A Little Book of Filipino Riddles

Body: parts.

36

Ania ti pinarsua ti Dios a masicog ti licudan?

(Iloc.) Botoy

What thing created by God has the fullness of pregnancy (masicog) behind?

The calf of the leg

Masicog is the swollen abdomen of the pregnant woman.

37

Bulong ti cappa-cappa nagtalicud nagpada.

(Iloc.) Lapayag

Cappa-cappa leaves placed back to back.

Ears Page 34

38

Daluang balon hindi malingon.

(Tag.) Tainga

Two wells, of which you cannot catch sight.

(Your) ears

39

Pito iti taoana; taltallo iti requepna.

(Iloc.) Lapayag, agong, mata, ngioat

There are seven windows; only three shut.

Ears, nostrils, eyes, mouth

40

Sipac nga sipac, saan nga mangeg ti caaroba.

(Iloc.) Mata

Claps and claps, but the neighbors do not hear.

Eyes

41

Tepac cac tan tepac agnereguel na ybac.

(Pang.) Mata

Clapping and clapping but my companions cannot hear me.

Eyes

42

Dalaua cong cahon bucsan ualang ugong.

(Tag.) Mata

I open my two boxes noiselessly.

Eyes Page 35

43

Dalawang batong maitim malayo ang dinarating.

(Tag.) Mata

Two black stones which reach far.

Eyes

44

Dalawang tindahan sabay na binubucsan.

(Tag.) Mata

Two stores are open at the same time.

Eyes

45

Adda dua nga Princesas quet nagseng nga tan da iti dua nga bantay; no agsangit iti maysa agsangit danga dua.

(Iloc.) Mata

There are two princesses, who live on the two sides of a mountain; when one cries both cry.

The eyes

46

Adda dua nga pisi agtongpal idiay langit.

(Iloc.) Mata

There are two halves; they go toward the sky.

Eyes

47

Malaon nang patay hindi maibaon at buhay ang capit bahay.

(Tag.) Bulag ang isang mata Page 36

It is a long time since it died, yet it can not be buried for its neighbor is still alive.

One blind eye

48

Señora a samsamping addai ti uneg ti sarming.

(Iloc.) Taotao ti mata

A samsamping is in the middle of the mirror.

The pupil of the eye

49

Daluang balahibuhen masarap pag daiten.

(Tag.) Mata at kilay

Two hairy things, it's pleasant to have them meet.

Eyelids

50

Adda dua nga Princesa quet nagbaetanda ti maysa nga bantay quet daytoy a bantay adda met dua nga oaig quet no agsangit daguitoy a Princesa agayos met daytoy nga oaig ngem no saanda nga agsangit mamagaan daguitoy nga oaig.

(Iloc.) Mata quen agung

There are two princesses with a mountain between them. In this mountain are two brooks and when the princesses cry these brooks Page 37flow and when the princesses do not cry the brooks dry up.

Eyes and nose

51

Isang biyabas pito ang butas.

(Tag.) Mukha

One guava with seven holes.

Face

52

Limang puno nang niog; isay matayog.

(Tag.) Dalire

Five cocoanut palms; one is higher.

Fingers

53

Adda lima nga Principes nagcallogongda amin ti pisi.

(Iloc.) Ramay

There are five princes and their hat is one half.

Fingers

The nails are the hats.

54

Adda maysa nga ealapati nga nagna ti tinga ti ili manocayo cona ti ari no adda mainayon nga pisi justo nga dua polo cami.

(Iloc.) Ramay

There is a dove that walked in the middle of the town. How many are you said the king. If there is a Page 38half added we shall be twenty.

Fingers

55

Ni ni conconana aoan ti matana

(Iloc.) Tammodo

Here, here, he says, but has no eyes.

Forefinger

It points here and there, touching the things in question, but it cannot see.

56

Tata baculud ay ain-mena maita na ut-tunna si catanang-nga.

(Gad.) Quiray

A mountain the summit of which cannot be seen, being very high.

Forehead

57

Tubo sa punso, ualang buko.

(Tag.) Buhoc

Sugar-cane on clay, with no joints (knots).

Hair

58

Cahoy nga tambalisa, tapson indi malaya.

(Bis.) Buhoc

A plant which does not fade when cut down.

Hair

59

Iclog iti calao bolig iti lima.

(Iloc.) Ima Page 39

The calao's egg is five-parted.

Hand

The calao is the hornbill; the egg here in question is perhaps his strange head-excrescence.

60

Isang bayabas peto ang butas.

(Tag.) Ulo

One guava with seven holes.

Head

61

Isa ca bungsud nga pito ang iya buho.

(Bis.) Olo

A small hill having seven holes.

Head

62

Sica a tao ti yan ti minuterum.

(Iloc.) Puso

You are the man who has the minute-beater.

Heart

Minuterum the pendulum beating.

63

No agtacderac ania ngata ti omona a ipagnae?

(Iloc.) Mocod

If I stand, what will be the first that steps?

Heel

64

Daluang bangiasan nag hahagaran.

(Tag.) Binte Page 40

Two fence stakes chasing each other.

Legs

65

Atian na ing gulut; ing gulut na ya ing atian.

(Pamp.) Bitis

Its front is the back, and its back is the front.

The lower leg (below the knee)

66

Adda oaig a bassit napnut bucbucaig.

(Iloc.) Ngioat

There is a small brook filled with shells.

Mouth

67

Isang balong malalem, punong puno nang patalem.

(Tag.) Bibig

A deep well is filled with chisels.

Mouth

68

Isa ca cahon-cahon nga punu sang tiguib.

(Bis.) Baba

A box full of chisels.

Mouth

69

Dua nga bobon napnot allid quen dagum.

(Iloc.) Agung Page 41

Two wells filled with wax and needles.

Nose

70

Baston ti Ygorot dica maparot

(Iloc.) Bato

The cane of the Igorot, you cannot pull up.

Penis

71

Mapatar ya dalin tinoboay garing.

(Pang.) Ngipuen

Plain earth has grown ivory.

Teeth

72

Umona nga aglaguis sa agdareedec.

(Iloc.) Ngipen

First place the bars and then the posts.

The teeth

The comparison is with fence-building. Here the posts are first set, and then the cross-pieces. The babe has first smooth, horizontal gums; then the upright teeth appear.

73

Nagapanilong apang basa.

(Bis.) Dila

He is under the shed but is always wet.

Tongue Page 42

74

Enlongon empantion onbangon mansermon.

(Pang.) Dila

Coffin in graveyard wakes up sermon.

Tongue

75

Na manantang ay maccatua udde na mannam ay malussao.

(Gad.) Attut

He who loses it rejoices, but he who finds it gets mad at it.

Bad odor; breaking wind

76

Iti nacapocao agayayat quet iti nacabiroc agong onget

(Iloc.) ottot

Who loses it is glad; who finds it is mad.

Bad odor; Breaking of wind

77

Magna sirirquep no nacalucat madi met.

(Iloc.) Mucat

It walks while it is shut; when it is open it does not care to walk.

Secretion from eye corner

78

Aso cong pute inutusan co, ay hindi na umue.

(Tag.) Lura Page 43

I sent out my white dog and he did not return.

Spittle

The practice of spitting, even unrelated to betel-chewing or tobacco-chewing, is far commoner among the Filipinos than among ourselves.

Book.

79

Tinadtad a root insenpen a panonot.

(Iloc.) Libro

Chopped grass hidden in the mind.

Book

Fodder or “food for thought.”

80

Nagbulong nagbunga nanganac diay nangala.

(Iloc.) Pagbasan

It has leaves and fruits, Godfather took it.

Book

Candle.

81

Ania iti anac a pooranna iti baguis ni inana?

(Iloc.) Candela

What son burns his mother's intestines?

Candle

82

Tite nang pare, mapute.

(Tag.) Candela Page 44

The priest's ——— is white.

Candle

83

Kung babayaan mong ako ay mabuhay yaong kamatayay dagli kong kakamtan, ngungit kung akoy pataing paminsan ay lalong lalawig ang ingat kong buhay.

(Tag.) Kandilang may sindi

If you let me live I shall soon die; if you kill me I shall live long.

A lighted candle

84

Masondug a cayu talaque na donna.

(Gad.) Candela

A slender tree which bears only one leaf.

Lighted candle

85

Isang butel na palay punong puno ang bahay.

(Tag.) Ilao

A grain of rice fills the whole house.

Light

The flame of a candle is a little thing, comparable to a rice grain; yet it gives light to the whole house.

Cardinal Points.

86

Adda uppat a nga amigos; idi naparsua toy lubong inda naisigud.

(Iloc.) Uppat aturong Page 45

There are four friends; they have existed since the beginning.

The four directions

Clock: Watch.

87

Aldao rabii agririaoac.

(Iloc.) Reloj

Day and night I cry.

Clock

88

Amanu na mararamdam, dapot masaquit yang intindian, nung ing lupa na ing quecang lauan a usta mu ing qucang sasabian.

(Pang.) Relos

His words are audible but difficult to understand; when you look at his face you will understand what he says.

Clock

89

Ania ti parsua ni apo Dios nga aoan ti imana nga aoan ti sacana quet ammona ti agsao?

(Iloc.) Leros = reloj

What creature of God has no arms and legs, but can talk?

Clock

Coffin.

90

Ang nagapahimo nagahibi; ang nagahimo indi iya; ang tag-iya uala Page 46sing calibutan.

(Bis.) Longon

The one who orders it made is crying; the one who has it, it is not his to give; the one who owns it does not care anything about it.

Coffin

Disease.

91

Taong buhay inaanay.

(Tag.) Bulutong

A living person being eaten up by “anay.”

Smallpox

Anay, termites or white ants.

92

Ania ti pagayatan na a mabalud.

(Iloc.) Ti masaquit

Why does he wish to be in prison?

Pain

Dress.

93

Dadiay adalem agassiquet; dadiay ababao agatengngned.

(Iloc.—also Pang., Bis.) Calzon; bado

What is deep reaches only to the waist; what is shallow comes to the neck.

Drawers; jacket Page 47

94

Daluang pipit nag titimbangan sa isang siit.

(Tag.) Hicao

Two pipits balancing on a bambu stick.

Earrings

The pipit is a small bird.

95

Bumili ako nang alipin mataas pa sa akin.

(Tag.) Sambalilo

I bought a slave, taller than myself.

Hat

96

Aniat aramid a canennaca,

(Iloc.) Bado

What work devours you.

Camisa

The word work is used in several of these riddles with the meaning of a thing made, a manufactured article. The camisa is a shirt.

97

Nacaquitaac iti dua a sasacayan; maymaysat naglugan.

(Iloc.) Zapatos

I saw two boats; only one person was on board.

Shoes

98

Dala mo siya, dala ca niya.

(Tag.) Bakia Page 48

You carry it it carries you.

Shoe

09

Dalan mucu, dalan da ca, mipa quinabang cata.

(Pamp.) Sapin

Carry me, I will carry you; let us share alike.

Shoes

Drinks.

100

Con aga naga lapta, pero con hapon naga tipon.

(Bis.) Tuba

In the morning it is scattered in many places, but in the evening it is united into one place.

Tuba

An intoxicating drink made from cocoapalm sap; it is gathered daily. In the morning it is at the trees which yield; at evening it is brought in and stored.

101

Adda maysa a balasang conana toy maysa a baro no ayatennac dacquel ti pagdacsam.

(Iloc.) Arac

There was a lady said to a gentleman “If you love me it will harm you.”

Wine

Egg.

102

Yti pagapugan ti Ari; Page 49no maluctan saan nga maisubli.

(Iloc.) Itlog

The limebox of the king; if you open it you cannot restore it.

An egg

103

Adda bayabasco idiay Manila aoan ti pamorosanna.

(Iloc.) Itlog

I have a guava in Manila that has no stem.

Egg

104

Ang balay sang encantadora ua-ay ventana ua-ay puerta.

(Bis.) Itlog

The house of an enchantress which has neither window nor door.

Egg

Fishes.

105

Lindus ne enetiran, dapot king asbuk ya milulan.

(Pamp.) Balulingi

Harpooning at it he missed it, but it went into his mouth.

Balulungi

The shovel-nosed shark. In aiming at food, if it really enters his mouth which Page 50is below the long and projecting snout, he must seem to miss it.

106

Adda maysa nga lacay; puqiiis nga oacray.

(Iloc.) Corita

There is an old man; his hair cut short, the hair hangs.

Corita

It is a fish, with slender, pendent, feelers.

107

Asino ti nabiag a togtogaoanna ti ngeoatna?

(Iloc.) Corita

What living thing sits on its mouth?

Corita

108

Ania iti parsua ni Apo Dios nga pispisi iti baguina?

(Iloc.) Dadali

What creature of our Lord God is but a half-body?

Flounder

109

Nag saeng si pusong, sa ibabao ang gatong.

(Tag.) Bibingca

The clown cooked rice with the fire above.

Cake

110

Tignan, tignan, bago ngiuitan.

(Tag.) Mais Page 51

Look at it first, before making a face at it.

Corn

Refers to eating it from the cob.

111

Piña piña marabotinia
no aoan dayta matayca.

(Iloc.) Bagas

Piña piña marabotinia,
If there is none you will die.

Rice

112

Siasino ngata ti nagbuniag a daga?

(Iloc.) Asin

What earth has been baptised?

Salt

113

Aniat cangatoan a recado?

(Iloc.) Asin

What is the best spice?

Salt

114

Perlas yang maningning a ibat qung mina, nung mibalic ya qung penibatana matda ing ningning na.

(Pamp.) Asin

A sparkling pearl that came from the mine, in going to its source loses its brilliancy.

Salt

The original source was the sea; but in water salt dissolves. Page 52

Fruit.

115

Matebtibonec malimtimbocol bagobagooay tapuco anbalbalangay dalem.

(Pang.) Atsuete

Round, plump; hairy outside; red inside.

Atsuete

A red fruit used for seasoning fish.

116

Ulo ng principe tinadtad ng ispile.

(Tag.) Bunga ng bangcol

Head of a prince stuck full of pins.

Bangcol

It is like a round ball stuck with pins.

117

Dinan yan penalsay Dios ya loab tod tabla it say paoay toel equet.

(Pang.) Cabatite

What creature of God is smooth inside but like a net outside?

A fruit. Cabatite

118

Agbibitin a sinanlagangan.

(Iloc.) Damortis

Hanging like a pot-rest.

Camachilis (fruit)

119

Balay ni Santa Ana nalicmut ti caramba.

(Iloc.) Niog Page 53

Santa Ana's house is surrounded by a jar.

Cocoanut

120

Langit ngato, langit baba, danom ti tengana.

(Iloc.—also Pang., Tag.) Niog

Sky above, sky below, water in the middle.

Cocoanut

121

Danum sadi Minimin, di mastrec ti angin.

(Iloc.) Niog

The water of Minimin, the wind cannot reach it.

Cocoanut

122

Sang bata pa maniuang, anay sang tigulang na matamboc.

(Bis.) Lubi

When young he is lean, but when he becomes old he is fat.

Cocoanut

The meat of the cocoanut grows in thickness.

123

Tatlong bundok ang tinibag bago dumating nang dagat.

(Tag.) Niog

Three mountains were blown down before they reached the sea.

Cocoanut Page 54

The husk, the shell, and the meat are passed to reach the water within.

124

Pispisi a dalayap nagcatlo nagcapat.

(Iloc.) Buquel ti capas

A half-lemon divides into three or four.

Fruit of cotton

125

Adda maysa nga banga nga bassit; Napno ti bato nga babassit.

(Iloc.—also Pang.) Bayabas

Here is a little pot; it is full of small stones.

Guava

126

Aling cacania dito sa mundo ang nacalabas ang buto?

(Tag.) Kasoy

Which of his brothers in this world has his bones outside?

Kasoy

A fruit, the hard seed of which projects entirely beyond its outer surface.

127

Isang ungoy nakaupo sa lusong.

(Tag.) Kasoy

One monkey sitting on a mortar.

Kasoy

The seed of the balubad or Kasoy suggests the figure. Page 55

128

Babuy sa pulo, ang balahibu ay paco.

(Tag.) Langca

Wild hog, whose hairs are nails.

Langca

129

Pobre ti rabaona mayaman ti onegna.

(Iloc.) Langca

Poor outside, rich within.

Langca

130

Tinadtad ti rabaona, lauya ti onegna.

(Iloc.,—also Pang.) Langca

Minced outside; lauya within.

Langca

Lauya; meat on bones, thoroughly cooked in water with vinegar and spices. Langca is a large sort of breadfruit.

131

Agbibitin nga oging.

(Iloc.,—also Pang.) Longboy

Charcoal hanging.

Longboy

A plum-like fruit.

132

Adda inbitin co nga langdet tangtangaden ti baboaquet.

(Iloc.) Longboy

I hang up a chopping-block: the old women look up at it.

Longboy Page 56

133

Hindi hayop, hindi tao,
Nag dadamit ng de pano.

(Tag.) Mabalo

Not an animal, not a man,
Yet it is clad in velvet.

Mabalo

A fruit somewhat like a peach.

134

Agbibiten a puso.

(Iloc.) Manga

A heart hanging.

Mango

135

Isang cabang señorito, pulus may sombrero.

(Tag.) Bunga

A group of little gentlemen, all with their hats.

Palmnuts

136

Bahay ni Santa Ana punong puno nang bala.

(Tag.) Papaya

Santa Ana's house is full of bullets.

Papaya

The papaya contains abundance of round, shining, black seeds the size of buckshot or larger.

137

Metung a bulsa mitmu yang paminta.

(Pamp.) Kapaya Page 57

A pocket full of peppercorns.

Papaya

The round black seeds of the papaya are the peppercorns.

138

Abongnin Doña Maria alictob na botilla.

(Pang.) Apayas

Doña Maria's house is surrounded by a bottle.

Papaya

139

Balay ni Santa Maria nalicmut ti espada.

(Iloc.,—also Pang., Gad., Bis.) Piña

Santa Maria's house is surrounded by swords.

Pineapple

140

Señora a nasam-sam-it addat oneg ti siit.

(Iloc.) Piña

A sweet lady among the thorns.

Pineapple

141

Isang dalagang may corona at caloob saan ay may mata.

(Tag.) Piña

The lady with a crown has eyes everywhere.

Pineapple Page 58

142

Agbibiten a danog.

(Iloc.) Santol

A fist hanging.

Santol

143

Bahay ni Sang Gabriel, punong puno nang barel.

(Tag.) Lucban

San Gabriel's house is full of guns.

Shaddock