Damiana L.
Eugenio, the mother of Philippine Folklore compiled and edited what may very
well be considered as the most comprehensive collection of proverbs in our
country. There is a limited number of works like this in existence. She spent a
lifetime collecting pieces of folk literature that reveal our ancestors‘ wisdom.
When she gathered proverbs from various areas in our country, she declared that
our elders lived by simple, yet very meaningful rules of righteous living. In
fact, she asserted that even the Spaniards who colonized our country noticed
how proverbs formed part of the native spirit. Spanish missionaries were found
to have translated such proverbs and other oral expressions in Spanish in order
for their fellow religious people to learn our indigenous languages. By doing
so, they were able to interact with the early Filipinos their and eventually
introduce the Catholic faith.
Proverbs are brief instructive
expressions that suggest a specific action, behavior, or judgment. Referred to
by some scholars as ―the wisdom of many and the wit of one‖, they are commonly
written in the form of short assertions or poetic two-liners which have rhyme.
It is interesting to note that people are easily struck by proverbs when they
are woven in conversations or writings. This is perhaps because they have the
power to teach people the more essential truths about life and the complexity
of living. Compared to lengthy narrations, descriptions, or argumentations,
proverbs are able to effect quickly a change in view or disposition.
In Filipino,
proverbs are called salawikain or sawikain. They prescribe norms,
impart a lesson, or emphasize traditions and beliefs in a community. In the
anthology of Damiana L. Eugenio, she classified proverbs into six categories:
(1) proverbs expressing a general attitude towards life and the laws that
govern life; (2) ethical proverbs recommending certain virtues and condemning
certain vices; (3) proverbs expressing a system of values; (4) proverbs
expressing general truths and observations about life and human nature; (5)
humorous proverbs and (6) miscellaneous proverbs. Below are examples of each
category.
1. Proverbs expressing a
general attitude towards life and the laws that govern life
Walang ligaya sa lupa na di
dinilig ng luha. (Tagalog)
There is no earthly joy that is
not watered with tears.
Say liket ban-bantayey
ermen. (Pangasinan)
Joy is always guarded by
sorrow.
Ang kapalaran ko di ko man
hanapin, dudulog lalapit kung talagang akin. (Tagalog)
The good fortune which is
intended for me will come even without my seeking it.
2. Ethical proverbs
recommending certain virtues and condemning certain vices
Walang utang na di
pinagbayaran. (Tagalog)
No debt remains unpaid.
Dai mo pagpaagahan an
magigibo mo ngonyan. (Bikol)
Do not put off for tomorrow
what you can do for today.
Ayau mo in kahui pila‟a ha
kawa‟an mo bunga. (Tausug)
Do not cut the tree to get the
fruit.
3. Proverbs expressing a system
of values
Ti nasadot a baro cas carne
a nadangro. (Ilokano)
A lazy young man is like
foul-smelling meat.
Ang mga tulo singgot sa
taong mangguibuhaton paga bayran gayud sa guihapon. (Boholano)
Every
drop of perspiration of an industrious man will be rewarded accordingly.
Isa ka tuig nga tiponon, isa
ka takna wagwagon. (Hiligaynon)
It takes only a moment to
squander what took a year to save.
4. Proverbs expressing general
truths and observations about life and human nature
Huli man at magaling, ay
naihahabol din. (Tagalog)
A good thing is never too late.
Ti saan a matimtemec,
nauyong no macaunget. (Ilokano)
The quite person is slow to
anger but terrible when aroused.
Ing mayap a babai, maiguit
ya karing rubi. (Pampango)
A good woman is worth more than
rubies.
5. Humorous proverbs
Ang gugma sang tigulang daw
igui nga nagakamang. (Hiligaynon)
The love of an old man is like
a snail that crawls.
Ako kanhi cabalyero nga wala‟y
kabilinggan; pagdawat sa matrimonio, sa hinanali ng lawas mingniwang. (Cebuano)
I was formerly a gentleman
without a care at all, but when I got married, my body shrank and became small.
Kay tagal nanindahan,
kabili-bili‟y balindang. (Tagalog)
After shopping for a long time,
he ended up with a poor purchase.
6. Miscellaneous proverbs
(typically expressive of specific realities to a certain area)
Ing matudtud a pemangca e na
balu lebasa‟ ng sapa. (Pampango)
The sleeping boatman does not
know the streams he has passed.
Mapipia nu sumavat ka a
maysaosaod su sagap as canu caviden mu du calawangan q manalamad su among.
(Ivatan)
It is better to go home and
weave a net than to stay on the shore and watch the fish.
Dica agcapcapoy no bassit ti
inapoy; dica agnengnengneng no bassit ti diningdeng. (Ilokano)
Don‘t be too slow if there‘s
only a little rice; don‘t be too shy if there‘s only a little viand.
Our proverbs are not only witty
expressions. They are also our cultural treasures. As we continue to use them
in various spoken or written forms and as we explore ways of representing them
in graphic, musical, or dramatic modes, we facilitate their preservation. And
through these, we strengthen our identity as a people.
(Grade 7 English Learning Package pp 4-7)
