"In Bahay Kubo, there is an herb and plant for every disease the
human body may be afflicted with"
human body may be afflicted with"
One of the oldest and most popular Philippine folk song is Bahay Kubo (Nipa Hut). It is traditionally taught to most Filipino children at a young age, usually by their mother.
The song's diatonic melody and walts-like rhythm suggest European influences. The lyrics include plants which are not indegenous to the Philippines, such as peanuts (mani), eggplant (talong), and mustard (mustasa). These foreign elements could mean that the folk song originated or evolved during colonial times.
Its central theme is based on the bahay kubo or nipa hut, a traditional indigenous house made from tied bamboos as its foundation and thatched roof using dried nipa/anahaw leaves. But the message it partakes to its listeners is etched mainly on its central lyrics. As the song mentions a variety of Philippine vegetable crops planted around the Bahay Kubo, the listeners are subliminally drawn to a more healthy lifestyle practice through organic health eating. This is probably the reason why the song is very popular in most Filipino households because it instills an important value, especially among Filipino children – a self-sustainable healthy living with greens.
The most significant features of the folk song is not really the Nipa Hut but what it symbolizes - the humble vegetables of different kinds for healthy food consumption and also as a traditional medicinal plants for the family and the people.
Also, in Bahay Kubo, there is an herb and plant for every disease the human body may be afflicted with. Certainly, the sari-saring halaman in the said Bahay Kubo can be used for food and medicine too - enhance our body's immune system and may help prevent disease, aid in recovery from diseases and suppress aging.
"Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food." These were the words of Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, in 400 BC, which is being realized in today's new emerging type of foods - fast foods.
"Our nature, our food, our cure" - the true essence of Bahay Kubo.
The song's diatonic melody and walts-like rhythm suggest European influences. The lyrics include plants which are not indegenous to the Philippines, such as peanuts (mani), eggplant (talong), and mustard (mustasa). These foreign elements could mean that the folk song originated or evolved during colonial times.
Its central theme is based on the bahay kubo or nipa hut, a traditional indigenous house made from tied bamboos as its foundation and thatched roof using dried nipa/anahaw leaves. But the message it partakes to its listeners is etched mainly on its central lyrics. As the song mentions a variety of Philippine vegetable crops planted around the Bahay Kubo, the listeners are subliminally drawn to a more healthy lifestyle practice through organic health eating. This is probably the reason why the song is very popular in most Filipino households because it instills an important value, especially among Filipino children – a self-sustainable healthy living with greens.
The most significant features of the folk song is not really the Nipa Hut but what it symbolizes - the humble vegetables of different kinds for healthy food consumption and also as a traditional medicinal plants for the family and the people.
Also, in Bahay Kubo, there is an herb and plant for every disease the human body may be afflicted with. Certainly, the sari-saring halaman in the said Bahay Kubo can be used for food and medicine too - enhance our body's immune system and may help prevent disease, aid in recovery from diseases and suppress aging.
"Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food." These were the words of Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, in 400 BC, which is being realized in today's new emerging type of foods - fast foods.
"Our nature, our food, our cure" - the true essence of Bahay Kubo.
BAHAY KUBO
The Philippine Medicinal Plant Song
Bahay kubo, kahit munti
Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari.
Sinkamas at talong, sigarilyas at mani
Sitaw, bataw, patani.
Kundol, patola, upo't kalabasa
at saka mayroon pang labanos, mustasa
Sibuyas, kamatis,bawang at luya
at sa paligid-ligid ay liñga.
The Philippine Medicinal Plant Song
Bahay kubo, kahit munti
Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari.
Sinkamas at talong, sigarilyas at mani
Sitaw, bataw, patani.
Kundol, patola, upo't kalabasa
at saka mayroon pang labanos, mustasa
Sibuyas, kamatis,bawang at luya
at sa paligid-ligid ay liñga.
Source: UNIWELL