Wise Men Say: The Essence of Filipino Proverbs

PROVERBS 2 (Dannah Grace M. Calica and Jezreel F. Rosete)

Matibay ang walis, palibhasa'y magkabigkis.

[마티바이 앙 와리스, 바립하사이 막카빅키스.]
(A broom is sturdy because its strands are tightly)

EXPLANATION
This simply indicates that in order to achieve the goal of any given task, each member of an organization or group must
work together. It is important to set aside individual differences and have collective action to overcome the challenges of
fostering unity. This proverb is also applicable to a family or group of friends. To establish positive relationship in the family
or among friends, having open communication, being committed to one another and applying culture of acceptance and
respect are significant in strengthening the bond or ties. This reflects the overall mindset of Filipinos, who remain together
through thick and thin. Unity is one of the distinct characteristics among Filipinos. We usually apply this proverb every time
our country gets into crisis or experiences calamities. Because of this, Filipinos stay strong in times of difficulties knowing
that we have each other.

Vocabulary
tibay
adjective: durable, sturdy, lasting

walis
noun: broom

bigkis
noun: bond

verb: to fasten, to bind

PROVERBS 3 (Mary Faith F. Estolano and Neil Ivan P. Cajipe)

Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa paroroonan.

[앙 힌디 루미곤 사 피낭갈링안 아이 힌디 마카카라팅 사 파로로오난.]
(A person who does not remember where he came from will never reach his destination.)

EXPLANATION:
This Filipino proverb teaches us to always look back from where we came from and to always be grateful to those people
who had helped us to achieve what and where we are today. We believe that those who do not learn from their mistakes or
express gratitude to those who have assisted them in the past will not succeed. The main foundation of Christian teachings,
which is The Bible, reminds us that gratitude helps to build strong relationships, and to always live a lifestyle of gratitude.
Gratitude is a value that everyone should have, and we believe that it is one of the ways to achieve prosperity in life.

Vocabulary
lingon
verb: to look back

pinanggalingan
noun: origin

paroroonan
noun: destiny
PROVERBS 4 (Leila Angeline M. Diana and Jiashimae Ingrid D. Jamito)

Aanhin ang palasyo kung ang nakatira ay kuwago?

[아안힌 앙 파라스요 쿵 앙 나카티라 아이 쿠와고?]
(What’s the use of a palace if the occupant is an owl?)

EXPLANATION:
The owls prefer to live in abandoned buildings and they represent emptiness or loneliness. The palace, on the other hand,
symbolizes prosperity. This proverb emphasizes the true value and meaning of life, which is having a simple life while
having positive relationship with people, especially with family rather than living in luxury but with miserable relationship with
people around us. This proverb could also be translated as, "What good is your money if you live a miserable life?". We
believe that it is pointless to be wealthy if you have a bad character and lonely. For the Filipinos, character matters and we
believe that money should not control our lives but we see it only as instrument to share the blessings we had from God to
others.

Vocabulary
palasyo
noun: palace, castle

nakatira
adjective: staying in, residing in

kuwago
noun: owl

PROVERBS 5 (Juleen Dasha S. Manacmul and Scyram Launce B. Berlin)

Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa.

[나사 디요스 앙 아와 나사 타오 앙 가와.]
(To be merciful is God's, while to act is man's.)

This is one of the well-known Filipino proverbs which reminds us on the importance of asking God’s favor in all the endeavor
we are doing. We believe that our Lord guides us in every step of our way in achieving our goals in life. Also, we believe that
doing our best is our way of glorifying our God. Through God’s favor, we can confidently overcome all the trials in life. This
also shows the Filipinos recognition to our Lord’s power, love and blessings provided for us. We believe that God is
gracious and He always sets the path for us.

Vocabulary
Diyos
noun: God

awa
noun: grace, pity, charity, compassion

gawa
verb: to do, to make, to work, to build
PROVERBS 6 (Hessa Mesh Y. Orsolino and Mikayna Avril F. Bautista)

May pakpak ang balita, may tainga ang lupa.

[마이 밖밖 앙 바리타, 마이 타잉아 앙 루파.]
(News have wings, while the ground has ears.)

EXPLANATION:
This old Filipino proverb is a fair warning to all that gossip travels fast. There are people who are nosy that is why news
especially rumors easily spreads and it has a lot of different versions. There are also times that negative news or
information travels faster than the good ones. This proverbs only urge us to be more sensitive to our action, act properly and
choose the right things since we cannot avoid that there are people who are constantly watching and take our actions
negatively.

Vocabulary
pakpak
noun: wings

balita
noun: news

lupa
noun: earth ground

PROVERBS 7 (John Carlo C. Peque, Cathleen Heart D. Cornejo and Zatrina Akeisha Nicole Rodriguez)

Ang umaayaw ay di nagwawagi, ang nagwawagi ay di umaayaw.

[앙 우마아야우 아이 디 낙와와기, 앙 낙와와기 아이 디 우마아야우.]
(A quitter never wins; a winner never quits.)

EXPLANATION:
This Filipino proverb inspires us of not giving up on pursuing our dreams or accomplishing our tasks even we are faced with
many difficulties or challenges. We believe that overcoming the difficulties is part of the process of building our character
while finishing our endeavor. It also teaches us the importance of working hard in order to arrive at our goal or achieve the
purpose we set for ourselves. For us, it is more vital to have fighting spirit and overcome hardship than quitting due to
inconveniences or discomfort.

Vocabulary
umayaw
verb: to back out from, to quit, to reject

nagwagi
verb: to attain victory

hindi (“di” is a shorter form of “hindi”)

adverb: no or not
PROVERBS 8 (Adolf Einstein Zachary Lagante and Charish Mae L. Gumapon)

Daig ng maagap ang masipag.

[다익 낭 마아갚 앙 마시팍.]
(Promptness exceeds diligence.)

EXPLANATION:
Filipino are known for being hardworking people. However, we also believe that being on time or being punctual is also
important. We believe that all our hard works and efforts will be put into waste if we do not deliver that expected task on time
as it may not be relevant anymore. It is also our way of showing respect to the time of the people we are working or dealing
with. We believe that our works are more valuable when it is a product of hard work and accomplished on time.

Vocabulary
daig
adjective: surpassed, excelled

maagap
adjective: on time

masipag
adjective: hard working, industrious

PROVERBS 9 (Angelyn Eve E. Peralta and Dwyane David A. Sagun)

Kung may tinanim, may aanihin

[쿵 마이 이티나님, 마이 아아니힌.]
(If something is planted there is a harvest.)

EXPLANATION:
This particular proverb advises us not to give up on the things we love doing and to persevere in midst of adversity.
Although we face challenges along the way while achieving our goals/dreams, we must keep in mind why we are on this
journey in the first place and strive. We believe that this mindset helps us to achieve our dreams in life. Many people believe
that Filipinos are resilient because despite of the fact that there are many obstacles along the way we continue to
persevere. Also, we believe that there's always a consequence to every action we make and our future is the result of the
effort we put in today.

Vocabulary
tanim
noun: plants
verb: to plant

ani
noun: harvest
verb: to reap
PROVERBS 10 (Mara Irish P. Quinamot and Gaea Reign O. Merencillo)

Ano man ang gagawin, pitong beses iisipin.

[아노 만 앙 가가윈, 피통 베세스 이시핀.]
(Whatever you do, think about it seven times.)

EXPLANATION:
This Filipino proverb reminds us to think carefully before doing something. There are times that we tend to be impulsive or
rush when it comes to making decisions without thinking about the possible outcomes or consequences it might bring. It is a
reminder for us to think many times before taking actions. By doing so, we will avoid having regrets or hurting others.
Thinking wisely and carefully leads us in arriving at better decisions and doing things properly.

Vocabulary
gawin
noun: work, something to do
verb: to do work

pito
noun: seven

isipin
verb: to think, to reflect

PROVERBS 11 (Aloysius Francois R. Reyes and Kashieca Rose Lim Tupal)

Ang buhay ay parang gulong – minsan nasa ibabaw, minsan rin nasa ilalim.
[앙 부하이 아이 파랑 구롱 – 민산 나사 이바바우, 민산 린 나사 이라림.]
(Life is like a wheel- sometimes you’re on top, sometimes you’re at the bottom.)

EXPLANATION:
Life is fleeting and like a wheel. There are days that you are on top and there are times you feel low or at the bottom. This
proverb helps us to accept that life is not constant and it’s changing. It also gives us hope and reminded us to wait patiently,
especially when we are at low point of our lives because things will soon get better through God’s grace and perseverance.
With this, we have a mindset not to cling on material possession we have at the moment but to stick on our values like being
humble, hardworking, and building positive relationship with the people around us. We believe that the people who stick with
us during our low moments are the genuine people we should treasure for the rest of our lives. Everything has its perfect
time and God’s time is always perfect! So be humble and grateful when on top and be hopeful and patient when down.

Vocabulary
buhay
noun: life
adjective: alive

gulong
noun: tire, wheel

ibabaw
noun: top

ilalim
noun: bottom
PROVERBS 12 (Rob Gaven Z. Riggs and Mhelayza R. Dela Rosa)

Kapag may tiyaga, may nilaga.

[카팍 마이 티야가, 마이 니라가.]
(If you persevere, you will reap the fruits of your labor.)

EXPLANATION:
This proverb indicates that you will reap the benefits of your efforts if you persevere. With courage, determination, and
positive outlook, we can overcome any difficulty in life. We also believe that each individual is capable of changing their
future into positive through perseverance. Having this thought we continue to be motivated and enthusiastic as we move on
with our lives. This saying also contradicts the Filipino thinking of “Bahala na”, which means “come what may”. Majority of
the Filipinos opted to put efforts in life rather than not doing anything and wait for good things to happened. We believe that
being productive is greater than being lazy and apathetic.

Vocabulary
tiyaga
noun: patience, persevering

nilaga
noun: a food cooked by slow boiling
verb: to cook by slow boiling

PROVERBS 13 (Andrea Marie O. Tapis and Chloe Jan F. Aranda)

Hangga't makitid ang kumot, matutong mamaluktot.
[항가트 마키티드 앙 쿠모트, 마투통 마마루크톳.]
(While the blanket is short, learn how to bend.)

EXPLANATION:
If your blanket is too short to cover you completely with your legs straight, bend them so that you fit. In other words, learn to
adapt to your surroundings and be contented with what you have. If you have less in life, learn to be frugal until you come to
the point when you can spare some money for a little bit of luxury. We believe that being patient, contented and not
complaining in life are good ways to have a comfortable, meaningful and happy life. Because of these attitudes, most
Filipino people learned that living with their loved ones is enough for them to live happily because they have learned that
they are already rich in the love of their family. This proverb also made the Filipinos more flexible and resilient in life,
especially in facing calamities and setbacks.

Vocabulary
makitid
adjective: not wide, narrow, having little width

kumot
noun: blanket

mamaluktot
verb: to curl, to bend