The game-board is shaped like a boat with the surface artfully rounded at the ends. They are hollowed out alongside at equal distances, seven holes at each row. Shells, pebbles, or seeds are used as tokens. The game revolves around the contest between two people each aiming to outdo the other by trying to accumulate as many tokens as he can into the mother hole according to certain rules of distributions and moves. Few Filipino boys make their own wooden tops anymore, although some people still do.
Tops are a favorite toy and top-spinning contests are a popular pasttime.
The simplest game is to see which top spins the longest. By spinning them cleverly, boys get their tops to hit others out of a circle or even split an opponent's top in two. Filipinos are becoming interested in competitive sports, especially basketball. The game is played everywhere. Because most Filipinos are short and agile, their playing technique comes from speed and shooting skills.