Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region VII, Central Visayas
DIVISION OF MANDAUE CITY
Jose L. Briones St.,Mandaue City
PROVERBS AND RIDDLES
Philippine Literary History
(Pre-colonial Literature)
for 21st Century Literature
from the Philippines and the World
SELF-LEARNING KIT
FOREWORD
Tracing the roots of our ancestry through literature is
one way of bridging the gap from the past to the present
times. This self-learning kit was designed and written with
you in mind. It is here to help you master the 21 st century
literature. The scope of this kit permits it to be used in many
different learning situations. The language used recognizes
the diverse vocabulary level of the learners.
We present to you the values of the proverbs and
riddles from our pre-colonial culture. With the help of this
Self-Learning Kit you will be able to understand the
Philippine literary history.
Have fun in learning literature!
1. CONTENT STANDARD
The learner will be able to understand and appreciate the
elements and contexts of 21st century Philippine literature from the
regions.
2.PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
The learner will be able to demonstrate understanding and
appreciation of 21st Century Philippine literature from the regions
through:
1. a written close analysis and critical interpretation of a literary
text in terms of form and theme, with a description of its context
derived from research; and
2. an adaptation of a text into other creative forms using
multimedia.
3. LEARNING COMPETENCY
Identify the geographic, linguistic, and
ethnic dimensions of Philippine literary
history from pre-colonial to the
contemporary.
(EN12Lit-Ia-21)
4. OBJECTIVES
In this lesson, you are expected to:
Describe oral literature (proverbs
and riddles;
Interpret and analyze proverbs and
riddles; and
Value and preserve proverbs and
riddles with the use of social media.
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•
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I. What Happened?
Activity 1 Pre-test
What comes to your mind when you hear the word “Literature”? I want
you to go over the box and choose the word that is related to literature. Write
the key word or idea on the blank.
written works
photo
poetry
prose
culture
matter
history
tradition
meaning
oral
printed
expression
machine
Literature
Basing from the words that you have
chosen, how do you define literature? You
write your answer on the blank provided.
Key to answers on page 9
If your score is
9-10
Very Good! You may still read the SLK but you are already
knowledgeable with the topics that we are to discuss.
7-8
Good! Go over the items that you find difficult and then you may
proceed to the lesson in this kit that you don’t understand.
0-5
Don’t worry about your score. This kit is designed for you to
understand all about proverbs and riddles.
So, what are you waiting for? Start your journey.
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II. What To Know?
Lesson
PROVERBS AND RIDDLES
Pre-colonial Literature
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Pre-colonial Literature Defined
The pre-colonial literature includes all literature produced before the
Spanish colonization like chants, proverbs, songs, and folk narratives. These
were all passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. These
creative works are also crude on ideology and phraseology.
History and literature are two concatenated subjects. Their influence on
each other has provided authors of various periods significant stories to tell.
Literature acts as the mouthpiece of history, while the latter is an actual
manifestation of literature that has happened long before it was written or
passed on verbally.
Let us focus on the Proverbs and Riddles, which are two of the most
popular oral literature. Here are some of the examples from different regions.
Wisdom in Proverbs
Tagalog Proverbs
1.
Daig ng maagap
ang masipag
(The early bird catches the worm.)
2.
Kung ano ang tinanim,
siya ring aanihin.
(What is planted is also the one to be harvested.)
3.
Nasa Diyos ang awa,
nasa tao ang gawa.
(To God is the mercy, to men are the actions.)
4.
Sakit ng kalingkingan,
sakit ng buong katawan
(Pain of the little finger is pain to the body.)
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Ilocano Proverb
5.
Ibagam no sinno ti amam,
Ta ibagac no sinno ca.
(Birds of the same feather, flock together.)
Chavacano Proverb
6.
El niño que no llora,
no mama
(The baby, who does not cry, does not get fed.)
Bisaya Proverbs
7.
Ang magbaligya
pirming mokanta nga tam-is ang iyang baligya.
(The watermelon seller declares his melon sweet.)
8.
Unsa ang tawo,
Maila sa iyang binuhatan
(A man is known by his acts.)
9.
Puslan nga maligo,
Manglugod.
(In doing a piece of work, one must do it well.)
Zamboangeño Proverb
10.
Conforme e tata,
ansina el anak.
(Like father, like son.)
Tausug Proverbs
11.
In kābaw minsan mu biadjuan sutla,
mui da pa pisak.
(Though you dress a water buffalo in silk, he will always return to the mud.)
12.
In manussiya magparuparu,
sagawa’ Tuhan in magbaya.
(Man plans, God decides.)
13.
In halli’ subay wajib mangadjang
ha di’ patumu’ in ulan.
(One must always be prepared to have a roof
ready before the rain falls.)
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Cues in Riddles
1.
Taas ug puti nga babaye,
Nagkaon sa iyang lawas.
(A beautiful lady is eating her body.)
Candle
2.
Naligo ang kapitan,
Wala nabasa ang tiyan.
Canoe
(The captain took a bath without his belly getting wet.)
3.
Limang puno ng niyog,
Isa’y matayog.
(Five coconut trees, one stand out.)
Hand
4.
Nang hatakin ko ang baging,
nagkagulo ang mga matsing
(When I tugged the vine, the monkeys went crazy.)
Isang balong malalim
Punong-puno ng patalim.
(A deep well that is full of chisels.)
Bell
5.
Mouth
Activity 2 Let us Interpret!
Direction: Give your short answers on the following questions.
1. What does proverb 4 mean?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
2. What does proverb 7 mean?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
3. Which proverb do you like the most? Why?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
4. According to proverb 12, how are people’s lives? To whom do they base
on?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
5. Which proverb from the list gives us the wisdom with our situation today?
Cite situations to support your answer.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Key to answers on page 9
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6. What are the characteristics and features of proverbs?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Activity 3 Let us Analyze!
Direction: Give your short answers on the following questions.
1. Why is a candle described as a lady eating herself?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
2. Why a bell is hinted as monkeys who went crazy?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
3. Why the mouth is described as a deep well full of chisels?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Activity 4 Assessment
Direction: Answering the following questions according to the text read.
1. Do different races in the Philippines have their own proverbs? Explain your
answer.
_________________________________________________________________________
2. Do you agree with the wisdom in the proverbs? Why or Why Not?
_________________________________________________________________________
3. Are proverbs figurative?
_________________________________________________________________________
4. Are riddles entertaining then and now? Why or Why Not?
_________________________________________________________________________
5. Do riddles show comparison? Explain your answer.
_________________________________________________________________________
6. How shall we value and preserve proverbs and riddles?
_________________________________________________________________________
Key to answers on page 10
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Activity 5 Reinforcement Activity
Directions: Create your own proverb or riddle. Post it in any social media
platform of your choice. Deadline of posting will be next week.
Rubric
Criteria
Effectively
Accomplished
(15-20 points)
The content is written
clearly and concisely.
The content gives the
audience a clear
sense of the concept.
Partially
Accomplished
(7-14 points)
The content is
written clearly and
concisely but lacks
ideas. The content
has vague sense
of concept.
Never
Accomplished
(6-0 points)
The content
lacks a clear
point of view. The
content is
incorrect.
III. What Have You Learned?
I have learned that …
•
Proverbs and riddles are short verses since the pre-colonial times.
Proverbs aim to teach people and give advices. They mirror the
Filipino philosophy through figurative words in two verses. In
Tagalog, Filipino calls them salawikain. Each salawikain suits
appropriate situations. Riddles, on the other hand are questions
rhythmically constructed. They are meant to be answered right.
Since the ancient times, our ancestors exchange riddles. In local
term, they are called mga bugtong (singular: bugtong).
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You are learning a lot! Good
job! I hope you will continue to
value and preserve our
proverbs and riddles.
Now, total your scores. If you
get 19 check marks and more,
congratulations!
If you failed to do so, you still
have time to try the activities
again.
References
Alonzo, Rosario I., Flores, Eden R., Tayao, Ma. Lourdes G. 21st Century
Literature from the Philippines and the World. C. E. Publishing, Inc.,
2017.
Campano, Ameen. n.d.
https://www.academia.edu/35538272/Lesson_1_Values_in_Proverbs_
and_Hints_in_Riddles_Get_to_Know. June 2020.
Editor. "Tagalog Lang." n.d. https://www.tagaloglang.com/mga-bugtongat-sagot-tagalog-riddles-answers/. June 2020.
https://www.canva.com/design/DAEAPEQCaPg/o3DradTL6N5IPPEP3LJIyg/
edit. June 2020.
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Proverbs and Riddles Answer Key
Activity 1
In any order
1. written works
2. poetry
3. culture
4. prose
5. history
6. tradition
7. oral
8. printed
Possible Answer for the definition of literature:
Literature is a collection of oral or printed written works in prose or in
poetry that depict the culture, history, and tradition of a certain locality.
Activity 2
1. Pain sends signal to our mind that is why we cannot ignore the feeling
though how small the wound or cut maybe. It affects our entire being that
may disrupt our work.
2. All sellers would always tell the positive comments or characteristics of its
item for them to attract customers or consumers that is why we have to be a
smart shopper and not just easily fall onto the seller’s sweet tongue.
3. Answers may vary
4. We always have a plan on how we are going to spend our 24 hours
however, it is always God’s plan that will prevail in the end. Just like what we
are dealing right now, all our plans are halted because of this pandemic. So,
it is wise to always be grateful to Him and ask for His guidance and blessings
for we never know when will our time here ends.
5. Answers may vary
6. Proverbs are wise sayings that give advices and lessons.
Activity 3
1. A candle has a body of like a woman which is slender and smooth. Since a
candle melts its body once lighted, then it is described as a woman eating
her body.
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2. A bell is compared to a monkey who’s crazy because when you tug a bell
it creates an extremely loud shrill and it keeps on tumbling on its own pole so
it is like you are watching a monkey who has gone crazy.
3. The teeth are considered as the chisels in that riddle because of its sharp
edge and just like a deep well the inside of our mouth is dark and wet.
Activity 4
1. Yes, because the Philippines is an archipelago and each island has its own
practices which can be an inspiration for a proverb to be created.
2. I agree with the philosophies in each proverb because its main objective is
to give lessons.
3. Proverbs are figurative because it has deep meaning.
4. Yes, riddles are mind boggling and entertaining at the same time because
there are descriptions that are funny and witty. It is one way of killing time
during the time of our ancestors and even the young generations of today
are amused in answering riddles.
5. Yes, somehow riddles show comparison from one object to another and
shows similar characteristics.
6. We can value and preserve these oral literatures by continuing its
patronage especially that we are at this digital age wherein cultures can be
easily shared.
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Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region VII, Central Visayas
DIVISION OF MANDAUE CITY
Jose L. Briones St.,Mandaue City
NIMFA B. BONGO, Ed. D., CESO V
Schools Division Superintendent
ESTELA B. SUSVILLA, Ed. D.
Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
JAIME P. RUELAN, Ed. D.
Chief Curriculum and Implementation Division
ISMAELITA DESABILLE, Ed. D.
LRMDS, Education Program Supervisor
MERCEDITA M. DEMORAL Ed. D.
Education Program Supervisor in English
KATHLEEN AN C. BRANZUELA
Writer/Illustrator/Lay-out Artist
It is hoped that you have understood and mastered the competencies
covered in the Self-Learning Kit. The skills you have learned will be of
great help as you take part in the challenging demands of society.
The enriching experiences you have gained through this learning
material enable you to know more about yourself, especially your
capabilities. Hence, you are ready to extend your horizons.
Learning the essential competencies in the 21st Century Literature
from the Philippines and the World is to prepare you to become
globally competitive in the future. As you meet the complex demands
of the global world, you stand confident because of the wide range of
competencies you have mastered which made you more expressive
of your thoughts and ideas.
Bringing up rear, as productive learners, you are equipped with the 21st
century skills which you need to be ready for tomorrow’s world.
LearningResourceManagementandDevelopmentCenter (LRMDC)
Curriculum Implementation Division
Division of Mandaue city