Quantifying Play: A Study of Movement, Expression, and Cultural Value in Filipino Traditional Games

This study aimed to quantitatively examine selected Filipino traditional games (Laro ng Lahi) in terms of movement quality, expressive quality, and cultural value, positioning them within a performance-oriented framework in physical education. A quantitative descriptive–comparative cross-sectional design was employed, involving 40 undergraduate students enrolled in PATHFit courses at a State University and College. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire measuring movement (coordination, rhythm, balance), expressive (flow, creativity, expressiveness), and cultural (identity, tradition, relevance) domains through a 5-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential analyses (ANOVA and Pearson correlation) were utilized. The results revealed that Laro ng Lahi demonstrated high movement quality (M = 4.22, SD = 0.48), very high expressive quality (M = 4.21, SD = 0.49), and very high cultural value (M = 4.31, SD = 0.46). No significant differences were found across participant groupings (p > .05), indicating consistent perceptions among respondents, while significant positive relationships were observed among variables, particularly between expressive quality and cultural value (r = .69, p < .001). These findings indicate that Laro ng Lahi can be understood as a form of embodied performance, integrating physical, expressive, and cultural dimensions. The study concludes that Filipino traditional games are not merely recreational activities but are structured, expressive, and culturally meaningful forms of movement, with strong implications for integration into the PATHFit curriculum and performing arts education, thereby contributing to the preservation and promotion of Filipino cultural heritage.