Libmanan hosts 2026 PSC Indigenous Peoples’ Games, gathers participants from 9 LGUs

By Dong Deiparine

LIBMANAN, Camarines Sur--- Around 300 participants from nine local government units (LGUs) gathered at Plaza Rizal for the Philippine Sports Commission–Indigenous Peoples’ (PSC-IP) Games Luzon Leg, featuring 10 traditional games and cultural performances.

Led by Municipal Councilor Gerrardo “DonDon” Atienza Jr., co-chairman of IP Games Libmanan 2026, the event brought together delegations from Buhi, Goa, Ocampo, Sagñay, Tigaon, Baao, Iriga City, Pili, and host municipality Libmanan.

The competitions featured 10 traditional games: Langon Tubig, Tubig-Tubig or Tubigan, Santaren, Kadang-Kadang sa Bago or Bao, Bataka or Sangkayaw, Burutungan nin Lubid, Guluyudan sa Palapa, Tatsian sa Palapa, Bunong Braso, and Pana.

The opening ceremonies featured performances by the San Juan Marching Band and dancers from San Juan National High School and San Isidro National High School.

An evening festivity featuring cultural performances was also held at the Libmanan Sports Complex.

Mayor Son Marfil said hosting the event would help introduce Libmanan to a wider audience and showcase what the municipality has to offer.

“This is a big opportunity for Libmanan because our town will become better known, not only locally but also at the national level. Through this event, we can showcase to the entire Philippines the many wonderful things our town has to offer,” Marfil said.

The municipal government plans to make the IP Games a regular feature of its founding anniversary celebrations and explore opportunities for other towns in Camarines Sur and the Bicol Region to host similar competitions in the future.

The PSC-IP Games was launched in 2018 through a collaboration among the Philippine Sports Commission, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

The program aims to preserve and promote Indigenous cultural heritage by organizing traditional sports and games in different parts of the country. Its inaugural leg was held in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, in April 2018.