This popular Tagalog nursery rhyme/folk song identifying the abundant fruit and vegetables grown around a traditional 'bahay kubo' or nipa hut
is well known by Pinoys of all ages. However, when asked to describe what each one looks and/or tastes like, I was suprised to find out that a
vast majority (including moi!) are not even aware of WHAT they were mostly singing about ...!

This gallery-in-progress is therefore a tribute not only to the lowly nipa hut but also to the farmed vegetation from this mostly agricultural
country that will be identified in the order as it appears in the song as I encounter and capture each subject matter.

"Bahay kubo, kahit munti ... ang halaman doon ay sari-sari.
Singkamas at talong, sigadilyas (or sigarilyas/cigarillas) at mani ... sitaw, bataw, patani.
Kundol, patola, upo’t kalabasa ... at saka mayroon pang labanos, mustasa.
Sibuyas, kamatis, bawang at luya ... sa paligid-ligid ay puro linga".

Veeeeery Rough and Literal Translation (with side comments in parenthesis) - don't laugh, now! :

"Oh nipa hut, though lowly (read: simple) may it be ... the vegetation around nevertheless are varied.
Jicama (or yam bean) and eggplant, winged-bean and peanuts ... string bean, hyacinth bean, lima bean.
Wax/white (or winter melon) gourd, sponge gourd (NB: good for loofah making!), white pumpkin (or bottle/long gourd) and squash
... there are even white radish, mustard.
Onions, tomatoes, garlic and ginger ("pang-gisa mix!")... and all around are full of sesame (or gingely-oil/teel)".

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