You know, when I first started exploring Filipino culture, I thought basketball would dominate everything—until I discovered how deeply traditional sports are woven into the nation’s identity. Let me walk you through how you can dive into these activities yourself, step by step, because honestly, experiencing them firsthand beats just reading about them. First off, get familiar with the basics: Arnis, Sipa, and Patintero are like the holy trinity here. Arnis, for instance, is a martial art using rattan sticks, and it’s not just about swinging wildly—there’s a method to it. I remember trying it out in a local park; you start by learning the basic strikes, like the forehand and backhand, and practice footwork to build agility. It’s crucial to find a good instructor, though, because without proper guidance, you might end up with sore wrists or worse, accidentally hitting someone. I’d recommend spending at least 10-15 hours over a few weeks to get the hang of it, and always wear protective gear—trust me, I learned that the hard way after a minor bruise from a misstep.
Next up, Sipa, which is this fast-paced game where you kick a small rattan ball or washer with your foot, knee, or elbow. It’s super fun but deceptively tricky. When I gave it a shot, I started by just trying to keep the ball in the air for as long as possible—sounds easy, right? Well, it took me a solid 20 attempts before I could manage more than five kicks in a row. The key is to use the instep of your foot for control and practice in short bursts to avoid fatigue. One thing to watch out for is the surface; play on grass or a soft court to prevent injuries, and if you’re a beginner, aim for lightweight balls to build confidence. I’ve found that incorporating Sipa into my daily routine, say 30 minutes a day, can boost coordination and even burn around 200-300 calories per session—though don’t quote me on that exact number, it’s just my rough estimate from feeling the burn.
Now, Patintero is where things get really social—it’s a team-based tag game that’s all about strategy and speed. I joined a local group once, and we’d play in open fields, dividing into two teams with one acting as defenders. The goal is to cross lines without getting tagged, and it’s way more intense than it looks. Start by mastering quick direction changes and communicating with your teammates; I learned that shouting signals, like “left” or “go,” can make a huge difference. But be cautious: overexertion is common, especially in hot weather, so hydrate well and take breaks every 15-20 minutes. From my experience, a typical game lasts about 30-45 minutes, and it’s a blast for building camaraderie—I’ve made some lifelong friends through this.
As you explore these sports, don’t forget to connect them to broader contexts, like how they reflect Filipino resilience and community spirit. For example, take that PBA Commissioner’s Cup match where former Korea imports squared off between TNT and Magnolia Chicken Timplados—it’s a reminder of how global influences blend with local traditions, much like how modern leagues incorporate elements from games like Sipa. Personally, I think Arnis is the most rewarding because it combines physical skill with mental discipline, but hey, that’s just my bias from loving martial arts. In wrapping up, diving into the most popular traditional sports in Filipino culture and history isn’t just about learning moves; it’s about embracing a piece of the Philippines’ soul. So grab a stick or a ball, find a group, and give it a go—you might stumble at first, but the joy is in the journey.
People in Motion (PiM) is our employee advocacy and improvement program. These cross-functional groups are comprised of employees, with an executive sponsor, who contribute ideas and drive action towards focused areas of improvement across the employee experience. The groups include: Kyruus Kontext & Business Readiness; Community, Connectivity, & Engagement; System, Tools, & Productivity; IDEA [Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility].
As a remote-first company, we are invested in employees creating a work setup that allows them to do their best work. In addition to a laptop, we also provide you with $750 to get the additional equipment you need and add an ongoing amount of $1,200 to your salary to cover remote work costs.
We value ownership at Kyruus Health, not only in the work you do but in the shared financial success from our growth. Employees will have the opportunity to grow their equity ownership throughout their tenure.
We care about creating the time you need to bond for any team members at Kyruus Health growing their families. We offer 8 weeks of fully paid leave to all parents. Birthing parents are also eligible for additional time and coverage through our Short-Term Disability plan.
We encourage all employees to save for retirement through our 401(K) plan. Employees have the option to begin contributing to their accounts on their first day of employment and we offer an employer match of up to $1,500 per calendar year for all employees who enroll.
We offer employees a lifestyle stipend of $2,000 per year to help them be well. This is designed for Kyruus Health to offset the cost for items, experiences, or home expenses that enhance team members’ well-being
We want to provide employees and families with health insurance offerings to support them getting the care they need. Our health, dental, and vision plans are desiged to allow employees the opportunity to choose options that work best for themselves and their families.
We are committed to flexibility and empowering employees to do work that matters in a way that works for them. Our unlimited PTO policy is anchored on that flexibility – encouraging employees to take time off for what’s important to them, in addition to the many company holidays we celebrate. To highlight our commitment to a healthy work-life balance, we provide a specific stipend each quarter for employees to use on a recharge day.
