Tumbang Preso

1. Introduction
The name of the native Filipino game Tumbang Preso is derived from the two Filipino
words “tumba” which means fall and “preso” which means prisoner. From its name, the
game mechanics can be easily deduced.

This game requires an empty can and slippers, which will be used by the players to hit the
can.

A minimum of three (3) players is needed for this game. However, there are usually five
to ten players in this game. One player will be chosen as the “it,” also called “taya” in
Filipino. Each player who is not “it” can have a maximum of 2 slippers he/she can use for
this game.

The “taya” is to guard the can as the other players try to knock the can down using slippers
which they try to throw from behind a line, which is usually placed 4 meters away from
the can. After throwing their individual slippers, the other players can try to retrieve their
thrown slipper/s by going past the line. As long as the can is standing upright, any player
holding a slipper and going past the line can be tagged by the “it,” and the tagged player
will be the new “it.” However, whenever the can is knocked down, the “it” must first
retrieve the upturned can and put it back in its upright position before he/she can go after
the other players in the game. In a sense, the can is like the prisoner of the “it,” who serves
as the guard, and the other players must try to make the can fall down. A new round begins
whenever a new “it” is tagged.

The game’s objective is to make the can fall and retrieve the thrown slipper before the “it”
can place the can back up.

This game demonstrates uniformly accelerated motion, specifically that of horizontal

projectile motion, which is the combination of horizontal motion and free fall. It is only on
the vertical component that gravity acts on the slipper being thrown. Neglecting air
resistance, there is no other force acting on the slipper upon leaving the hand of the thrower
except for gravity. As such, the horizontal component of its velocity remains constant while
the vertical component changes. This motion is dependent on how the slipper is thrown
and on the angle by which it is thrown. The action of throwing the slipper is results in
uniformly accelerated motion since the acceleration due to gravity is constant, which is 9.8
meters per second squared or 32 feet per second squared, with the direction of acceleration
towards the center of the earth. The manner in which the can is knocked down also shows
motion along a straight line or rectilinear motion because the direction in which the can is
knocked down and tumbles down to follows the direction from which the slipper hit the
surface of the can.

2. Methodology

The effect of physics is very much visible and can be easily seen in action, as either a player
or a spectator of the game. As a player, one can observe the effect of the force used in
 throwing the slipper to the distance by which the slipper travels and lands. Players and
spectators alike can also easily see how the angle and direction by which the player throws
the slipper determines where and how the slipper will land, and whether or not it will hit
the can. One can also easily see how the manner by which a slipper hits the can and the
force used by the player who threw the slipper ultimately determines if the can will be
knocked down, and if it is knocked down, to which direction the can will be knocked down
and the distance by which it will travel before coming to a complete stop. In order to do
these, players can change the amount of force they exert upon throwing the slipper, as well
as the direction and angle by which they throw the slipper.

By being an observant player, one can distinguish the effects of amount of force, angle,
and direction on the motion of the slipper as well as on that of the can that is hit by the
slipper.

3. Discussion

These are the equations relevant to the game of Tumbang Preso:

4. Conclusion and Recommendation

It is recommended that the game be modified by drawing a circle with a radius of about 4
meters and placing the can in the middle of the circle. This makes the game more
challenging and difficult for the taya, for him or her to defend and guard the can from
being knocked over by slippers.