MYTHS

Bathala (God)

Like other countries all over the world, the belief in God is part of the ethnicity of Philippine history. Ancient Filipinos called their God as Bathala (Supereme Being and Creator) philippine mythsaddressed as Maykapal (Creator). Bathala, was the Supreme God of the ancient Tagalog and King of the Diwatas. Derived from the Sanskrit term Bathara Guru (for the same deity), the concept of Bathala, as with many beliefs in pre-Hispanic Philippines, owe a huge debt to the Hinduism of the Srivijayan Javanese. All of these beliefs were soon changed after the Spaniards set foot on the islands. Spanish missionaries used Bathala as a way for them to convert the Tagalogs into Christianity by associating him with the Christian God. They also did this to the other deities by replacing them with saints. Since then, the name "Bathala" was used to refer to the Christian God and is still used by Filipinos today, and God is even addressed as "Poong (Lord) Maykapal".

Bathala has counterparts in other parts of the Philippines. In Northern Luzon, Kabunian and Lumawig; in Southern Luzon, Gugurang and Mangindusa; and in the Visayas, Abba, Kan-Laon, and Kaptan.

FOLK SONG

Bicolano Folk Song-An Harong Bahay ko

The song tells about the small house made of native material, nipa. This must be a Bicol version of the Tagalog folk song Bahay Kubo.



An Harong Bahay ko

An harong ko nipa
Minsan ngani sadit
Manga maritas diyan nasasaray
Singkamas asin talong
Sigarilyas asin mani
Sitaw, bataw patani
Kundol, patola, upo kalabasa
Sa kadakul-dakul pang labanos
Mustasa, sibulyas, kamatis
Bawang saka luya
Sa palibot may langa.

Link:

Filipino Song

http://translate.google.com.ph/translate?hl=tl&langpair=en|tl&u=http://blog.cathcath.com/filipino-songs/filipino-folk-songs

RIDDLES AND REFLECTION

Riddles are expression in rhymes using one or two images that refer to a particular thing or object that has to be guessed. Riddles are used for entertainment, mental exercises and amusement.


Famous Filipino Riddles:
Nagtago si Pedro, labas ang ulo.
Pedro hides but you can still see his head.)
Answer: Pako - Nail


Sa araw ay bungbong, sa gabi ay dahon.
(Roll in the morning, leaf in the afternoon).
Answer: Banig - Mat


Hayan na, hayan na di mo pa makita.
(It's here, its here, but you can not see)
Answer: Hangin - Wind


Link:
Bugtong - Filipino Riddles:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Bugtong_Filipino_Riddles_
Bugtong - Filipino Riddles II:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Bugtong-Filipino-Riddles-II