Filipino Riddles are statements that are intended to be brain-teasers which is composed of stanzas and has a certain measure and rhyme.
These local riddles are intentionally cloaked in ambiguous phrases to stimulate a person to think about the answer to a perplexing question. An answer to a "Bugtong" is usually a common object, animals or plants.
The exact origin of Filipino Riddles is unknown, but some of them are native and some can be traced back during the Spanish colonial period in the country.
Here are some example of Filipino riddles and it's corresponding answer.
Tagalog Riddle: Isang balong malalim, punong-puno ng patalim.
English Translation: A deep well that is full of chisels.
SAGOT: bibig/mouth
Tagalog Riddle: Dalawang batong maitim, malayo ang dinarating.
English Translation: Two black stones that reach far.
SAGOT: iyong mata/your eyes
Tagalog Riddle: Dalawang balon, hindi malingon.
English Translation: Two wells, which you cannot turn to look at.
SAGOT: iyong tainga/your ears
Tagalog Riddle: Naligo ang kapitan, hindi nabasa ang tiyan.
English Translation: The captain took a bath without his belly getting wet.
SAGOT: bangka/canoe
Tagalog Riddle: Dalawa kong kahon, buksan walang ugong.
English Translation: My two boxes are opened without a sound.
SAGOT: iyong mata/your eyes
Tagalog Riddle: Limang puno ng niyog, isa'y matayog.
English Translation: Five coconut trees, one stands out.
SAGOT: daliri/fingers
Aling ibon dito sa mundo ang lumilipad at sumususo ang anak?
Which bird in this world flies yet suckles its young?
SAGOT: kabag/fruit bat
Nang hatakin ko ang baging, nagkagulo ang mga matsing.
When I tugged on the vine, the monkeys went crazy.
SAGOT: kampana/ large bell
Ako'y may tapat na kaibigan, Saan man ako magpunta kasama ko kahit saan.
I have a loyal friend who is always with me wherever I go.
SAGOT: anino/shadow
Hindi hari, hindi pari suot niya ay sari-sari.
Not a king, not a priest but wears an assorted clothes
SAGOT: sampayan/clothesline
Langit sa itaas, langit sa ibaba, may tubig sa gitna.
Heaven above, heaven below, water in between
SAGOT: niyog/coconut fruit
Bahay ni Ka Huli, haligi'y bali bali, ang bubong ay kawali.
House of Brother Huli, it's pillars are broken, roof like a cooking pan.
SAGOT: alimango/mud crab
Bahay ni Sta. Ines, punung-puno ng perdigones.
House of St. Ines, full of *perdigones
SAGOT: Papaya/Paw Paw
Ang kampanilya ni Pining, laging mapula sa tingin.
Bells of Pining, always rosy to look at.
SAGOT: makopa/Wax Apple / Malay Apple
Nagsaing si Insiong, nasa ibabaw ang tutong.
Insiong cooked a rice but the burnt crust is at the top.
SAGOT: bibingka/ Rice Cake*
Ang ulo'y kabayo, liig ay pari, ang katawan ay uod, ang paa'y lagari.
It has head of a horse, neck of a priest, torso of a worm and feet like a saw.
SAGOT: balang/locust
Baboy ko sa pulo, ang balahibo'y pako.
sagot: langka
My pig from an island, it's bristle made with nails
SAGOT: langka/Jackfruit
Kung patay ay kabuhayan, kung buhay ay kamatayan.
When it's dormant it brings life, when it's alive, it brings death.
SAGOT: bulkan/Volcano
Walang sala'y iginapos, tinapakan pagkatapos.
Without a fault yet tied up, then trampled afterwards.
SAGOT: sapatos/ shoes
Bumili ako ng alipin, mataas pa sa akin.
I bought a slave that is taller than me
SAGOT: salakot/Salacot*
*Filipino wide-brimmed hat made of dried nipa palm.
Maliit pa si Nene, marunong nang manahi.
Nene is still a child, already knows how to weave.
SAGOT: gagamba/spider
Hinila ko ang baging, nagtatarang ang matsing.
I pulled the vine, the monkey went bananas.
SAGOT: trumpo/top
Isda ko sa Mariveles, nasa loob ang kaliskis.
My fish from Mariveles, inside are it's scales.
SAGOT: sili/ Pepper
Araw-araw namamatay, taun-taon nabubuhay.
It dies everyday, It lives every year.
SAGOT: kalendaryo/ Calendar
Kung araw ay bungbong, kung gabi ay dahon.
In daylight it's a roll, at night a leaf
SAGOT: banig/ Mat
Itinapon mo na, bumabalik pa.
Even if you throw it away, it comes back.
SAGOT: yoyo/Yoyo
Isang butil na palay, sakop ang buong bahay.
A grain of rice that occupies the entire house.
SAGOT: ilaw/ light bulb
Abot na abot ng tingin, hindi mo naman marating.
Just within range of vision, yet unreachable.
SAGOT: langit/ sky
Wala pa ang giyera, wagayway na ang bandera.
The battle hasn't commenced yet, already waving the flag of surrender.
SAGOT: dahon ng saging/ banana leaves
Narito na si Katoto, may dala-dalang kubo.
Here is Katoto, carrying a nipa-hut on his back.
-Answer: pagong/ turtle
Kaibigan kong payat, lumuluha kung lumakad.
My scrawny friend, weeps when he stride.
SAGOT: pluma/ Pen
Lumuluha walang mata, may buhay walang hininga.
It weeps without eyes, has life without a breath.
SAGOT: kandila/ candle
Dalawang katawan, tagusan ang tadyang
Two lanky bodies, ribs are exposed.
SAGOT: hagdan/ ladder
sources:
http://tagaloglang.com/philippine-litera...no-riddles
http://www.squidoo.com/bugtong-na-may-sagot
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Filipino Riddles (Bugtong)
Filipino Riddles (Bugtong) 
