HAPPY VALLEY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

GRADE 7- ENGLISH SUBJECT

Words of Wisdom

Folkliterature 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 twoliners 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.

JOSE JR. B. ORQUIA

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

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 pilaa ha kawaan 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.

1. Proverbs expressing a general attitude towards life and the laws that govern
life

Isa ka tuig nga tiponon, isa ka takna wagwagon. (Hiligaynon)

Walang ligaya sa lupa na di dinilig ng luha. (Tagalog)

There is no earthly joy that is not watered with tears.

4. Proverbs expressing general truths and observations about life and human
nature

Say liket ban-bantayey ermen. (Pangasinan)

Huli man at magaling, ay naihahabol din. (Tagalog)

It takes only a moment to squander what took a year to save.

HAPPY VALLEY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

GRADE 7- ENGLISH SUBJECT

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.

JOSE JR. B. ORQUIA

ways of representing them in graphic, musical, or dramatic modes, we facilitate

their preservation. And through these, we strengthen our identity as a people.
___________________________________________________________________________

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 walay 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-biliy 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)
Dont be too slow if theres only a little rice; dont be too shy if theres 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

The People of the Philippines by the Philippine Tourism Promotions

Board
1 The Filipino is basically of Malay stock with a sprinkling of Chinese, American,
Spanish and Arab blood. The Philippines has a population of 70 million, and it is
hard to distinguish accurately the lines between stocks. From a long history of
Western colonial rule, interspersed with the visits of merchants and traders
evolved a people of a unique blend of east and west, both in appearance and
culture.
2 The Filipino character is actually a little bit of all the cultures put together. The
bayanihan or spirit of kinship and camaraderie that Filipinos are famous for is said
to be taken from Malay forefathers. The close family relations are said to have
been inherited from the Chinese. The piousness comes from the Spaniards who
introduced Christianity in the 16th century. Hospitality is a common denominator
in the Filipino character and this is what distinguishes the Filipino. Filipinos are
probably one of the few, if not theonly, English-proficient Oriental people today.
Pilipino is the official national language, with English considered as the country's
unofficial one.
3 The Filipinos are divided geographically and culturally into regions, and each
regional group is recognizable by distinct traits and dialects the sturdy and
frugal llocanos of the north, the industrious Tagalogs of the central plains, the
carefree Visayans from the central islands and the colorful tribesmen and
religious Moslems of Mindanao. Tribal communities can be found scattered across
the archipelago. The Philippines has more than 111 dialects spoken, owing to the
subdivisions of these basic regional and cultural groups.
4 Some 80 percent of the population is Catholic, Spain's lasting legacy. About 15
percent is Moslem and these people can be found basically in Mindanao. The rest
of the population is made up mostly of smaller Christian denominations and
Buddhist.
5 The country is marked by a true blend of cultures; truly in the Philippines, East
meets West. The background of the people is Indonesian and Malay. There are
Chinese and Spanish elements as well. The history of American rule and contact

HAPPY VALLEY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

GRADE 7- ENGLISH SUBJECT

with merchants and traders culminated in a unique blend of East and West, both
in the appearance and culture of the people of the Filipinos, or people of the
Philippines.

JOSE JR. B. ORQUIA

addition to his thousand eyes, has also eight hairy

heads. The epic Darangan speaks of Madale,
Bantugans brother and, Mabaning, Husband of
Lawanen, entering this section and retrieving the soul
of Bantugan.

The Origin of This World (Maranao)

from the Anthology of Philippine Myths by Damiana L. Eugenio
1 According to Maranaw folklore, this world was created by a great Being. It is not
known, however, who exactly is this great Being. Or how many days it took him to
create this world.
2 This world is divided into seven layers. The earth has also seven layers. Each
layer is inhabited by a different kind of being. The uppermost layer, for example,
is the place we are inhabiting. The second layer is being inhabited by dwarfs.
These dwarfs are short, plump, and long-haired. They are locally known as
Karibanga. The Karibanga are said to possess magical powers. They are usually
invisible to the human eye. The third layer of the earth which is found under the
sea or lake is inhabited by nymphs. These nymphs also possess certain magical
powers. It is stated in the story of Rajah Indarapatra that he met and fell in love
with the princess-nymph with whom he had a child.
3 The sky also consists of seven layers. Each layer has a door which is guarded
day and night by huge mythical birds called garoda. The seventh layer of the sky
is the seat of heaven which is also divided into seven layers. Every layer in the
sky is inhabited by angels. Maranaws believe that angels do not need food. They
all possess wings with which they fly.
4 Heaven which is found on the seventh layer of the sky is where good peoples
spirits go after death. Saints are assigned to the seventh layer while persons who
barely made it are confined to the lower most layer which is found at the
bottom of
Heaven
5 It is in heaven where we find the tree-of-life. On
each leaf of the tree-of-life is written the name of every
person living on earth. As soon as a leaf ripens or dries
and falls, the person whose name it carries also dies.
6 The soul of every person is found in tightly
covered jars kept in one section of heaven. This
particular section of heaven is closely guarded by a
monster with a thousand eyes, named Walo. Walo, in

Practice Makes Perfect!

Below is an exercise based on the contents of the article The Maranao Tribe from
Lake Lanao. Specify the verb, which will agree with its subject in each sentence.
Write your answers on a one fourth sheet of paper.
The Maranao, together with the Illanun and Maguindanao ____ 1. (is, are) an
indigenous Muslim group in Mindanao in southwestern Philippines. Their culture
and identity ____ 2. (reflects, reflect) general features of Southeast Asian tribes.
Each of these, however, ____ 3. (has, have) developed unique traditions. Every
historian or anthropologist who ____ 4. (studies, study) Mindanao tribes ____ 5.
(has, have) given common observations about the Maranao. Almost all Maranaos
____ 6. (is, are) Muslims, but some who live in the hills around Lake Lanao ____ 7.
(follows, follow) a version of Islam reflecting pre-Islamic beliefs and practices.
Many scholars ____ 8. (emphasizes, emphasize) that the Maranao, who ____ 9. (is,
are) the first inhabitants of the shores of Lake Lanao, still ____ 10. (inhabits,
inhabit) this region. The name Maranao ____ 11. (means, mean) "People of the
Lake" or "Lake Dwellers". Both ____ 12. (refers, refer) to the natives who settled
around Lake Lanao. Neither photographers or a writer ____ 13. (was, were) ever
able to capture in images or words the beauty of this lake. Lake Lanao, with the
Maranaos living around it ____ 14. (continues, continue) to be an attraction and
source of inspiration. More importantly, the spirit of the Maranaos ____ 15.
(thrives, thrive) because of its existence.
EXTRA EXTRA
Below is a students draft of an introduction for an article about diversity in the
Philippines. If a sentence observes proper subject-verb agreement, write C. If it
does not, rewrite the sentence. Write your answers on a half sheet of paper.
(1) Each tourist or guest who come to the Philippines is always amazed by our
cultural diversity. (2) Every island and region highlights a unique

HAPPY VALLEY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

GRADE 7- ENGLISH SUBJECT

adventure. (3) A variety of traditions, dishes, celebrations, and many

others are offered to both local and foreign travelers. (4) Our rich past and
our promising future are discovered by every guest almost every day and
everywhere in the country. (5) For this reason, tourism experts, along with
the Department of Tourism believes that Its more fun in the Philippines!

JOSE JR. B. ORQUIA

(6) Northern Philippines boast of its old Spanish flavor, from architecture to
culinary traditions. (7) There are much pleasure to discover in the coasts and
shorelines of Central Philippines. (8) In Southern Philippines, one discovers the
rich Islamic backgrounds of our country. (9) Nobody has ever experienced
boredom in hopping from one island to another. (10) Either pleasure or warm
insights is taken home by every visitor in our shores.