Palosebo
Traditional game in the Philippines
title: "Palosebo" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["games-of-physical-skill", "philippine-games"] description: "Traditional game in the Philippines" topic_path: "general/games-of-physical-skill" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palosebo" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary 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.
References
Footnotes
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, NCCA.gov.ph
References
- ""Palo Sebo," Pinoy Games, Cultural Heritage, GlobalPinoy.com, 2006".
- [http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Filipino_Games/palo_sebo.htm Palo Sebo, Greased Bamboo Climbing] {{Webarchive. link. (2008-09-05 , SeaSite.niu.edu (undated))
- link. (May 4, 2008 , NCCA.gov.ph)
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