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Friday, November 30, 2012

Two Versions of a Fun Rhyme about Andres Bonifacio

In celebration of the one-hundred and forty-ninth anniversary of the birth of Andres Bonifacio, we might recall a Tagalog fun rhyme about him that is part of our childhood memories. One of the most popular versions of this rhyme follows:

"Andres Bonifacio, 'atapang 'a tao.
'Aputol 'a kamay, hindi 'atakbo.
'Aputol 'a paa, hindi 'atakbo.
'Apugot 'a ulo, hindi 'atakbo.
'Aputol a uten, atakbo atulin."

TRANSLATION:

"Andres Bonifacio, a brave person
His hand gets cut off, he does not run.
His foot gets cut off, he does not run.
His head gets cut off, he does not run.
His penis gets cut off, he runs very fast."

Another version alters the last two lines:

"Andres Bonifacio, 'atapang 'a tao.
'Aputol 'a kamay, hindi 'atakbo.
'Aputol 'a paa, hindi 'atakbo.
'Apatak 'a kalamansi, 'Atakbo atulin.' 

TRANSLATION:

"Andres Bonifacio, a brave person
His hand gets cut off, he does not run.
His foot gets cut off, he does not run.
With a drop of calamansi, he runs very fast."

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