby. With the baby lying down, you hold both their hands in one of yours and both their feet in the other, bringing them together over the baby’s tummy. While chanting “Pong pong…” you make gentle circular motions with their limbs, moving their whole body slightly. On the word “Galapong!” you let go, usually resulting in baby giggles.
  8. Mandang Marikit (The Poop Song?!):
    • Jake shared this gem his mom apparently made up to tease his sister Nikki after a potty accident as a kid! (Sorry Nikki!) The song translates roughly to: “It’s Nikki, beautiful pretty / Flies follow her around her booty / I thought it was glue / But it was poop!” Hilarious family folklore! (And congrats to Nikki on finishing the Ragnar Trail race!)
  9. Bonus Game: Tsinelas vs. The Can (Tumbang Preso?):
    • Jake remembered this classic Filipino street game (we couldn’t recall the exact name, maybe Tumbang Preso?). Played with an empty tin can and tsinelas (slippers). One person guards the can placed between their feet, while a group tries to knock it over by throwing their slippers (sidewinder/frisbee style!). Simple, fun, requires skill (and decent slippers!), and born out of making fun with whatever was available – no fancy toys needed! Jake had his American wedding party play it; they thought it was ghetto but had a blast.

Wrapping Up the Games

That’s our trip down memory lane with Sangol Games! It was fun reminiscing. Recording this episode was also a challenge – had some delays and that accidental deletion – but glad we got it done!

Plugs from Jake (Catalyst Events & Deja Creativ)

Jake, anything you want to plug? (Jake plugs his businesses):

  • Catalyst Events Company: Event planning for memorable events of any size (up to 2000 attendees managed!). Handles logistics, vendors, timelines. Find them on Instagram @CatalystEventsCo (with an ‘s’ on Events) and Facebook Catalyst Events Company.

Deja Creativ: Creative solutions consulting for branding, websites, marketing collateral, etc. Find him on Instagram and Facebook @DejaCreativ.

Links to Youtube videos

Shout out to my cousin Nikki for participating in the Ragnar Trail.

Shout out to my Mom’s hometown Liliw, Laguna for celebrating their annual Tsinelas Festival. It occurs every year at the end of April. Check them out if you’re in the area.

Tagalog Words

  • Sanggol – baby
  • Maganda/Marikit – beautiful, pretty
  • Bulaga – boo
  • Sawsaw – to dip
  • Suka – vinegar
  • Mahuli to be late or be the last one, or to get caught
  • Taya – “it” like in tag
  • Tsinelas – slipper

The show notes of this episode can be found at http://podcast.sherwinm.com/10.

We hope you enjoyed the show. Jake shared a few links to check out more about him.