This document discusses different types of traditional Filipino folk literature: - Bugtong/Burburti - riddles or puzzles with surprising or amusing answers that are mysteries or hard to explain. Often presented as games. - Examples of bugtong/burburti riddles are provided. - Proverbs - brief sayings that provide advice on how to live or express beliefs thought to be generally true. Examples of proverbs in different Filipino languages are given. - Tanaga - short poetic forms used to comment on life situations or human characteristics. Characteristics and structures of tanaga forms like 3-line and 5-line stanzas are outlined.

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*Bugtong (Tagalog)
*Burburti or burburtia (Ilocano)
*A question that has a surprising or amusing
answer, something that is a mystery or is hard to
explain
*A question or statement intentionally phrased so
as to require ingenuity in ascertaining its answer
or meaning, typically presented as a game

4. *
The mother is walking while the
child is sitting.

5. *
The horse of Adam does not eat unless
someone rides on it.

6. *
The leaves are on the fruit the fruit is
on the leaves.

7. *
No matter how small compadre is he
can climb a coconut tree.

8. *
It has no eyes but it cries,
It has no feet but it walks.

9. *
This creature never leaves unless he
brings his home.

10. *
I carry them, and they carry
me.

11. *
Standing it is short, sitting it is tall

12. What has a head that can’t think but
can drive?
HAMMER

13. HOLE
The more you take away from me, the
bigger I shall get. What am I?

14. FENCE
I go a yard around but does not move.
What am I ?

15. NAIL
I’m a word of four letters; MYSELF, a fastener, and
one thing more. This one thing more is clear to see;
because you notice when people bite me. Behead me
and I shall be. What Am I?

16. *
Name four days of
the week that
start with the
letter “T”

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A brief popular saying that gives
advice about how people should
live or that expresses belief that
is generally thought to be true

35. Natutuwa kang pasalop
Kung singili’y napopoot.
(Full of good cheer while
borrowing a measure of rice;
full of wrath when asked to
pay back.)
- Tagalog

36. Limus ka bara cang limusan.
(Give and you shall receive)
-Pampango

37. Say bilay binayes,
Kasanlilikna, naerep.
(Life is just borrowed; it
will be taken back
anytime.)
- Pangasinan

38. Mas maayo pa ang diotay nga
binuhatan
Sang sa dacu nga dili matuman
(A small deed is better than a big
one which cannot be
accomplished.)
- Ilonggo

39. Ti adda a bagas mmo,
Isu ti apoyem
(Cook only as much rice as you
have.)
- Ilocano

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Ang katwiran ma’y nabaon
Ng sanda-sandaang taon,
Pag dumating ang panahon,
Lilitaw din at uusbong.
Truth though buried hundreds of years,
In due time, it come out and flourish

46. *
3-Line Stanza
Ang dalagang may puri,
Wala mang salapi,
May yumi at dangal na itinatangi
A maiden who is pure
Though she has no money
Has modesty and honor to cherish

47. *
5-Line Stanza
Ang puri ng dalaga’y
Kristal ang kawangis
Dapat kaingatang magkamit ng dungis,
Kapag nagkamalat ay di maibabalik,
Tinisod-tisod ng balanang tikis.
A maiden’s honor is like a glass
That should be protected;
For once it cracks,
It cannot be made intact, and
It will be just trodden by anyone

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Characteristics Riddles Proverbs Tanaga
Subject
Drawn from everyday
life
General attitudes
towards life and
behavior
Life situations or
human
characteristics
Intention
Used as games in social
gatherings and wakes
Used to express
appeals,
encouragements, or
advice on behavior
Used to comment on
certain life
situations of human
characteristics
Style Witty, ingenious, and
rich in imagination
Figurative Hidden metaphor
(talinhaga)
Structure
(Rhyme and
Meter)
With 14 syllables, and
rhyming couplet
Each line has regular
syllabic count
With rhyming
couplets
Quatrain – with 4
lines