Folk Sayings

1. Sigi’g pilì, sa pinilian paulì.
It was a comment made by a certain person to her neighbor who has chosen a partner whom she frowned at. She said that it is just a kind of a lesson not to be too much discriminating. As I understand this could be applied to anything else. We must not be too much choosy and discriminating for at the end we fall on the least. It is also a lesson of taking the opportunity when it comes, for what would follow might be worse than the first.

2. Ang gabà dili sama sa sili nga mohalang dayon.
The consequence of our actions may not be necessarily immediate. This is a lesson to be vigilant or to be watchful for our actions. There are people in the neighborhood who seemed to be fortunate even if they have done something evil. Then their neighbors would only say that their trouble would come but not yet at the moment. This could also be applied to the corrupt politicians in which the people looked forward for justice.

3. Ang magdalî, magkabalî-balî.
I remember a saying, “haste make waste.” Some of our townsfolk also have similar saying, “ang magdali magkabali-bali.” It is a sort of a reminder to be careful in what we do. But some would just realize the truth behind the saying after experiencing the result of hurrying the work. Thus, it must be used as a precaution to make things in order.

4. Ang mag-antos, masantos.
This is commonly heard as a way to appease the experienced sufferings. Many of our people who are active in the Church works tend to use this saying when they encounter difficulties in the ministry. This gives hope for many, but it must be noted that we must do away with self-inflicted suffering. We must take courage to face sufferings, but we must not seek for it to satisfy our inordinate motives.

5. Ang magpugas og hangin, mo-ani og bagyo.
This saying is a sort of a warning not to cause harm because the consequence or penalty is much bigger. This could also be an explanation if the consequence has already been experienced that it is the fruit of an evil deed previously done. Related to it is a saying which goes, “walay sukod sa balos” (there is no measurement for the revenge). Thus, for whatever bad things done, one would have to expect a worse outcome.