Ancient Filipino Riddles about Animals
1. Ania iti pinarsua iti Dios a balin suec a maturog?
(Iloc.)
Panniqui
What thing that God made sleeps with its head down?
Bat
2. Pantas ca man, at marunong bumasa at sumulat, aling ibon dito sa mundo ang lumilipad ay sumususo ang anak?
(Tag.) Kabag
Although you are wise and know how to read and write, which bird in this world flies and yet suckles its young?
Bat
3. Uppat iti adiguina, maysa iti baotna, dua iti paypayna, dua iti boneng.
(Iloc.) Carabao
Four posts, one whip, two fans, and two bolos.
Carabao
4. Apat na tukod langit at isang pang hagupit.
(Tag.) Kalabao
Four earth posts, two air posts and whip.
Carabao
5. Saquey so torutoro duaray quepay-quepay a patiray mansobsoblay.
(Pang.) Dueg
One pointing, two moving, four changing.
Carabao
The head points, the ears move, the legs change position.
6. Nu mat-tut-lud ay atanang udde; nu mat-tadag ay ibbafa.
(Gad.) Atu
If he sits down he is high; if he stands up he is low.
Dog
7. Adda maysa nga parsua ni Apo Dios nga adda uppat a sacana, ipusna quen maysa nga ulona nga aoan ti imana.
(Iloc.) Caballo
There is one creature of our Lord God which has four legs and a tail and one head; but it has no arms.
Horse
8. Carga nang carga ay ualang upa.
(Tag.) Babuy
Always working and no pay.
The pig
He is ever eating garbage and waste.
9. Eto na si “Nuno,” may sunong na guinto.
(Tag.) Babuy
Here comes “Nuno” with gold on his head.
Pig
The pig is a constant scavenger and frequents the space below latrines and privies; it is a common thing that his snout is yellow as result of his search.
10. Magmagna ni inam sangsangitam.
(Iloc.) Burias
While the mother is walking the child is crying.
A little pig
The Bugtong or riddle is one of the most ancient forms of Philippine poetry. These Filipino Poems are still used today.