Popular sports in the Philippines are basketball, boxing, billiards and soccer.
Sipa (pronounced SEE-pah) is a traditional native sport which predates Spanish rule. The game is related to "sepak takraw" in Malaysia. The game is played with a hollow rattan ball using the head, body and feet but not the hands. Two teams that consists of 1, 2 or 4 players play on a court with a high net in the middle. The goal is to knock the ball down on the opponent team's side. The sport requires speed, agility and extremely good ball control.
Sabong (pronounced SAH-bong) or cockfighting is a popular spectator sport and a national pastime. It is a blood sport between two specially trained roosters held in a ring called a cockpit. In the Philippines, curved, sharp spurs up to three inches are attached to one or both legs of the roosters. The handlers encourage the roosters to peck at each other to get them into the fighting mood. The law stipulates that cockfights be held only on Sundays and public holidays; and at venues away from schools, churches, hospitals and government buildings.
Other favourite pastimes of the Filipinos are shopping and going to the movies.
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