Street Hacky Sack! Download and Play for a Cause

I am proud to introduce to you a truly Pinoy Apps Game that is said to be another Filipino milestone in the digital world. Introducing in our "featured technology" and "blogging for a cause" categories is the application that is educational, challenging and fun to play with. A game that every Filipino will be proud of - Sipa, Street Hacky Sack.

The Filipino game that is definitely worth playing for finally kicks off. Known as Sipa or Street Hacky Sack, this ingenious game saw Apple’s approval last November 20, 2011 and may now be downloaded from the Apple store.

SIPA The Newest Filipino Computer Game

Sipa, is the Philippines national game. The word means “to kick”, in Filipino and this is played by kicking the small ball or “sipa” with the goal of keeping it afloat and to never allow it to land on the ground. This is done by constantly kicking the ball, ergo, controlling it, using either the inner or the outer foot or the elbow. The player who keeps it afloat longer wins the game. In the Philippines, players use washer with ribbons or scrap cloth or a ball of rubber bands in lieu of a real ball.

This is one of the local games children used to play, along with “tumbang preso”, “luksong tinik”, “taguan”. Such games used to be the games that children play on the streets. Then came the wave of the computer, console and PSP games. We saw less and less children being on the streets but more and more children in computer shops. Technology has changed even the way we play, but this does not mean abandoning games we grew up with. Thus, a group of nationalists and social entrepreneurs came up Sipa. Now you can play it with android phones and Apple gadgets.

Aside from the fact that Sipa will bring back childhood memories to adults, it will introduce the game to the younger ones in the format they are more familiar with. Plus the adults can play it without using their arms, legs and feet but with their hands alone. The backround where Butchokoy, the main character in the game, shows significant landmarks and beautiful places like Luneta, Quiapo, UP, Mt. Pulag.

Sipa is not only a game but a story. It begins with Butchokoy being bullied by a playmate named Tonyo. Tonyo deprives Butchukoy from joining him and the rest of the group as they play the former’s remote-controlled robot toy. Butchukoy goes home feeling sad and low. His parents teaches him to play sipa and Butchokoy enjoys the game, and suddenly forgets about the incident. We see the importance of family which is a core Filipino value.

Download and Play for a Cause

On top of all the reasons to download and play Sipa is a very noble act- to help provide education to deserving Filipino youth. Part of the proceeds of Sipa will go to Mighty Minds, Inc., a non-profit organization and self-reliant entity composed of civic-minded individuals coming from various backgrounds, all united in providing educational assistance to scholars.

Here's SIPA Street Hacky Sack In-Game Trailer