Photo courtesy of Manila Bulletin

Quezon City hosted the All aBOARD EXPO 2026, launching three board games that highlight Filipino culture, cuisine, arts, and biodiversity. The event, held from May 28 to 31 at the M.I.C.E. Center, was spearheaded by the Quezon City government and attracted numerous board game enthusiasts and creators, focusing on games that capture the essence of Filipino heritage. The games, which spotlight food, visual arts, and the natural environment, provide an interactive experience reflecting the nation’s identity.

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One game, “Sinigang,” transforms the popular Filipino dish into a dynamic card game. Players gather ingredients to create the ultimate bowl, balancing flavors and overcoming unexpected kitchen trials. Another featured game, "Modern Art: Philippine Edition," reconfigures Dr. Reiner Knizia's classic auction game to showcase artworks by Filipino masters including Federico Aguilar Alcuaz and Larry Alcala, offering players a glimpse into Philippine visual arts.

“Kalikasan: Cascadia Philippine Edition” takes inspiration from Randy Flynn's Cascadia, focusing on Philippine biodiversity. Featuring native species like the Philippine eagle and tamaraw, players design habitats that reflect the country's natural richness. This game aims to raise awareness about the country's unique ecosystems and biodiversity conservation efforts.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · Manila Bulletin · 28 May 2026

A little off topic but related: I remember that 30 years ago a request came to the Thai Ministry of Education from an American collecting Thai games for a book. He asked for the instructions for several ancient Thai games. At the time, there were several games for which no one knew the instructions. I wonder whether these were ever collected and published as some were interesting.