Other Forms of Pre-Spanish Poetry

 Pre-Spanish Poetry consists of epigrams, riddles, maxims,

proverbs much of which came from Tagalog. Some consist
of stanzas of wit and wisdom.

1. Epigrams (Salawikain)
Is a short but insightful statement, often in verse form, which
communicates a thought in a witty, paradoxical, or funny way.
Example:
 Aanhin pa ang damo, Kung patay na ang kabayo.
(What is the use of grass, If the horse is already dead)
Interpretation:
Sometimes, what comes is too late to be useful.
 Kung ano ang puno, Siya ang bunga
(Whatever the tree, so will its fruit be)
 Ang ampalaya kahit anong pait, Sa nagkakagusto’y matamis.
(No matter how bitter a vegetable is, it is sweet to those who
like it)

2. Riddles (Bugtong) or Palaisipan

Is a question, a puzzle, a phrase, or a statement devised to get
unexpected or clever answers. It is a folklore genre as well as rhetorical
device, often having veiled or double meanings.
 Example:
 May binti, walang hita, May tuktok, walang mukha.
(Has leg, no thigh, Has top, no face)
Answer: Mushroom (Kabute)
 Bungbong kung liwanag, Kung gabi ay dagat.
(Bamboo stem during the day, At night, a sea)
Answer: Mat (banig)
 May bintana ngunit walang bubungan,
May pinto ngunit walang hagdanan.
Sagot: Kumpisalan

3. Chant (Bulong)
Used in witchcraft or enchantment.
Example:
 Ikaw ang nagnanakaw ng bigas ko
Lumuwa sana ang mga mata mo
Mamaga sana ang katawan mo
Patayin ka sana ng mga anito.
(You stole my rice
May your eyes bulge;
And your body swell;
be killed by the anitos)
 Tabi, tabi po, Ingkong makikiraan po.
 Sa hinaba haba ng prusisyon sa simbahan din pala ang tuloy.
 4. Maxims
Some are rhyming couplets with verses of 5, 6 or 8 syllables, each line
having the number of syllables.
Examples:
 Pag hindi ukol, Hindi bubukol
(What is not intended for one Will not bear fruit)
 Sa marunong umunawa, sukat ang ilang salita.
(To one who can undertand, A few words suffice)

5. Sayings (Kasabihan)
Often used in teasing or to comment on a persons actuations.
Example:
Putak, putak Batang duwag
Matapang ka’t nasa pugad
Putak, putak (a sound made by a cackling hen)
Cowardly child You’re brave only because you are in your nest.

6. Sawikain (Sayings w with no hidden

meanings)
Example:
Nasa Diyos ang awa, Nasa tao ang gawa.
(In God we trust, In man, the effort to work)

Reporter:
Alyssa Marie P. Alburo
BSEd III-A