A Little Book of Filipino Riddles Part 19

House

The roof of a house is built before the walls.

168.

Naligo ang Kapitan hindi binasa ang tiyan.

(Tag.) Sahig

 

The Captain took a bath, but did not wet his belly.

Floor

When being scrubbed with water, the bambu is as promptly dry as a duck's back.

168.

Hindi hayop, hindi tao nag ngangalan nang Tranquilino.

(Tag.) Trangk'a nang pinto

Not animal, not man; its name is Tranquilino.

Lock of door

Mere resemblance in sound between Tranquilino, a personal name, and Trangka--a lock.

169.

Kung sino ang naunang umakiat siyang nahuli sa lahat.

(Tag.) Pagaatip

He who climbed first became the last.

Nipa thatching

In roofing the work begins at the lower part and ends at the ridge.

170.

Adda ay ayatec nga gayyem (amigo) ngem saanco a cayat a casango.

(Iloc.) Adigi

I have a loving friend but I do not wish to face him.

Post

A post in the house construction. Mothers punish naughty children by standing them in the corner facing the post.

171.

Quimmali siramari quimmagat.

(Iloc.) Adigi

Set into the ground, breaks through, and bites.

Post

A post in house construction meets the requirement. It is firmly planted, penetrates flooring, and clutches and holds a rafter or other pole.

172.

Atin cung metung a caballero pabanua yang makakabayo, dapot eya mamako.

(Pamp.) Pakabayu ning bubungan

I have a horseman who has been riding for a year but has not gone a bit.

Rider of bambu, over the ridge to keep the nipa from being blown away.

173.

Balubog nang ama mo, pina arawan co.

(Tag.) Palupo nang babay

I let the suns.h.i.+ne on your father's back; i.e. the sun s.h.i.+nes on your father's back.

The long poles at the roof crest of the house.

These poles are the "father's back;" they are directly exposed to the sun's rays.

174.

No omoli baro, no omolog balo.

(Iloc.) Atep

When it ascends it is new (young); When it goes down it is a widow.

Roof

175.

Minalemae nga agtacop binigatac met nga agpiguis.

(Iloc.) Tandoc

I mend it every evening, I tear it every morning.

Window