There are plenty of fun activities to do in the Philippines. With plenty of tourist attractions and a rich culture, there’s always somewhere to go or some activity to take part in.

One of the main reasons why tourists go to the Philippines is to visit their world famous beaches. Whether from the white sand beaches of Boracay to the black sands of Negros, the Philippines has an abundance of sun, sand, and surf. Children can build sand castles, lay tag, or just take a dip and relax

Traditional Filipino activities such as playing games like patintero (a modified version of tag) and tamaang bata (the Filipino version of dodgeball) are still popular among children, especially in the rural areas. Children usually play these games during lunch break or after school before heading home.

Last but not least, there’s the local food. Filipino cuisine is a combination of various cooking styles from other countries, making it one of the most diverse cuisines in the world. Children in the Philippines often visit convenience stores or a local eatery for a bowl of champorado (chocolate rice) or a cold glass of halo-halo (a popular desert made of crushed ice, sweetened milk, beans and jelly).

How do you tell your Tagalog-speaking friends what you want to do? In this section, you will learn common tagalog terms for certain activities.

To walk: Mag-la-KAD

                Example: It’s hard to walk all the way to school. Mahirap maglakad papuntang eskwelahan.

To give: Mag-bi-GAY

                Example: Give me some bread. Magbigay ka sa akin ng konting tinapay.

To hear: Ma-ri-NIG

                Example: I want to hear your song. Gusto kong marinig and iyong awit.

To smell: Ma-a-MOY

                Example: It’s easy to smell his perfume even from here. Madaling maamoy ang pabango niya kahit hanggang dito.

To play: Mag-la-RO

                Example: It’s good to play hide-and-seek every night. Masarap maglaro ng taguan tuwing gabi.

To laugh: Tu-MA-wa

                Example: It’s normal to laugh when you’re happy. Karaniwan lang na tumawa pag ikaw ay masaya.

To eat: Ku-MA-in

                Example: I use a spoon to eat soup. Ako ay gumagamit ng kutsara para kumain ng sopas.

To swim: Lu-ma-NGOY

                Example: Teach me how to swim. Turuan mo akong lumangoy.