Pabitla / Bonikew (Mga Bugtong ng Pangasinense; Pangasinan
Riddles)
Exchanging riddles is fun – who doesn’t love the game? Dictionary definitions will easily explain the reason why.
To review, a riddle is "a question or statement
intentionally phrased so as to require ingenuity in ascertaining its answer or
meaning, typically presented as a game." "A riddle is a statement,
question, or phrase having a double or veiled meaning, put forth as a puzzle to
be solved." "A riddle is a deliberately enigmatic or ambiguous
question requiring a thoughtful and often witty answer. The riddle is a form of
guessing game that has been a part of the folklore of most cultures from ancient
times."
In Pangasinan, a riddle is called pabitla or bonikew.
Whenever an exchange of pabitla or riddles erupts among friends or family
members, it surely means moments of fun and relaxation during idle times.
The amusement lies not just on the guessing, but also on the
nature of riddles as part of folk tradition, particularly oral literature. The
wit behind the brevity, the beauty in its poetic meter and rhyme, and the
skillful and imaginative metaphorical imagery are all part of the fun of
exchanging pabitlas.
The following are examples of the most popular pabitlas
collected from the Bayambang Culture Mapping Project with the middle portion
lifted from Dr. Perla S. Nelmida's collection of 465 riddles in her
postgraduate thesis, "Pangasinan Folk Literature" (1983, UP Diliman).
1. Kawayan kiling, aga natakiling. (Kiling bamboo, can’t be
viewed up high.) Answer: Agew (Sun)
2. Amayamay so kolor ko. Nanenengneng mo ak ed tawen
pakayari’y mamauran. (I have so many colors. You can see me in the sky after
the rain. Answer: Kabulalakaw (Rainbow)
3. Ambalbalanga si Anga, andekedeket si Aket. (Anga is so
red, Aket is so black.) Answer: Bugayong (Crab’s eye or Rosary pea)
4. Otin nen laquic Tapal, nibaleuet ed corral, manaquis ya agnaecal. (Tapal's
penis hanging within the corral is crying to get out.) Answer: Campana (Bell);
Note: Tapal is a nickname for an old man.
5. Inmamot si Pedro, akapaway so ulo to. (Pedro
hid and shows his head.) Answer: Pasak (Nail)
6. Siplat lan siplat, aga unbakat. (Whipping and whipping and
does not leave a mark.) Answer: Danom (Water)
7. Dos kawit, dos paypay, kwatro dipit, mansasnit. (Two
curves, two fans, four __?, __?) Answer: Duweg (Carabao)
8. Espada nen Juan, inturok tod bulan. (Juan’s sword, pierced
into the moon.) Answer: Lollipop (Lollipop)
9. Kakatakatat, katagtaglang. Maksil ya ontatdang. (Mere skin
and ribs, but has the might to reach the heights.) Answer: Gilata (Ant)
10. Tipak lan tipak, agto narengel may kaibak. (Clapping and
clapping, but my companion can’t hear it.) Answer: Mata (Eyes)
11. No tawagen da ‘santo,’ balet aga manmimilagro. (They call
it ‘saint,’ but does not make miracles.) Answer: Pantol (Santol, Cotton fruit)
12. Si Kapitan nan-ames, aga nababasa’y eges. (The Captain
takes a bath, his tummy does not get wet.) Answer: Baloto (Boat)
13. Paltak na baka, nakno'y paminta. (Cow’s balls, full of
black pepper.) Answer: Apayas (Papaya)
14. Sakey so toro-toro, duara'y quepay-quepay, apatira'y
mansobsoblay. (One pointing, two moving, four changing.) Answer: Dueg (Carabao)
15. Inlongon, impantion; onbangon,
mansermon. (In a coffin, in a grave, wakes up and gives a sermon.) Answer: Dila
(Tongue)
16. Mapatar ya dalin, tinubua’y garing. (Plain earth has
grown ivory.) Answer: Ngipen (Teeth)
17. Matibtibonec, matimtimbocol, bagobagoay tapew co,
anbalbalangay dalem. (Round, plump; hairy outside; red inside.) Answer: Atsuete
(Achiote: A red fruit used for seasoning and as colorant.)
18. Abong nen Doña Maria, aliktob na
botilla. (House of Doña Maria, surrounded by bottles.) Answer: Apayas (Papaya)
19. Amay abong nen Nano, anggapo'y puwerta tan bintana. (The
house of Nano has no door and window.) Answer: Itnol (Egg)
20. Anggano unyuko, aga napaktak so korona to. (Even if she
bows her head down, her crown does not fall.) Answer: Bayawas (Guava)
21. Duwaran bato ya arawi so asabi to. (Two black stones that
have reached far.) Answer: Mata (Eye)
22. Aliwan tuo, aliwan ayep. Say eges to napno’y siksik. (Not
man, not animal. Its stomach is full of scales.) Answer: Sili (Chili)
23. Masiken ya dukong-dukong, akatuon ed lasong. (Stooping
old man, sitting on mortar.) Answer: Maloko (Kasoy, Cashew)
24. Oala'y asok ya quisquis, no unbatik tirakiang. (I have a
hairless dog that runs with its belly up.) Answer: Baloto (Boat)
25. Nancorona agmuet ari; nancapa agmuet pari. (Wore a crown but
not king; wore a cape, but not priest.) Answer: Manoc (Cock)
26. Wala'y sakey ya ayep. Makapanakar
anggano anggapo'y pukel to. (There’s this animal which can walk though it has
no bone.) Answer: Bigis (Worm)
27. No agew et akaugip, no labi et akaliing. (Asleep during
daytime, awake during the night.) Answer: Kaging (Bat)
28. Duwaran balbaloto, saksakey so lugan to. (Two boats, one
passenger.) Answer: Sapatos o Tsinelas (Shoes or Slippers)
29. Inbontok ko'y iknol, kinmokaok ya tampol. (I threw an
egg, it croaked at once.) Answer: Bibintarol (Rebentador, Firecracker)
30. Oti'y dueg, asireg. (Carabao's prick has turned purplish.)
Answer: Talon, Talong (Eggplant)
31. Abong nen Bai Dinis, napnoy butinis. (House of Grandma
Duttons, full of buttons.) Answer: Kamatis (Tomato)
Variant: Abong nen Idis / Aliber na butones. (The house of
Idis / Is surrounded by buttons.) (Ang bahay ni Idis / Puno ng butones.)
Answer: Kamatis (Tomato)
32. No agew tabla, no labi tubong. (Wooded floor during the
day, tube during the night.) Answer: Ikamen (Mat)
33. Gala la irat ta sika lay mangindat. Gala la bayaw ta sika
lay mangelyaw. (Come sister-in-law and be the one to wink. Come brother-in-law
and be the one to holler.) Answer: Karol tan kirmat (Thunder and lightning)
34. Bato ed palandey, makapiley. (Stone in the mountain can
lame you.) Answer: Tai. (Feces)
35. Prinsesan ambalbalingit, walad otel na sabit. (Perfumed
princess, sits on a throne of thorns.) Answer: Pinya (Pineapple)
36. Aliwan too, aliwan ayep, walay saklor to. (Not human nor
beast, has horns.) Answer: Bisikleta (Bicycle)
37. Kasabi-sabik, kinutikot koy bao nen baik. (I just got
back home, I picked at my grandma's pudenda.) Answer: Gagalen (Betel nut chew)
38. Otin nen Lakik Baldo, batil ya anggad nguro. (My Uncle
Baldo's prick, rashes up to the tip.) Answer: Palya (Bitter melon)
39. Anto ya? Malimlimpek, aliber na bago, no arom ambasa. (What
is this? So round, surrounded by hair, sometimes wet.) Answer: Mata (Eyes)
40. Kawayan bayog, aga nayugayog. (Bayog bamboo, can't be
shaken.) Answer: Pongol (Anthill)
41. Walay baboy kon baleg, sanlabin manageeg. (I have a big
pig, grunting all night long.) Answer: Darapilan (Wooden sugar mill)
42. Tawen ed tagey, tawen ed leksab, danum ed pegley. (Sky
above, sky below, water in the middle.) Answer: Niog (Coconut)
43. Tawen ed tagey, tawen ed leksab,
balitok ed pegley. (Sky above, sky below, gold in the middle.) Answer: Iknol (Egg)
44. Aliwan too, aliwan ayep, apatiray suso to. (Not human,
not animal, has four teats.) Answer: Buksot (Native four-cornered basket)
45. Abung nen Kurdapia, aliber na espada. (Kurdapya's house,
surrounded by swords.) Answer: Pinya (Pineapple)
46. Akar-akar no ipagor ko, ag onalis no ibulos ko. (Walking
aimlessly when I tie it in a tether, won't leave when I let it free.) Answer:
Sapatos (Shoes)
47. Ag makasalita, balet dakel so tongtong ko. (Can't speak,
but has so much stories to tell.) Answer: Libro (Book)
48. Aliwan too, aliwan ayep, maksil a mangan, agbalet
narasan. (Not human, not animal, eats so much, though not hungry.) Answer:
Lagari (Saw)
49. Ambalangan dalin, tinuboan na garing. (Red soil, an ivory
grew in it.) Answer: Ngares (Gum)
50. Ambalanga sianga, andeket siaket. Wala'y amputi ton
daiset. (So red, so black, a little bit of white.) Answer: Bugayong (Rosary
pea)
51. Amputi'd leksab, amputi'd tagey, balitok ed pegley. (White
below, white above, gold in the middle.) Answer: Iknol (Egg)
52. Amputin dalin, andeket a bini. Intanem na lima, anien na
sangi. (White soil, black seed. Planted by hand, harvested by mouth.) Answer:
Sulat (Letter)
53. Anggapo'y ulo to, maksil a man-agto. (Has no head, but
can carry much weight.) Answer: Lusek (Pillar)
54. Anta bantay, inbitay, anta muchacho, impriso. (He's a
guard but was hanged, the servant but was imprisoned.) Answer: Kampana (Bell)
55. Anta iknol, nan-iknol. (It's an egg, but it hatched eggs.)
Answer: Liyes (Louse nit)
56. Apatira'y sali to, duara'y dapan to. (It has four feet,
it has two soles.) Answer: Galosa (Carabao sled)
57. Baloto nen masiken Kulas, benlag ya onlabas. (Answer:
Boat of Grandpa Nicholas, in a side position when it goes out.) Answer: Anduyan
(Hammock)
58. Biin anggapo'y asawa, libon laksa'y anak to'ra. (Woman
with no spouse, has thousands and thousands of children.) Answer: Bulan tan
bibitewen (Sky and stars)
59. Kaulo-ulo anggapo'y sali, kangipe-ngipen anggapo'y sangi.
(All head, no feet, all teeth, no mouth.) Answer: Bawang (Garlic)
60. Dinan ya pinalsa'y Dios ya say pait to et wala'd beneg? (Which
among God's creatures has a stomach on its back?) Answer: Urang (Shrimp)
61. Duaran balbaloto, sakey a too'y lugan to. (Two little
boats, carrying one man.) Answer: Sapatos (Shoes)
62. Dueg ed takel, anggapo'y pukel. (Carabao in the woods,
has no bone.) Answer: Kuto (Louse)
63. Dueg kon baleg, pasak ya ami'y beneg. (My big carabao,
all nails on his back.) Answer: Langka (Jackfruit)
64. Inlupiar to'y takuko to, impanakar to'y ulo to. (He
opened? his wide-brim hat, he used his head to walk.) Answer: Bisukol (Snail)
65. Inmamot si Basilio, itatawag to'y ngaran to. (Basilio
hid, calls out his name.) Answer: Tuko (Gecko)
66. Inmamot so loko, manpatpaway so ulo to. (The naughty one
hid, his head shows.) Answer: Pasak (Nail)
67. Libro nen Santo Papa, agnabilang, agnabasa. (The pope's
book, can't be counted, can't be read.) Answer: Tawen ya mabitewen (Starry
skies)
68. Makagawa'y abung to, anta anggapo'y barang to. Answer:
Genggeng (Can build its own house, though it owns no bolo. Answer: Spider)
69. Makalkalnan onlasor, no onsegep magalarogor. Answer:
Muteg (Going down, it is slow, going up, it is noisy. Answer: Mucus/Nasal
discharge)
70. Malikliksi, makitkitsing, nan-ispada'd moling. (Frisky
and spry, has sword on the forehead.) Answer: Urang (Shrimp)
71. Malimgas tan masutlan bii, kanen to'y laman ton dili. (Dainty
lady, eats her own body.) Answer: Kandila (Candle)
72. Masiken a kutong-kotong, pinmeket so ebet to'd lasong. (Doddering
old man, got his butt stuck in a pestle.) Answer: Maloko (Cashew fruit)
73. Melmelag ya igat, inupot to'y danum na dayat. (Tiny eel,
drinks all the waters of the sea.) Answer: Pabilo'y silewan (Wick of a lamp)
74. Nantakuko, nanpika, nankabayo'd talora. (Wore hat, dug
the ground, rode three horses.) Answer: Bangan wala'y sakub tan aklo ed tapew
na dalikan (Clay pot with cover and ladle sitting on top of a
three-cleated/wedged clay stove)
75. Niman, nitan, kuanto. Anggapo'y mata to. (Here, there,
said he who has no eyes.) Answer: Tamuro (Forefinger)
76. Say kawes to kawes-pari. Say lupa to lupa'y kabayo. (His
clothes are priestly garb. His face is that of a horse.) Answer: Duron (Locust)
77. Sirit na bakes, agnalakes. (Monkey's pee, can't be
swallowed.) Answer: Uran (Rain)
78. Tipak ak lan tipak, agnarengel na ibak. (Clapping and
clapping, can't be heard by my companion.) Answer: Matan mankirem (Flicking
eye)
79. Tubong no melag ni, tabla no baleg la. (Pipe when still
small, wood when already big.) Answer: Bolong na ponti (Banana leaf)
80. Wala'y asok a baklayan, pinakan kon aminsan, pesel ton
angga'd natan. (I have a dog that is ___?, I fed it one time, got full up to
now.) Answer: Danganan (Pillow)
81. Wala'y baboy kon baleg, sanlabin ngaleb-ngaleb. (I have a
big pig, squeals? all night long.) Answer: Darapilan (Wooden sugar mill)
82. Wala'y buyog kon melag, napno'y baton ankekelag. (I have
a small pot filled with little stones.) Answer: Bayawas (Guava)
83. Amayamay kamin sanaagi, saksakey so pait mi. (We are many
brothers and sisters, we have only one intestine.) Answer: Kwintas (Necklace)
84. Apatiray sali to, agmakaalis ed kawalaan to. (It has four
legs, but it cannot move from its place.) Answer: Lamisaan (Table)
85. Baston na capitan, ag nabenbenan. (The captain’s cane
cannot be held.) Answer: Uleg (Snake)
86. Walay lupa to, anggapoy mata to. Duaray lima to, anggapoy
sali to. Balët ontëtëlëk ya bokor to. (It has a face, but no eyes. It has two
hands, but no feet. Yet it turns around by itself.) Answer: Relo (Clock)
87. Talora kamin sanaagi, ambalbalanglay pagew mi. (We are
three siblings, our hearts are all red.) Answer: Dalikan (A three-burner clay
stove with fire)
88. Imbantak koy iknol, kinmokaok ya tampol. (I threw an egg
and it immediately crowed.) Answer: Paputok (Firecracker)
89. Ontitikyab mansanitsit, itsura toy singa andirit. (Flying
with a sputtering sound, looks like a dragonfly.) Answer: Eroplano (Airplane)
90. Andukey ya patola, nasabi to anggad Amerika. (A long
luffa can reach as far as America.) Answer: Telepono (Telephone)
91. Sirad America, no onsabi di aluto la. (Fish from America
arrives already cooked. Answer: Sardinas (Sardines)
92. Kasabisabik, dinepakan koy baik. (I just arrived, and I
kicked my grandmother.) Answer: Suekos (Bakya. Wooden clogs (traditionally
shaken by the feet upon arriving home to dust it off)
93. No agew tubong, no labi tabla. (At daytime it is bamboo
tube; at night, a slab of wood.) Answer: Mat
94. Inmamot is Piro, manpappaway so ulo to. (Pedro him
himself, but his head is showing.) Answer: Nail
95. Walay baboy kon baleg, sanlabin ngalebngaleb. (I have a
large pig; it grunts all night long.) Answer: Traditional sugar mill
96. Walay baboy kon melag, usok a usok ed alar. (I have a
small pig; it keeps boring through the fence.) Answer: Needle
97. Andukey so ikol to nen say kabalgan to. Nagunuyan naupot
so ikol to lapud kasusupok to.
(Longer is its tail than its body; Soon its tail is no more because of boring
through.) Answer: Needle boring through cloth being mended
98. Nen manaakar si Inam, nakar mon kankansionan. (While your
mother was walking, to her you were singing.) Answer: Sow with her hungry
litter crying
99. Baston na kapitan, ag nabenbenan. (The captain's cane
cannot be held.) Answer: Snake
100. Anta anggapoy ulo to, makulin managto. (Although it has
no head, it diligently carries a load.) Answer: House post
101. Akatirakyang si Bikangkang; Us-usdungan nen Bikongkong.
(Sprawled on the floor is Bikangkang; Looking down at her is Bikongkong.) Answer:
Bamboo hut
102. Abayag la ran manaamong ag iran balot mantutungtong.
(They've lived together for some time, yet they've never spoken to each other.)
Answer: Photo/Picture
103. No isinger ko, unakar; on ukbaran ko, undeen. (When I tie
it, it takes a walk; when I untie it, it stays.) Answer: Shoes
104. Analiw ak na alilak, atagey nen siak. (I bought a slave;
he is taller than I.) Answer: Hat
105. Say atapew anggad beklew; say aralem anggad awak. (The
shallow part is up to the neck, the deep portion is up to the waist.) Answer: Kimona
and patadyong
106. Agto ka, dagi ka, ta itala. (Perch on my head, your legs
astride my shoulders, and off we go.) Answer: Palm rain cap and rain cape
107. Abong ed palandey; say lusek to saksakey. (A house in
the mountain has only one post.) Answer:
Mushroom
108. Diad onaan kandila; diad komadua payong la. (At first,
it is a candle; then it is an umbrella.) Answer: Mushroom
109. Aliwa ak ya kiew / Amayamay balet so bulong ko. (I am
not a tree / Yet I have many leaves.) Answer: Libro (Book)
110. Lawak ya maawaawang, alireg so amayamay. (A very
spacious field, snails abound.) Answer: Stars
111. Sakey batalyon ya sundalo, saksakey so pangulo. (A
battalion of soldiers; only one leader.) Answer: Stars
112. Gala irat ta sikay mangindat / Gala bayaw ta sikay
mangeliaw (Come, sister-in-law, and wink your eyes Come, brother-in-law, and
call out loud.) Answer: Lightning and thunder
113. Anggan apoy akaren ko, anggan ilog tabuyen ko. (Through
fire I will walk; into the river I will dive.) Answer: Shadow
114. Duaran bola-bolan timbey, nasabi ra ya anggad tawen.
(Two balls of thread can reach up to heaven.) Answer: Eyes
115. Nitan lay Nana Cion, mabiskeg no malukon. Sengeg na
kiew, sanga guyuren; atayak agto met tiponen. (Here comes Aunt Cion, strong
when pregnant / Tree trunks and branches she uproots, scatters; but when
scattered she doesn't gather them.) Answer: River
116. Walay lupa to, anggapoy mata to / Duaray lima to,
anggapoy sali to, Balet untetelek ya bukor to. (It has a face, but no eyes /
Two hands it has, but no feet / Yet it turns round and round by itself.) Answer:
Clock
117. Ngipen nen Nana Marta, asilsilasil ira. (Teeth of Aunt
Martha are jagged.) Answer: Saw
118. Mangakan ed eges to, mantai ed beneg to. (Eats on its
stomach, defecates through its back.) Answer: Hand plane
119. Walay kiew kon ilay, ag nakalab na tilay. (I have a
reclining tree, but a monitor lizard cannot climb it.) Answer: Smoke
120. Talora kamin sanaagi, ambalbalangay pagew mi. (Three
brothers are we, and very red breast have we.) Answer: Clay stove
121. Senyoran ambalbalanga, dodoroey Kastila. (A very red
lady is being tickled on the buttocks by a Spaniard.) Answer: Clay pot on a
clay stove
122. Kinablit koy ubong, kinmokaok sa lalong. Tinmaboy so
nganak, tinmekiab so sibong. (I touched the nest, and the cock crowed. The hen
dropped to the ground, the birdling flew.) Answer: Firing of gun
123. Imbantak koy iknol, kinmokaok ya tampol. (I threw an egg
into the ground and immediately it crowed.) Answer: Firecracker
124. Untitikyab mansanitsit, itsura toy sing andirit. (Flying
with a spluttering sound; looking like a dragonfly.) Answer: Airplane
125. Andokorokey ya patola, nasabi to ya anggad America. (A
very long luffa fruit can reach as far as America.) Answer: Telephone line
126. Sirad America, no unsabi dia aloto la. (Fish from
America arrives here already cooked.) Answer: Canned sardines
127. Duaran Americano, pawil-pawil ed campo. (Two Americans
(soldiers) keep returning to camp.) Answer: Runny nose
128. Linmabas si Pari Torena, insan to tinorok so dika.
(Father Torena passed this way and he punctured the grass.) Answer: Plow
129. Dinmalan si Tarzan, apalduay dalan. (Tarzan went this
way and the road was cleaved in two.) Answer: Zipper
130. Manbabangwit si lakik, manuta balet si baik. (My
grandfather is fishing, but my grandmother is vomiting.) Answer: Water pump and
well
131. Binantol koy kuldon nen lakik, makalangakang si baik. (I
tugged at the cord of Grandpa's pajama and my Grandma screamed.) Answer: Church
bell
132. Amputiputin/Maganganan/Atagtagey ya bii, kakanen toy
laman ton dili. (A very white/beautiful/tall lady is eating her own body.) Answer:
Candle
133. Puntin intanem diad abay na Birhen. (A banana trunk
planted by the side of the Virgin.) Answer: Candle
134. Anta kompas, tinubuay baras; anta baras, tinuboay rosas.
(Though it's a baton, a bar grew on it; though it is a bar, a flower sprouted
from it.) Answer: Lighted candle
135. Melamelag niy kumpare, makakalab lad tore. (Compadre is
still very tiny, yet he can ascend the tower already.) Answer: Ant
136. Inkahon, inlungon, ombangon, mansermon. (In a box, in a
coffin; when it wakes, it delivers a sermon.) Answer: Tongue
137. Walay sakey ya kiew ya masalsalompapak / Kinalab na
sakey ya makabat / Mataltalag so makasampat / Ed rosas ton mapalagapag (There
is an overspreading tree / That was climbed by a certain wise man / Very few
could catch the / Flowers that kept falling from it). Answer: Pari ya
mansesermon ed pulpito (Priest delivering a sermon from the pulpit)
138. Aliwan pari, nankapa; aliwan ari, nankorona. (Not a
priest, it has a cape; not a king, it wears a crown.) Answer: Lalong (Cock)
139. Taklay na pari, kolor toy sari-sari. (Priest's arm has
variegated colors.) Answer: Clothesline
140. Armas de karaho na pari, agirigir. (Blasted weapon of a
priest, it is full of scabies.) Answer: Yam
141. Otin nen lakik Dualdo, batilan ya anggad nguro. (Penis
of my grandfather Dualdo has warts down to its tip.) Answer: Palya (Ampalaya.
Bitter gourd)
142. Agolotong ya amin so laman to, saray mamarikit
makagusto. (His whole body is pockmarked, by maidens he is well-liked.) Answer:
Jackfruit
143. Niyogayog koy tagumbao, batik iray akukulaw. (I shook
the tagumbao tree; away ran the old women.) Answer: Mosquitoes
144. Nananak so Virgen, mapalagapag so lampin. (The Virgin
gave birth, and down fell the diapers.) Answer: Banana blossoms
145. Abong nen Tia Ines, aliber na botinis. (House of Aunt
Ines is surrounded by buttons.) Answer: Atis
146. Baston nen Laki Juan, ag nabilang. (Cane of Grandfather
Juan cannot be counted.) Answer: Rain
147. Say bolong to abaniko, say bonga to parasko, Pirdigones
balet so bukel to. (Its leaf is a fan, its fruit is a flask, but its seeds are
bullets.) Answer: Papaya
148. Kinampuso, kinampuso, kakaney bulay Mayo. (Heart-shaped,
heart-shaped, it's eaten in the month of May.) Answer: Mango
149. Siran buldog, walad dalem na baug. (Bulldog-like fish is
under a covering of skin.) Answer: Mango seed
150. Diad onaan katat ya puro; diad kumadua laman ya tua.
Diad kumatlo katat ya bago-baguan, ya say bilay to so amonggosan. (The first is
pure leather; the second is real flesh; The third is feathery leather in which
its life is wrapped.) Answer: Mango fruit
151. Pirimero anlemek; pidua anawet; pitlo amputi; pipat
alak. (The first is soft; the second is hard; the third is white; the fourth is
wine.) Answer: Coconut fruit
152. Senyoran ambalbalingit, walad otel na sabit. (A
sweet-smelling lady is embedded among thorns.) Answer: Pineapple
153. Biin magangana, aliber na espada. (A beautiful woman is
surrounded by swords.) Answer: Pineapple
154. Aliwan ayep, aliwan tuo, apatira'y suso to. (Not an
animal, not a person, has four breasts.) Answer: Buksot (Native square basket
with four pointed corners)
155. Sira'd Bayombong, apatiray tumbong. (Fish from
Bayombong/has four buttocks.) Answer: Buksot (Native square basket with four
pointed corners)
156. Wadia la'y inawit; andini dia'y angawit. (Here now is
the object fetched; not yet in is the one who fetched it.) Answer: Picking
coconut fruits
157. Primero linggisan; pidua lakapan. Pitlo yesyesan; pipat
paltugan. (First, it's stealing glances; second, it's hugging. Third, it's
wrestling; fourth, it's shooting.) Answer: Climbing a coconut tree to gather
fruits
158. Niman la, nitan la. (There it goes, here it comes.) Answer:
Anduyan (Duyan, Hammock)
159. Kinahon-kahon, kinaban-kaban, Ag anta'y panumbukan.
(Like a box, like a chest / One can't tell where it's locked.) Answer: Bamboo
pole
160. Puso'y balulaki, gatas na marikit, payak na andirit / No
sikaran ami'y manlaktip / Magmaliw iran saksakey. (Heart of a young man, milk
of a maiden Wing of a dragonfly When mixed all together They become just one.) Answer:
Betel chew
161. Talura kamin sanaagi / Nen tinmubong kamid simbaan /
Naduruma so kulor mi / Nen umpaway kami / Saksakey lay kulor mi. (We are three
siblings / When we entered the church / We had different colors / When we came
out / We had just one color.) Answer: Betel chew
162. "Er" aliwan dagem. "Nex" aliwan
ubong. "To" aliwan duara. ("Er" but it's not air.
"Nes" but it's not a nest. "To" but it's not two.) Answer: Ernesto
163. "Lan" aliwan dalin. "Got" aliwan
kanding. "Se" aliwan dayat. ("Lan but it's not land.
"Got" but it's not a goat. "Se" but it's not sea.) Answer: Langotse
(Sack)
164. Ay salo! Ay Ama! Ay agi! (Oh, my goodness! Oh, Father!
Oh, Brother!) Answer: Salomagi (Tamarind)
165. "Bang!" kuantod tagey; "gera!" kuay
ebat ed leksab. ("Bang!" sounds from above; "Gera!" (war)
comes the reply below.) Answer: Banggera (Kitchen bamboo drying rack)
166. Melamelag ni'y kumpare, makasegep la'd tore. (Compadre
is still very small. / He can now climb the tower.) Answer: Ant
167. Wala'y kumparek ya melamelag, maksil ya onkalab. (I have
a tiny compadre who is strong in climbing.) Answer: Ant
168. Wala'y baboy ko, singa pasak so bago to. (I have a small
pig; it's back is like nails.) Answer: Jackfruit
169. Wala'y baboy kon melag, pasak ya ami'y beneg. (I have a
small pig; its back is all nails.) Answer: Jackfruit
170. Tobong no agew, tabla no labi. (Bamboo pole at daytime,
wooden board at night.) Answer: Mat
171. No agew tubong, no labi bulong. (At daytime it is a
bamboo pole; by night it's a leaf.) Answer: Mat
172. Amputiy buek to no melag ni, ambalanga no baleg la. (Its
hair is white when still small; red when bigger.) Answer: Corn
173. No melag ni Amerikano. No balulaki Kastila. No baleg la
Negro. (When small it's an American. When a young man it's a Spaniard. When big
it's a Negro.) Answer: Duhat (Black berry)
174. Aliwan ayep, aliwan tuo, balet mangay dika. (Not an
animal, not a person, but eats grass.) Answer: Palot (Scythe)
175. Amayamay kamin sanaagi, saksakey so balkes mi. (We are
many siblings, but we have only one belt.) Answer: Broom
176. Anta oring, tawintawin. (Although it's charcoal, it
hangs suspended.) Answer: Duhat (Local black berry)
177. Abong nen Tia Ines, aliber na butonis. (House of Aunt
Ines, surrounded by buttons.) Answer: Corn on the cob
178. Ulo to ayep / Say kabalgan to kiew / Say ikol to too
(Its head is an animal / Its body is a tree / Its tail is a person. Answer: Toon
manbabaka (Man plowing with a carabao)
179. Dalin ya amputi / Binin andeket Intanem na lima / Inaniy
sangi tan mata (White soil / Black seed / Sown by the hand / Reaped by
mouth and eyes) Answer: Papel tan lapis, insulat tan binasa (Paper and pencil,
writing and reading)
180. Olnos lan olnos / Sanga lang sanga /
Ag balet mambunga (Always bearing shoots / Always branching out /Yet bears no
fruit.) Kawayan (Bamboo)
181. Taloran kamin sanaagi. Nen tinmubong kamid simbaan,
nandoroma so kolor mi. Nen ompaway kami, saksakey lay kolor mi. (We are three
siblings. When we entered the church, we have different colors. When we got
out, we only had one.) Answer: Gagalen (Betel nut quid)
182. Papil ya birdi, puso'y balolaki, gatas na marikit.
(Green paper, Heart of a bachelor, Milk of a maiden.) Answer: Gagalen (Betel
nut quid)
183. Walay asok ya kiskis, Tirakiang no ombatik. (I have a
hairless dog, that runs belly up.) Answer: Baloto (Boat)
184. Timmubon singa masitas. Nambulong ag binmuskag.
Nambunga ag nanrosas. (Grew like a plant. Had leaves that didn't spread out.
Bore fruit without a flower.) Answer: Agoo (Agoho Tree)
185. Okis to, iyan to. (Its peel is also its content.)
Answer: Lasuna (Onion)
186. Walay duaran dereweg co. No ibolos cora, maree-reen
ira. No isinger cora, ompasiar ira. (I have two carabaos. When I let them go
free, they are behaved. When I tie them up, they go out and roam around.)
Answer: Sapatos (Shoes)
187. Iner man ya dalan so pan-aabetan da, man-aanguban ira.
(No matter what road they bump each other into, they kiss.) Answer: Gilata
(Ant)
188. Linmaac ed sicayo, agsitaboy-taboy cayo. (I went to
your place, you jump all over it.) Answer: Pato (Duck)
189. Paltac na aso, napnoy ricado. (Dog's testicles, full of
ingredients.) Answer: Bayawas (Guava)
190. Man-aanak so Virgen, mankipaplag so lamping. (While the
Virgin is giving birth, diapers keep falling off.) Answer: Puso (Banana
blossom)
191. Señoran ambalbalanga, walad dalem na binaca. (Bright
red lady, inside a hole?) Answer: Kamoteng kahoy (Cassava)
192. Masam-samit, walad pegley na sabit. (Sweet inside the
middle of thorns.) Answer: Langka (Jackfruit)
193. No labi pindang, no agew tubong. (Butterflied dried
fish by day, tube by night.) Answer: Ikamen (Mat)
194. Parin masiken, acayurong ed lasong. (Old priest seated
on a mortar.) Answer: Kasoy (Cashew)
195. Manti-tipak-ac, agnarengel na ibak. (I am clapping, but
my partner can't hear it.) Answer: Mata (Eyes)
196. Nu melag ni, micasi ni; no baleg la, mamatey la. (When
still small, it makes a plea; when already big, it kills.) Answer: Balite
(Banyan tree)
197. No melag ni, man-aysing ni; no baleg la, manlakseb la.
(When still small, wears a dress; when already big, undresses.) Answer: Labong
(Bamboo shoot)
198. Anem ira'n san-aagi, saksakey so balkes da. (They are
six children; they share one belt.) Answer: Pinongo ya pagey (Pungo: A local
unit of unhulled rice grains)
199. Arawi ni'y sigbat, aralem la'y sugat. (The machete's
cut is still far away, the wound is already deep.) Answer: Sangi (Mouth)
200. Dia'd dalem na salming, wala'y prinsesan masansanting.
(Inside a mirror lies a princess pretty and fair.) Answer: Mata (Eyes)
201. Nalikna tayo, balet ag nanengneng. (We can feel it, but
can't see it.) Answer: Dagem (Wind)
200. Saksakey so nilooban, talora so pinawayan. (Entered
through just one (hole), but we exited through three.) Answer: Kamisita (Sando
shirt)
201. No melag ni, kandila; no baleg la, tabla. (When it is
still small, it's a candle; when it is already big, it is wood.) Answer: Bulong
na ponti (Banana leaf)
202. Manaacarak, mantitelacac. (While I walk, I leave
something behind.) Answer: Bacat (Footprint)
203. Mapatar ya dalin, tinoboay garing. (Plain earth has
grown ivory.) Answer: Ngipuen (Teeth)
204. Dinan yan pinalsay Dios ya loob to et tabla tan say
paoay to et equet. (What creature of God is smooth inside but like a net
outside?) Answer: Cabatite/Patola (Luffa fuit)
205. Dinan yan pinalsay Dios ya say kinan to et maingal?
(What creature of God, having eaten, makes some noise?) Answer: Abong (House)
(The foregoing is an expansion of the initial list
made by Maria Dyniel G. Ignas, Hydee G. de Vera (HUMSS-Psalms); Ronie Cayabyab,
Ariel Mosada, Joylyn Almojen, Jonah de Vera, Ahrujubelle Espiritu, Charlyn
Malbog, Missy Kyla Sapalan, Desiree Junio, Joanalyn Almuete, Beverly Joyce
Baretto, Jessah Rebussura, Marianne Feliciano, and Edgardo Macabulos of
Bayambang National High School, with additional riddles from Oscar Ora, Lorenzo
Cyr Bancolita, Valentine Garcia, Santiago Villafania, "Lingayen" book
by Arabella Ventenilla Arcinue, and from the 1983 research of Dr. Perla S.
Nelmida, "Pangasinan folk literature," Ph.D. Dissertation, University
of the Philippines.)
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