ENGLISH IN LITERATURE AND LANGUAGE 7

Lesson 1: Values in Proverbs and Hints in Riddles

Get to Know
Philippine literature is a rich work of arts. It proves the rich and diverse culture of the Filipinos
since pre-colonial times. Filipino literature connect us to the past that help us to move to the present.
Literature before the Spanish colonization is mostly orally passed. They are passed from
tongues to tongues until generations inherited them. Philippine Literature are still alive today. Some
Filipinos compiled our ancestors’ literature that makes it accessible through writings and scripts.
Genres of the Philippine Literature are epics,
myths, legends, proverbs, riddles and etc. Proverbs
and riddles are short verses since the pre-colonial
times. Proverbs aim to teach people and give
advices. They mirror the Filipino philosophy through
figurative words in two verses. In Tagalog, Filipino
calls them salawikain. Each salawikain suits
appropriate situations. Riddles are questions
rhythmically constructed. They are meant to be
answered right. Since the ancient times, our
ancestors and ancestresses exchange riddles. In
local term, they are called mga bugtong (singular:
bugtong).
These also mirror our ancestors’ and ancestresses’ wisdom and beliefs.
A. What ideas do you get after knowing the background of the Philippine Literature? How can you
describe our literature? Look at the following characteristics below. Check your ideas upon the
Philippine Literature. Answer the question that follows.
______ ancient ______ poor
______ diverse ______ rich
______ important ______ short
______ long ______ unique
______ new ______ wide
______ organized

What can you say about the Philippine
Literature?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
What do you want to learn about the Philippine
Literature?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________

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` Discovering Literature
“Values in Proverbs”
Tagalog: Interpret:
Ang taong gipit 1. What does the
sa patalim kumakapit. highlighted proverb
mean?
(A person in need clings to a deadly weapon.)
__________________
__________________
Kapag puno na ang salop, __________________

kailangan na ng kalos. 2. What does the

underlined proverb
(If the ganta is full, fetching the water is must.)
mean?
__________________
Kung ano ang tinanim, __________________
__________________
siya ring aanihin.
(What is planted is also the one to be harvested.)

Nasa Diyos ang awa,

nasa tao ang gawa.
(To God is the mercy, to men are the actions.) Illustrate:
3. Choose a proverb
from the first four
Sakit ng kalingkingan,
proverbs. Give a
sakit ng buong katawan. situation where the
(Pain of the little finger is pain to the body.) proverb is appropriate.

Chavacano: __________________
__________________
El niño que no llora, __________________
no mama.
(The baby, who does not cry, does not get fed.)

Bisaya:

Ang mag baligya

firming mokanta ng matamis kanyang baligya.
(The watermelon seller declares his melon sweet.)

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Ang pagsulti, sapi Explain:

Ang paghilum, bulawan. 4. Which proverb do
(Speech is silver; Silence is gold.) you like the most?
Why?
_________________
_________________
Puslan nga maligo, _________________

Manglugod.
(In doing a piece of work, one must do it well.)

Zamboangueño:

Conforme e tata, ansina el anak.

(Like father, like son)

Tausug: Infer:
5. According to the
In kābaw minsan mu biadjuan sutla,
highlighted and
mui da pa pisak. underlined proverbs,
how are people’s
(Though you dress a water buffalo in silk,
lives? To whom do
he will always return to the mud.) they base on?
_________________
_________________
_________________
In manussiya magparuparu,
6. What are the
sagawa’ Tuhan in magbaya. characteristics and
features of proverbs?
(Man plans, God decides.)
_________________
_________________
_________________

In halli’ subay wajib mangadjang

ha di’ patumu’ in ulan.
(One must be always be prepared to have a roof
ready before the rain falls.)

“Hints in Riddles” Analyze:

1. Why is a candle 3
hinted as a lady
 ENGLISH IN LITERATURE AND LANGUAGE 7

Ang magandang babae

Kumakain ng kanyang katawan. Answer: Candle
(A beautiful lady
Is eating her body.)
Isang prinsesa
Nakaupo sa tasa. Answer: Cashew Nut
(A princess
Sitting in a cup.)
Kung nakatayo, matangkad
Kung nakaupo, pandak. Answer: Dog
(When standing, tall
When sitting, short.)
Dalawang bolang bilog,
Malayo ang nararating. Answer: Eyes
(Two round balls
Reach far places.)
Buto’t balat
Lumilipad Answer: Kite
(Boned and skinned
Yet flying.)
Bahay ni Amada
Paligid ng espada. Answer: Pineapple
(Amada’s house bears
Around it spears.)
Kapirasong karne,
Basang basa lagi. Answer: Tongue
(A piece of meat,
Is always wet.)
A. Answering the following questions according to the text read.
1. Do different races in the Philippines have their own proverbs? Explain your answer.

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2. Do you agree with the philosophies in the proverbs? Why or Why Not?
3. Which proverb/s can inspire you the most?
4. Are proverbs figurative?
5. Are riddles entertaining then and now? Why or Why Not?
6. Do riddles show comparison? Explain your answer.
7. How shall we value and preserve proverbs and riddles?

8. What are the differences and similarities of proverbs and riddles?

Differences: Differences:

Similarities:

B. Our country’s erudite (karunungang bayan) show the rich cultures of the Philippines as well
as our ancestors’ wisdom. Ancient Filipinos’ beliefs and philosophies based on their observations and
experiences are reflected through the erudite. They are mostly passed through generations orally that
caused some additions, alterations, changes and omissions.
Proverbs are two to three verse wise sayings. They are written in rhythmic form and particular
syllabic counts.