According to old stories, tirador was used as a tool by native Filipinos to hunt and gather food. A good ‘tirador’ can use it to hit fruits hanging from a tree and even small animals like birds.
Tirador is popularly known as a slingshot. It is a popular toy worldwide that you can even find in other countries such as the UK (they call it catapult), India (they call it gulel), and South Africa (they call it ging). Other known countries that play slingshot are Nepal, New Zealand, and Australia.
Tirador Before and Today
The components of tirador haven’t changed much. If you will look at old tirador photos, you can still see its distinct ‘Y’ shaped frame with a rubber attached to both of its ends. Other countries might have developed a modern version of tirador such as those made of folding steel frame with ergonomic designs, yet the goal remains the same – to use it and hit an object accurately.
Despite the modern versions of tirador in other countries, Filipinos who still play tirador enjoy its traditional look and components.
How to Make Tirador
To make a tirador, you will need three things:
- a branch of guava tree or madre cacao with a natural ‘Y’ shape
- latex or rubber
- a marble or finely shaped stones
To make a tirador, attach the rubbers to the end of the frame. Make sure to connect it tightly. The rubbers must be of equal length after attaching them. Add another rubber (slightly bigger than the bands) at the other end of the two rubbers, it will serve as the pocket where you place your stone or marble.
How to Play Tirador
To play, you will have to place a stone or marble into the pocket, then stretch the pocket with your weaker hand while firmly holding the ‘y frame’ in your dominant hand. Aim at your target then release the pocket. It should project the stone or marble towards your target.
Filipino children use empty bottles as their target. They also hang something on a tree as a target.
Tirador is an individual game. Kids can change turns in hitting a target and whoever hits it, moves to the next round. For the next round, another set of targets can be used until only one player remains.
To date, there is one known Tirador tournament held in the Philippines organized by the Philippines Slingshot Federation. They held a tournament that drew attention from tirador players all over the country. The tournament conducts a 1 on 1 game where the winner moves to the next round until everyone gets eliminated. According to the members of Philippines Slingshot Federation, they want to encourage tirador users to continue playing their slingshots and for tirador to be recognized someday as a potential sport in international sports competitions.