A Little Book of Filipino Riddles

In this charming collection, listeners are invited into the playful world of Filipino riddles, known locally as bugtong, burburtia, tugmahanon, and other names. Gathered by an early 20th‑century scholar from schoolchildren across Ilocos, Pangasinan, the Visayas, and more, the book offers each riddle in its original tongue followed by a clear English rendering. The introductions explain how these verbal puzzles have long been used to sharpen wit and pass down everyday knowledge.

Alongside the riddles, brief notes reveal the linguistic quirks and cultural references that make each puzzle unique, from coconut trees and rice terraces to everyday objects like needles and eggs. Listeners will hear the rhythm of children reciting the verses in Tagalog, Ilocano, Visayan and other regional languages, gaining a sense of the islands’ diverse voices. The collection not only entertains but also offers a glimpse into the oral traditions that linked generations before modern technology.