SAWSAW SUKA

The name literally translates to "dip into vinegar."

 The "it" has his palm open while the other players

touch this with their index fingers, singing "sawsaw

 suka/ mahuli taya!" which translates to "dip into

the vinegar/the last one (or the caught one) becomes

 "it". And indeed, the "it" tries to catch any player's

 finger at the end of the song.

Are you bored during long trips? Or you just want to have fun with your

sibling, or child if you’re a parent? Well, why not try the game

Sawsaw-suka. Although it has no recorded origin, this game

 has been a favorite pastime for many Filipinos.

Played by two players or more, its mechanics

 is simple that it can be played by anybody.

At the start of the game, there will be a designated

 it or taya who will be opening one of his palms

 and curve it facing upward like a bowl. The other player

 ,on the other hand, should touch the palm of the

 taya with his index finger as if he is dipping it on a

 bowl of vinegar, and while singing the chant

Sawsaw-suka, mahuli taya!, the other player or players

 will be raising their fingers off the taya’s palm in

 pace with the chant. At the end of the song,

theit or taya should close his palm and try to

catch the other players’ fingers as they dart off.

Whoever’s fingers were caught will be the new taya.

 And so the game continues, this time around, the

new taya will be catching other player’s finger at the end

 of the chant in order to find a new taya.

According to smartparenting.com, 2 to 4 year

 old children love to play this, especially when

stuck in heavy traffic or having a long ride to a

destination. This also serves as a bonding time between

 parents and children which develops the

children’s sense of affection toward their parents

through a fun and enjoying activity. This game may

also stimulate mind alertness and one’s motor skills,

this can also be a good energizer during team building

activities or in classes if you’re a teacher, but more than

 all of these benefits at hand, this can be a great activity to

 develop camaraderie among players. Sawsaw-suka is a

game that can be played indoors or outdoors, while

sitting, standing or even while lying in bed, in other

words, it can be played with no restrictions at all, even age.

It may be simple, but that actually is an

advantage, for it will be easy to learn and play,

but still it can bring genuine joy. Sawsaw-suka,

a true finger dipping fun experience, a true tatak-Pinoy.